Photo by: Duane Daws
Fuel cell products provider Ballard Power Systems has appointed Randall MacEwen as president and CEO, effective October 6, replacing John Sheridan, who is retiring after serving as the company’s president and CEO since 2006.
Sheridan would continue to serve as an employee in an advisory capacity and on the board as a director until December 31, to support the transition process.
The appointment of MacEwen, who has extensive executive-level experience in the clean energy sector, followed a rigorous succession planning and comprehensive search process by the board.
He had previously served as executive VP of on-site hydrogen production company Stuart Energy Systems Corporation, CEO of manufacturer and installer of commercial solar systems Solar Integrated Technologies, and was founder and MD of clean energy consulting firm NextCleanTech.
MacEwen holds an Honours BA degree from York University, in Toronto, and a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Western Ontario.
Ballard, last month, launched a platinum-using fuel cell mini-grid electrification field trial in South Africa.
The company had partnered with platinum miner Anglo American Platinum, State-owned power utility Eskom and South Africa’s Department of Energy to conduct a 12-month trial in the Free State.
As part of the trial, 34 households would be powered using a methanol fuel cell prototype product developed for use in off-grid residential application where the cost of electrification through an expansion of the national grid may be cost or technically prohibitive.