Die Amis machens uns vor ! A0Q8FY

Advanced Lithium Ion Storage Systems Designed to Enable Smarter U.K. Electricity Distribution Networks

WALTHAM, Mass., Feb. 10, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A123 Systems (Nasdaq:AONE),  a developer and manufacturer of advanced Nanophosphate® lithium ion  batteries and systems, today announced that it will supply six Grid  Battery Systems™ (GBSs) to Northern Powergrid,  an electricity distribution network operator that delivers power to  more than 3.8 million customers in the U.K. The GBSs will be designed  for peak-load shifting and to manage fluctuations in voltage on the  U.K.'s power grid. Expected to be operational by the end of 2012, the  systems will be deployed as part of the Customer-Led Network Revolution  (CLNR), the U.K.'s largest smart grid project funded through the Office  of the Gas and Electricity Markets' (Ofgem) Low Carbon Networks Fund.

"The CLNR will evaluate a number of innovative network technologies to  accommodate increasing quantities of low-carbon loads and renewable  generation necessary to meet the U.K.'s climate change goals. One aspect  of this multifaceted project is to determine how the use of storage  technology may reduce peak loading on our network and thereby offset the  need for network reinforcement," said Jim Cardwell, head of regulation  and strategy at Northern Powergrid. "A123's battery energy storage  systems will showcase how such technology can be part of the U.K.'s  low-carbon future."

A123's GBS storage systems, which include the company's Smart Grid Domain Controller™,  are designed to provide Northern Powergrid with robust solutions to  more efficiently manage voltage regulation requirements to help maintain  grid stability and power quality as more clean energy resources are  added. The six GBSs that A123 will supply to Northern Powergrid include a  2.5MW system, two 100kW systems and three 50kW systems. Each will be  designed to maintain these power capabilities for up to two hours,  adding flexibility to the distribution network and helping to provide  consistent delivery of reliable power to customers.

"Grid operators around the world are faced with a variety of technical  hurdles when trying to add significant renewable capacity. In the U.K.,  distribution networks often have limitations that make adding high  concentrations of wind and solar difficult," said Robert Johnson, vice  president of the Energy Solutions Group at A123. "Battery energy storage  can overcome these challenges by efficiently managing the voltage  levels of the power network, and we look forward to working with  Northern Powergrid on the CLNR smart grid project, which we view as an  excellent opportunity for A123 to showcase the versatility and  performance of our GBS solutions."

About A123 Systems

A123 Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:AONE)  is a leading developer and manufacturer of advanced lithium-ion  batteries and energy storage systems for transportation, electric grid  and commercial applications. The company's proprietary Nanophosphate®  technology is built on novel nanoscale materials initially developed at  the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is designed to deliver  high power and energy density, increased safety and extended life. A123  leverages breakthrough technology, high-quality manufacturing and expert  systems integration capabilities to deliver innovative solutions that  enable customers to bring next-generation products to market. For  additional information, please visit www.a123systems.com.

The A123 Systems, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=6600

Safe Harbor Disclosure

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the  meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are  subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors. Among the factors  that could cause actual results to differ materially from those  indicated by such forward-looking statements are: changes or delays in   Northern Power Grid's development and implementation of the GBS  solutions in connection with the Customer-Led Network Revolution project, delays or inability of the GBS solutions or the Customer-Led Network Revolution project  to meet their intended goals and objectives, the ability of A123's GBS  storage systems to manage voltage regulation requirements of the power  network and to address Northern Power Grid's  needs in connection with  the Customer-Led Network Revolution project  , delays in customer and market demand for Northern Power Grid's  products and services, delays in the implementation of A123's GBS  solutions , delays in the development, production and delivery of A123's  products and solutions, adverse economic conditions in general and  adverse economic conditions specifically affecting the markets and  geographies in which A123 and Northern Power Grid operate and other  risks detailed in A123 Systems' quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the  quarter ended September 30, 2011 and other publicly available filings  with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking  statements reflect A123's expectations only as of the date of this  release and should not be relied upon as reflecting A123's views,  expectations or beliefs at any date subsequent to the date of this  release.