US Seismic Systems Successfully Demonstrates Fiber Optic Intruder Detection System for Harbor Protection

CHATSWORTH, Calif., Aug. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- US Seismic Systems (USSI), a subsidiary company of Acorn Energy, Inc. (NADSAQ: ACFN) announced today it successfully completed a demonstration of its underwater harbor security system this month at a Lake Erie, PA, test site under a contract with Penn State's Electro Optic Center sponsored by the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), Crane, IN. USSI had  installed two fiber optic sonar arrays on the lake bottom to detect small craft attempting to enter a protected region of interest (ROI).  The USSI system positively detected 100% of the intrusion attempts at ranges up to 4 km.  USSI's equipment was part of a much larger integrated harbor security system called Harbor Sentinel, which included surface search radar, thermal imaging cameras and Automated Identification System (AIS) ship tracking information.  Click here for link to Penn State Electro-Optics Center article.

The USSI system demonstrated the feasibility of using a very low cost fiber optic underwater sonar array to provide automated tripwire and ROI alarms in a harbor environment without operator intervention.  In May, USSI achieved similar results during testing of the system in San Diego's Mission Bay.

"There are 360 US ports and harbors that conduct trillions of dollars commerce annually.  Many of these facilities, which are located in close proximity to large metropolitan centers handle a variety of highly toxic, flammable, and explosive materials," stated Jeff Grannan of NSWC.  "Damage to or destruction of containers storing these substances poses a vulnerability to critical US infrastructure, disruption of commerce, and endangerment to the surrounding population.  USSI's new sensor technology can be an effective force multiplier to assist those agencies tasked with the vital role of keeping America safe."  

"We were gratified to be selected to participate in this very important program, and were very excited that our equipment performed so well under the actual, real-life harbor intrusion scenarios," stated Jim Andersen, CEO of USSI.  "Our fiber optic sensor systems are designed for reliable, trouble-free operation in tough environments, such as in an oil well or at sea, and this highly successful test serves as just one more example of the advantages of our breakthrough technology over traditional, electronic-based sensor systems."

About US Seismic Systems Inc.

US Seismic Systems Inc. ("USSI"), formerly US Sensor Systems Inc., designs, integrates, manufactures, and sells fiber optic sensing systems and solutions for the Energy and Defense markets.  USSI utilizes all-optical fiber sensing technology for its state-of-the-art sensors.  USSI's proprietary optical fiber and electronics combine to form the sensor system.  It is designed to replace the legacy electronic-based sensor systems at a lower cost and with improved performance and reliability.  USSI's new fiber optic geophone was recently awarded the coveted 2010 Oil & Gas Industry Innovation of the Year Award by Frost & Sullivan, the world leader in technology, market, customer, and economic research. For more information visit the USSI website at: www.ussensorsystems.com.

About Acorn Energy, Inc.

Acorn Energy, Inc. is a holding company focused on technology driven solutions for energy infrastructure asset management.  Our four businesses in which we have controlling interests, improve the world's energy infrastructure by making it cleaner and less expensive to operate air pollution systems for coal and gas-fired power plants (CoaLogix), more secure by providing security solutions for underwater energy infrastructure (DSIT), more reliable by providing condition monitoring instruments for critical assets on the electric grid (GridSense) and more productive and efficient by increasing oil and gas production while lowering costs through use of ultra-high sensitive seismic tools for more precise pinpointing of oil and gas reservoirs (USSI). For more information visit www.acornenergy.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release includes forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. There is no assurance that CoaLogix, DSIT, US Sensor Systems or GridSense will continue to grow their respective businesses. A complete discussion of the risks and uncertainties which may affect Acorn Energy's business generally is included in "Risk Factors" in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Investor Contact:
Paul G. Henning
Cameron Associates
(212) 554-5462
[email protected]

SOURCE Acorn Energy, Inc.