thyssenkrupp nucera and Fraunhofer Institute of Ceramic Technologies and Systems (IKTS) have agreed to work on commercialising high-temperature solid oxide electrolysis (SOEC) technology.
Fraunhofer IKTS has been carrying out SOEC R&D work for over 20 years and now with thyssenkrupp nucera, the pair want to take the “final steps” in taking SOEC towards industrial manufacturing and application.
Under the partnership agreement, a Fraunhofer IKTS-built pilot plant could be established as early as Q1 2025, to produce SOEC cells in small quantities.
Based on a gas-tight oxygen-ion-conducting ceramic electrolyte with screen-print electrodes and pressed chromium-based alloy (CFY) interconnectors, the partnership includes a license for where thyssenkrupp nucera could produce and use the CFY-based SOEC stack technology.
A major player in alkaline electrolysis, with contracts to supply the 2.2GW NEOM green hydrogen project among others, the German electrolyser firm has said SOEC will offer its customers an “extremely powerful technology.”
“With SOEC system solutions, we are consistently implementing our company’s growth strategy,” said Dr. Werner Ponikwar, CEO of thyssenkrupp nucera. “Through the strategic partnership with Fraunhofer IKTS, we are strengthening our hydrogen production portfolio with a second-high performance technology for industrial scale in addition to alkaline water electrolysis technology.”
SOEC is a high-temperature electrolysis method for hydrogen production. Using a solid ceramic material as the electrolyte, electricity splits water under temperatures of up to 800oC. The temperature can significantly reduce the electrical energy required, making the process more efficient than low-temperature electrolysis.
“In addition to the higher efficiency in electricity-to-hydrogen conversion, high-temperature electrolysis also offers the great advantage that CO2 can be actively extracted and converted together with green hydrogen into green synthesis gas and downstream production such as e-fuels,” said Prof. Dr. Alexander Michaelis, Director of Fraunhofer IKTS.
Dr. Christoph Noeres, Head of Green Hydrogen at thyssenkrupp nucera, said, “SOEC technology perfectly complements our technology portfolio…For our future SOEC system solutions, we can build on decades of experience in the development and scaling of electrolysis plants.”
Last May (2023), thyssenkrupp nucera revealed its 20MW alkaline electrolyser system as “Scalum,” paying homage to the module’s scalability.
Read more: thyssenkrupp nucera green hydrogen electrolyser to be branded Scalum
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