Sunfire GmbH from Dresden, a pioneer of electrolysis technology, has commissioned the next generation of high-temperature electrolysis as part of the HYPOS project. The Generation 1.0 is characterized by a higher efficiency and allows a higher production of hydrogen.
The new generation is being researched as part of the rSOC (Reversible Solid Oxide Cell for Industry) project. The project is part of the overall project HYPOS, in which the development of a model region for hydrogen in eastern Germany is pursued. The focus is on the supply of green hydrogen. This is to be obtained with the help of power-to-gas technologies from renewable energies. The electrolysis of water to hydrogen and oxygen is thereby an application. Electric energy is converted here directly and with very high efficiencies into chemical energy. The special technology of solid oxide cells (SOC-Solid Oxide Cell) for electrolysis and fuel cells enables connect both paths and perform a reversible conversion of electrical to chemical energy and back to a system. Within only 10 minutes, the operating mode can be changed from hydrogen production to electricity and heat production. The system thus achieves a higher capacity utilization per year and is more economically attractive. The generation 1.0 of the high-pressure temperature electrolysis achieves a production capacity of 50 Nm³ of hydrogen per hour with an input power of 180 kW DC. For this, it only requires 3.75 kWh of electricity per Nm³ of hydrogen. The previous generation 0.1 with 150 kW input power achieved a hydrogen production of 40 Nm³ / h. The system thus achieves a higher capacity utilization per year and is more economically attractive. The generation 1.0 of the high-pressure temperature electrolysis achieves a production capacity of 50 Nm³ of hydrogen per hour with an input power of 180 kW DC. For this, it only requires 3.75 kWh of electricity per Nm³ of hydrogen. The previous generation 0.1 with 150 kW input power achieved a hydrogen production of 40 Nm³ / h. The system thus achieves a higher capacity utilization per year and is more economically attractive. The generation 1.0 of the high-pressure temperature electrolysis achieves a production capacity of 50 Nm³ of hydrogen per hour with an input power of 180 kW DC. For this, it only requires 3.75 kWh of electricity per Nm³ of hydrogen. The previous generation 0.1 with 150 kW input power achieved a hydrogen production of 40 Nm³ / h.
“With the launch of these new powerful modules, we are reaching the next milestone in industrial commercialization of our electrolysis technology. With the high conversion efficiency, we make an important contribution to the energy transition in terms of sector coupling, “says Christian von Olshausen, CTO of Sunfire. A market launch is planned from 2021. During the weeks in the test operation, important target criteria were already achieved and an efficiency of> 80% could be proven.
With Air Liquide Research and Development GmbH and the German Aerospace Center, two other partners are involved in the project, ranging from industrial hydrogen production and marketing to expertise in the simulation and development of SOC components and system solutions tighten. All project partners are partners in the HYPOS consortium. In 30 projects, HYPOS is researching all aspects of the green hydrogen value chain in order to further increase the contribution of regeneratively generated hydrogen as a key energy source for the energy transition. The rSOC project is funded within the framework of the funding program
“Twenty20 – Partnership for Innovation” of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and has a total budget of approximately 1.9 million euros.
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