General info of the project
The European Union defines climate and energy policy as one of the most outstanding in its Energy Union strategy. In this context affordable, clean, and secure energy is something that Europe’s citizens have to expect. Achieving these aims sustainably requires technologies that reduce energy dependancy and emissions whilst enabling
us to use more renewable energy. SOFC technology is capable of doing that.
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Project title: Enabling mass market adoption of SOFC fuel cell systems
- Starting date: 01.09.2018
- End date: 01.09. 2021
- Project executor: Elcogen AS
- Grant no: 823620
Keywords: chemical engineering, production technology, process engineering, nanotechnology, stationary power generation, SOFC, SOEC, hydrogen, energy efficiency, atomic layer disposition, ALD, fuel cells, CHP systems, stationary power generation, natural gas, fuel flexibility, electrolysers, fuel cell systems.
Fuel cells in particular have the potential to reshape how the world is powered, allowing efficient, clean, and reliable off grid energy generation. They can help us sharply reduce our use of polluting fuels, moving from coal to cleaner fuel sources, and eventually to renewably generated hydrogen. This could dramatically reduce the world’s fossil fuel use and associated emissions. The implications are huge for power distribution, for energy bills, and most importantly for the environment.
SOFC technology offers higher efficiencies than other fuel cells and longer lifetimes, and their high temperature means they can reform fuel internally, so they can run on a wide variety of fuel sources including natural gas. Whereas other fuel cells require pure hydrogen as the fuel. SOFCs can produce electricity using existing gas transmission infrastructure, making them ideal for in-home or onsite electricity generation.
Challanges of Best-In-Class SOFC
The overall objectives of the project are to increase power output, double the cells’ lifetime and reduce costs
for stack and system producers. Also, Elcogen seeks to develop a detailed scale-up plan for mass productin of fuel cells.
Decrease the cell thickness by 40% to reduce material consumption. This also enables process improvements in the automated mass production process, such as significantly faster tape casting on the existing caster system by reducing drying time by 50%, achieving cost reductions through faster processing and lower material costs.
Implement atomic layer deposition (ALD) to increase single cell’s power output per cm² by more than 2.3 times and to decrease the cell’s area specific resisence (ASR) by more than 2 times compared to the closest cometitors. It also eliminates a screen printing and sintering stage, redusing processing time.
Carry out pilot testing and prepare commercialisation. Validate automated production in pilot tests at equipment manufacturers’ test site. Prepare commercialisation. Increase production speed 20 times.
Produce analysis and design for production scale-up. Implement semiautomated production at Elcogen’s plant. Develop detailed plan with costing and sourcing for fully automated cell production. Increase production capacity 5 times.
About the Company
Elcogen is the world’s most advanced manufacturer of ceramic anode-supported solid oxide cells and stacks
Elcogen’s proprietary cells and stacks deliver market-leading electrical efficiency and are positioned to achieve market-enabling lifetime and cost levels.
To date, we have commercialized two product generations and have sold our technology to 60+ industry-leading customers globally. Elcogen’s 18 years of SOC R&D are protected by several patent families, which cover the design and manufacturing of our cells and stacks.
“After realising the potential for fuel cells to be a dominating future energy technology, I founded Elcogen with the aim of developing the world’s best Solid Oxide Cell technology from the ground up.”
Enn Õunpuu
Founder and CEO, Elcogen
Research Development Network
Our business is founded on industry network and on the deep partnerships with core customers.
Our cell and stack solutions are designed in close collaboration with leading system integrators and are based on co-operative research and development with commercial and scientific partners.
Our development network includes over 20 strategic customers, universities and research centers worldwide.
Elcogen has participated in multiple European and regional R&D projects, including the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 programme and FP7, where it has developed a track record of successful project implementation.
Elcogen also works closely with large industrial partners and leading European research institutes.
