Industriepark Lausitz in Schwarzheide continues its growth trajectory with Sunfire joining the site as a new innovation-driven partner. The Dresden-based hydrogen company will build a test facility at the industrial park to further validate its highly efficient solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) technology. Commissioning of the facility is planned for the end of this year. The objective is to generate additional operational experience for deployment in large-scale industrial projects.
“With Sunfire, Industriepark Lausitz is gaining a global leader in hydrogen that is actively shaping the energy transition. This decision sends a strong signal for the innovative strength of our site. The test facility strengthens industrial value creation in the region and further enhances our industrial base,” says Jürgen Fuchs, Chairman of the Management Board of BASF InfraService & Solutions Lausitz GmbH.
The partnership underscores the growing importance of the Lausitz region as a transforming energy hub and as a location for future technologies.
“High-temperature electrolysis offers energy-intensive industries significant efficiency advantages in their decarbonisation efforts. With the test facility at Industriepark Lausitz, we gain valuable insights under real industrial conditions. The strong infrastructure, available areas, and industrial expertise on site enable practical long-term testing at industrial scale,” explains Christian von Olshausen, CTO of Sunfire.
SOEC technology operates at high temperatures of around 850°C and achieves electrical efficiencies of up to 89% LHV, AC. As a result, Sunfire’s SOEC electrolyzers enable lowest levelised costs of hydrogen (LCOH). As a pioneer in SOEC development, Sunfire has implemented the most industrial demonstration projects worldwide.