Ceres Power Holdings plc has signed contracts with Linde Engineering and Robert Bosch GmbH (Bosch) to start a collaboration to validate the performance, cost, and operational functionality of its solid oxide electrolysis (SOEC) technology.
The companies plan to prepare a two-year demonstration of a 1 MW SOEC system, starting in 2024, which will be located at a Bosch site in Stuttgart, Germany.
Its aim is to showcase that the technology provides a highly efficient pathway to low-cost green hydrogen.
Ceres has committed £100 million for the development of its SOEC technology. Its first 100 kW electrolyser module is currently on test and initial results are providing confidence that this technology can deliver green hydrogen at <40 kWh/kg, around 25% more efficiently than incumbent lower temperature technologies.
The companies are aiming to evaluate and qualify SOEC technology for large scale industrial applications.
The SOEC programme builds on Bosch’s experience of Ceres’ solid oxide fuel technology (SOFC) and the technology shares the same material sets, manufacturing process, equipment, and stack design. The demonstration represents an important validation of SOEC at a system level, which is a relevant basis for potential commercialisation.
Phil Caldwell, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ceres, commented: “The vision for our partnership with Linde Engineering and Bosch is to set a new industry standard for solid oxide electrolysers, leading to widespread adoption in industrial applications. By combining Ceres’ unique technology, Bosch’s strength in scaled manufacturing and Linde Engineering’s solid expertise hydrogen production, processing, distribution and storage, we will establish a partnership that can make our technology even more competitive and prepare it for mass market adoption at scale.”