Elcogen, a producer of highly efficient solid oxide cells and stacks for fuel cell systems and electrolyzers, is partnering with global technology company AVL to develop solid oxide electrolyzer cell (SOEC) stack modules for MW-scale hydrogen production plants. This project brings together the R&D efforts of both partners in their respective IPCEI (“Important Project of Common European Interest”) Hy2Tech programs in Estonia/Finland and Austria.

AVL, headquartered in Graz, Austria, is one of the world’s leading mobility technology companies for development, simulation and testing in the automotive industry, and in other sectors such as rail, marine, and energy. AVL delivers concepts, technology solutions, methodologies and development tools for a greener, safer, better world of mobility and beyond. AVL has 12,200 employees at more than 90 locations and 45 Tech and Engineering Centers worldwide.

The partners will focus on scaling from small cell footprints to multi-megawatt modules. The solution will incorporate multiple Elcogen single SOEC stacks in a stack module which will enable industrial scaling of the technology. The collaboration combines Elcogen’s leading-edge technology in SOEC/solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) cells and stacks with AVL’s industry leading expertise in SOFC/SOEC system and stack module development.

SOEC technology enables intrinsic higher efficiencies compared to Alkaline, PEM or AEM electrolyzers. Moreover, when SOEC is coupled to external heat sources from industrial processes, efficiencies in the range of 90% and beyond can be achieved. This advantage makes SOEC the technology of choice in industrial hydrogen production and also in e-Fuel production, especially where the exhaust heat of the synthesis process can be used.