Solid Oxide Fuell Cell (SOFC) Program

To Advance Innovative Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Technology for High-Current, Low-Resistance, Low-Cost Electricity Generation

The Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) Program is advancing SOFC technology for efficient, low-cost electricity generation using domestic natural gas and/or coal-derived syngas. The program conducts research, development and demonstration to address technical challenges impeding the deployment of SOFC technology, which can advance U.S. grid reliability, resiliency and security. The program focuses on developing low-cost, low-total-resistance, higher-current systems for increased power generation, including efficient, cost-effective SOFC systems for natural gas distributed electricity generation. Such systems offer significant advantages, including efficiency exceeding 60% at low capital cost. The fuel versatility and reversibility of SOFC technology can produce efficient, low-cost electricity from natural gas and coal-based syngas, as well as high-purity hydrogen from water.

SOFC technology is expanding globally with new market opportunities opening in a variety of applications such as artificial intelligence data centers, distributed generation, telecommunications, telecom backup markets, banking, absorption chillers, power to chemicals and fuels, ships, vehicles, drones, sensors and more. The technology has not been fully tapped and has a promising future.

The NETL Reversible Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Program maintains a portfolio of research and development (R&D) projects that address the technical issues facing the commercialization of R-SOFC technologies and pilot-scale testing projects intended to validate the solutions to those issues. To successfully complete the maturation of the R-SOFC technology from its present state to the point of commercial readiness, the Program’s efforts are channeled through three key technologies, each of which has its respective research focus.

SOFC Operating Principle – click here

The NETL SOFC Program maintains a portfolio of research and development (R&D ) projects intended to prepare the SOFC for market applications, including efficient, low-cost electricity generation.

To achieve full commercialization potential, the SOFC Program is evaluating and scaling up developments that can achieve higher currents, with eventual demonstration in system configurations.

Research includes electrochemical optimization modeling and multiscale optimization through simulation and machine learning and systems analysis. The program prioritizes natural gas-based SOFC technology, which has diverse, practical applications in distributed electrical generation for use in data centers — a significant market — microgrids, charging and fueling stations, well-head power, and energy conversion networks.

The SOFC Program includes three major components:

Cell Development: SOFC electrochemical performance, durability and reliability are the key determinants in establishing the technical and economic viability of SOFC power systems. The cell components (the anode, electrolyte and cathode) are the primary research emphasis. The portfolio maintains a mix of near-, mid-, and long-term R&D projects at bench- and laboratory-scale.

Core Technology: Applied R&D is conducted on technologies — exclusive of the cell components — that are critical to the commercialization of SOFC technology. Efforts are focused on developing and implementing advanced technologies to improve the reliability, durability and robustness of the SOFC stack.

SOFC Systems Development: System developers are independently advancing unique and proprietary SOFC technology suitable for either syngas- or natural gas-fueled applications. They are responsible for validating technology evolving from the Cell Development and Core Technology R&D, cell development and manufacturing, scale-up of cells and stacks for aggregation into modules, hardware development, and manufacturing process development. The systems developers have the opportunity to determine relevant R&D topics based on their design-specific experience and needs and are held to a common set of performance and cost metrics. Also within the Systems Development key technology is a portfolio of projects focused on innovative concepts. These projects conduct bench-scale R&D on innovative SOFC stack technologies that have the potential to significantly decrease the cost of SOFC power systems by leveraging advancements in lower-cost materials, advanced manufacturing methods, and/or alternative architectures.

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NETL implements this effort as part of DOE’s Advanced Energy Systems Program.