Building on the success of their initial partnership, which led to the deployment of a 1MW SOEC system at Shell’s R&D facility in Bangalore, India, Ceres and Shell have embarked on a new phase of collaboration. This latest contract aims to develop a pressurised SOEC module design that can be scaled to hundreds of megawatts and seamlessly integrated with industrial plants for the production of sustainable future fuels.
The program will leverage key learnings and data gathered from the existing 1MW demonstration project, enabling the development of a commercially competitive and scalable solution that meets the evolving needs of the green hydrogen and synthetic fuels markets.
A crucial aspect of this collaboration is the significant efficiency gains offered by SOEC technology. By coupling with heat from industrial processes, SOEC systems can produce approximately 35% more hydrogen per unit of electrical energy compared to conventional methods. The project will explore pressurised systems that can drive further efficiency, performance, and integration with other processes, targeting a module-level efficiency of less than 36kWh/kg of hydrogen – a benchmark that aligns with the European Union’s Solid Oxide Electrolyzer (SOE) technology targets for 2030.
Phil Caldwell, Chief Executive of Ceres, emphasised the strategic importance of the collaboration with Shell, stating, “Our strategic collaboration with Shell continues to provide valuable insights, ensuring Ceres’ SOEC technology is well-positioned to meet our partners’ needs for the green hydrogen and synthetic fuels markets. Building on Ceres’ class-leading technology, our commitment to continuous innovation keeps Ceres’ commercial offering at the forefront of the industry in terms of simplicity, efficiency, and performance.”
As the global transition towards a sustainable energy future accelerates, partnerships like the one between Ceres and Shell are crucial for driving technological advancements and unlocking the full potential of green hydrogen solutions. By combining their expertise and leveraging cutting-edge SOEC technology, these industry leaders are paving the way for more efficient and scalable hydrogen production, ultimately contributing to the decarbonisation of industrial processes and the realisation of a greener, more sustainable future.