SOFC Accelerated - Development to Accelerate Field Demonstrations
The project aims to develop improved stack modules and integrated units (Topsoe PowerCores) based on ceramic fuel cells (SOFC), making them suitable for use in field demonstration projects in Europe and
Korea among other countries. This project will contribute decisively to bring Danish energy-effective technology much closer to the market.
Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology for efficient generation of power and heat attracts growing attention from the energy-related industry in Europe and Asia. Key SOFC features of scalable Combined Heat and Power (CHP) generation, high electrical efficiency and fast and controllable power modulation makes it attractive to include SOFC in a future stationary energy supply system, integrating numerous sources including natural gas, wind and solar energies. In addition, SOFC is highly reliable and can be used with a wide range of fuels and therefore shows great potentials for remote power generation and power generation in regions with unstable central power supply, as Significant research and development efforts both in Denmark and internationally are accomplished, and a market introduction within a few years is realistic. However, successful demonstration of the technology in realistic operation is needed and no widespread field tests of the SOFC technology could be made so far. This project will fill the development gap makingsuch field tests possible. The industrial partner, Topsoe Fuel Cell A/S (TOFC) is a manufacturer of cells, stacks, stack modules andintegrated hotbox modules (Topsoe PowerCore). TOFC is developing two products for stationary applications: A 1kW PowerCore for micro Combined Heat and Power (mCHP) and remote power and a stack module for Distributed Generation (DG) and CHP.
The project purpose is to improve SOFC cells, stacks, DG stack modules and PowerCores and verify their readiness for field tests in terms of performance, robustness, reliability, lifetime and cost. The project is divided into four work packages for the development and verification of cells, stacks, DG stack modules and PowerCores with a focus on reliable quality for field tests, and one work package on gathering feedback from other demonstration projects and perform additional external tests. The improved PowerCores and DG stack modules will be demonstrated with TOFC system integrator partners outside this project, for example in European projects or in bilateral cooperation, particularly in TOFC’s cooperation with SK in Korea. The main goal of the project is to improve mCHP PowerCores and DG stack modules currently available to reliable quality suitable for extensive field tests. In addition, the products’ sensitivity to foreseeable challenging conditions should be known and acceptable. The PowerCore efficiency should be demonstrated >66% and durability tested for > 10.000 hours. On the stack level, yield rates should be above 95%, and the path to commercial targets for stack production yield and cost should be visible. Finally, a pre-commercial cost < 3* the commercially viable cost should be proven. As a result of the project, it is anticipated that more extensive field demonstration based on the improved products will be started in Europe and Korea in 2015.
The project has achieved significant progress in relation to the manufacture of SOFC and SOEC cells and stacks. In the light of the promising results SOFC and SOEC technology came closer to the market. The last part of the project has completed a successful technology transfer from the SOFC to SOEC and it has become clear that the results can be used for applications in the SOEC electrolysis and at the same time to further research and development in the area. On a shorter aim the projects results will be used by Haldor Topsoe A / S to the commercialization of the SOEC technology.
Originally the project aimed to enable greater demonstrations of SOFC fuel cell technology for micro-CHP and larger generator sets. During the course of the project, the project company Topsoe Fuel Cell A / however stopped existing. The project then continued with a changed focus and with DTU as project manager and Haldor Topsoe A / S as a new participant. The part of the project which concerned the development and demonstration of Powercore for micro-CHP and fuel cell stack modules for large generator withdrew in this regard by the project, while the development of cells and stacks continued. The goal of the developed cell and stack technology was then applied to the SOEC electrolysis
Key figures
Category
Dokumenter
Participants
| Partner | Subsidy | Auto financing |
|---|---|---|
| Danmarks Tekniske Universitet (DTU) | 13,18 mio. DKK | 2,76 mio. DKK |
| TOPSOE FUEL CELL A/S | 21,80 mio. DKK | 32,75 mio. DKK |
| Teknologisk Institut | 0,15 mio. DKK | 0,15 mio. DKK |
