Shell looks at Bloom Energy's SOEC technology for hydrogen production - H2 View
Shell looks at Bloom Energy’s SOEC technology for hydrogen production | Power | H2 View
Shell is exploring the use of Bloom Energy’s solid oxide electrolyser (SOEC) technology for potential hydrogen production at its facilities.
The oil and gas major will work with Bloom to develop “replicable, large-scale” SOEC systems to produce hydrogen for “potential use at Shell assets.”
KR Sridhar, founder, Chairman and CEO of Bloom Energy, said the systems could represent a “potentially transformative moment for opportunities to decarbonise several hard-to-abate sectors.”
Hydrogen is a crucial element in refining processes, enhancing the quality of petroleum products and enabling the processing of various types of crude oils. Currently the majority of hydrogen used for refining is produced through unabated fossil fuel processes.
Shell has already been looking to electrolyser technology to decarbonise its existing refineries. In December (2023), Shell Deutschland signed a 100MW capacity reservation with ITM Power for its PEM electrolyser stacks for hydrogen production in Rhineland.
Read more: Shell reserves 100MW of ITM Power electrolyser stacks for German project
SOEC is a high-temperature electrolysis method for hydrogen production. Using a solid ceramic material as the electrolyte, electricity splits water under temperatures of up to 800oC. The temperature can significantly reduce the electrical energy required, making the process more efficient than low-temperature electrolysis.
Last May (2023), Bloom put a 4MW SOEC into operation at a NASA research centre in California, US, where the company claimed it could offer 20-25% more hydrogen per megawatt than commercially demonstrated low-temperature electrolysers.
Read more: Bloom Energy 4MW solid oxide electrolyser begins hydrogen production at NASA research centre
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Related Knowledge Center: ENERGY BASICS: hydrogen
Hydrogen, long seen as a theoretical if not practical alternative to petroleum-based transportation fuels, is once again having a day in the sun as industries promote “green hydrogen,” produced using renewable resources.