Schlumberger New Energy, the CEA and Partners announced the European Commission’s approval for the formation of Genvia, a clean hydrogen production technology venture. In a unique private-public partnership model, Genvia combines the experience of Schlumberger and the CEA with VINCI Construction, Vicat, and the investment vehicle of the French Occitanie Region, l’Agence Régionale de l’Energie et du Climat (AREC).

Hydrogen is a versatile energy carrier and a key component of the energy transition for many countries targeting carbon neutrality by 2050. The new venture will accelerate the development and the first industrial deployment of the CEA high-temperature reversible solid oxide electrolyzer technology, as the most efficient and cost-effective technology for clean hydrogen production.

“We are very pleased to be working alongside such experienced and strong partners as we strive to develop technologies that enable decarbonization,” said François Jacq. "Together, building on a set of technologies developed by the CEA over the last decade, we have ambitious growth plans for a technology that we expect to be a game-changer in the production of clean hydrogen. This initiative demonstrates an alignment of environmental and economic growth ambitions that is important for France and Europe in support of the government's and the Commission's recovery plan.”

Genvia technology aims to achieve the highest system efficiency, resulting in significantly less electricity use per kg of hydrogen produced. The technology is the first of its kind that is fully reversible, giving it the flexibility to switch between electrolysis and fuel cell functions.

“Clean hydrogen production is critical for the world to meet its energy transition goals,” said Schlumberger CEO Olivier Le Peuch. "Genvia will bring together outstanding science and advanced engineering to accelerate the development of a core technology to unlock affordable hydrogen production, energy storage and fuel applications at scale."

The manufacturing of solid oxide electrolyzers will occur at the Genvia gigafactory, which will be established in Béziers, Occitanie Region, France. The center for technology transfer will be located at the CEA site in Grenoble, France.