thyssenkrupp nucera and Fraunhofer IKTS opened the first SOEC pilot production plant for electrolysis stacks in Arnstadt, Thuringia, in the presence of high-ranking representatives from science, politics, and industry. The event was also attended by the Minister President of the State of Thuringia, Prof. Dr. Mario Voigt. With the commissioning of the pilot production plant, the strategic partnership between Fraunhofer IKTS and thyssenkrupp nucera for the development of high-temperature electrolysis (SOEC) is entering the next phase as planned.

In March 2024, the renowned research institute and the world's leading supplier of highly efficient electrolysis technology for the production of green H₂ in Arnstadt signed a strategic cooperation agreement for the development of the next-generation SOEC electrolyzer. Building on the development work carried out by Fraunhofer IKTS, thyssenkrupp nucera will now work with Fraunhofer IKTS to advance SOEC technology for the manufacture of stacks for the production of green H₂ on an industrial scale. With high-temperature electrolysis, thyssenkrupp nucera is strengthening its H₂ technology portfolio for industrial applications.

The electrolysis stacks are manufactured in the pilot production plant designed and built by Fraunhofer IKTS. The SOEC pilot plant initially produces stacks in small quantities and has a target production capacity of 8 megawatts per year. These stacks are the heart of the future SOEC electrolyzers from thyssenkrupp nucera.

SOEC stack technology is based on an oxygen-conducting ceramic electrolyte substrate with two electrodes, which are assembled together with coupling elements, the chromium-iron (CF) interconnectors, on several layers to form the stack. CF-based SOEC technology guarantees high corrosion resistance, optimized thermal cycle performance, and high long-term stability with regard to temperature cycling. In addition, stack technology requires only a small number of components and occupies a leading position compared to designs currently available on the global market. The SOEC cell design is also well suited for the desired highly automated series production. Thanks to the large-scale industrial and highly automated series production planned for the future, the high-temperature electrolyzer can also be manufactured at competitive costs.

With innovative high-temperature electrolysis, companies will be able to produce green H₂ highly efficiently in the future. SOEC electrolysis ensures high efficiency because less electrical energy is required to split water vapor at high temperatures. When commercial high-temperature electrolysis is used in processes that generate large amounts of waste heat, such as in the steel industry, electricity consumption can be reduced by 20% to 30% compared to other technologies.

In addition, SOEC technology offers the major advantage of utilizing industrial CO₂ as a raw material and converting it into green synthesis gas together with green H₂. This in turn can be used to produce sustainable chemical feedstocks and eFuels—a unique selling point with enormous potential for the energy transition.

"The outstanding properties of SOEC technology have prompted us to work with our strategic partner Fraunhofer IKTS to develop high-temperature electrolysis to market maturity. We are convinced of the advantages of this electrolysis technology for the production of green H₂. It will play a central role in a new, climate-friendly energy mix," said Dr. Werner Ponikwar, CEO of thyssenkrupp nucera.

“By integrating SOEC technology into industrial waste heat sources or directly generating synthesis gas from water and CO₂, companies can maximize the efficiency of green H₂ production and effectively implement their decarbonization strategy. These unique advantages make SOEC technology a real game changer,” said Professor Alexander Michaelis, Director of Fraunhofer IKTS.

The operation of the pilot production plant will generate the necessary experience that will be incorporated into the construction of a fully automated, large-scale industrial SOEC production plant for high-performance stacks.