Call for participation: Shared Research Program on co-electrolysis of steam/CO2 with Solid Oxid Electrolyser (co-SOE)

Syngas production using Solid Oxide Electrolysis Technology

Calls for Participation | Power-2-Chemicals

Call for participation: Shared Research Program on co-electrolysis of steam/CO2 with Solid Oxid Electrolyser (co-SOE)

TNO is setting up a Shared Research Program with focus on production of syngas by co-electrolysis of steam and CO2 using Solid Oxide Electrolyser (co-SOE) technology. This follows the initiation of the Shared Research Program (SRP) on AEM electrolysers in 2024 and a successful launch of the SRP on PEM water electrolysis called Supercell Program in 2022.

We are in contact with companies who are active over the co-SOE technology value chain. This effort has resulted in a good overview of the challenges and barriers which still need to be overcome. Technology efficiency and cost effectiveness are some of the major hurdles for syngas production and integration in downstream processes. The key challenges coupled with mandatory regulations on sustainable e-fuel production necessitates action from key players in the value chain. The project aims to optimise the co-SOE technology towards improved efficiency, lifetime, cost, technology scalability and process integration. Concerted effort is hereby needed, which we will address in the multi-year and multi-partner program. The ambition is to start this program with a group of complementary partners in the upstream process (feed streams), co-SOE system and downstream process (Ethanol, methanol, SAF, E-diesel, E-gasoline). TNO has already started a number of strategic col-laborations on solid oxide co-electrolysis with TotalEnergies.

Context

Model of TNO Shared Research Programs

Open innovation model
Joint strategy
Multiply knowledge investments
Contribution of background
Non-exclusive access to foreground
Customized bilateral contract based on template
Active participation of partners
Partners can keep strategic background and specific foreground confidential
The program is a joint set-up and steered by the funding of the partners

Example SRP: Supercell Shared Research Program TNO working to boost the efficiency of renewable hydrogen production.

Objective

Goal of the SRP on co-SOE

Development of solid oxide technology for co-electrolysis of steam/CO2 for syngas production and downstream integration
Optimization of innovative concepts towards improved efficiency, lifetime, cost and technology scalability and process integration

Deliverables

Scope of the SRP co-SOE

Core

Evaluation of commercial cells and state-of-art materials for performance and lifetime in co-electrolysis conditions
Optimizing the co-SOE cell for syngas production and downstream integration leading to breakthrough performance, efficiency and lifetime
Use-cases analysis and business cases

Research topics (non-exhaustive)

Use-cases analyses and techno-economic analysis
Contaminants assessment on the impact of performance and lifetime
Gas cleaning techniques to achieve required gas purity
Tuning cell materials and design for CO2/steam co-electrolysis for syngas production
Developing standardized protocols with industry leaders
Gas cleaning and system integration

Note: the scope and agreed effort can change based on the needs, results and progress.