SOCS: Energy conversion from renewable sources in solid oxide cells (EULANEST66)

The overall objective of this joint project was to develop a network and collaboration between Latin-American and European partners to develop high efficient technologies of energy conversion based on solid oxide cells from renewable sources based on. The use of renewable energy has attained increasing interest over the past years. For a wider utilization of renewable energy sources ? such as wind, solar, and geothermal power ? chemical energy carriers are needed for electricity storage to maintain the high delivery stability in the energy infrastructure. Electrolysis technologies are highly suited for the production of hydrogen based energy carriers. High temperature electrolysis of steam is expected to consume less electrical energy as compared to electrolysis at low temperature as consequence of the more favorable thermodynamic and electrochemical kinetic conditions for the reaction. Steam electrolysis may be done using a Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell (SOEC) which is a reversely operated Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC). Extensive SOFC work has demonstrated that low electrode overvoltages are achievable even for high current densities. Provided that this is also achieved at SOEC, electrical-to-hydrogen conversion efficiencies next to 100% may become feasible. On the other hand, high temperature fuel cells (such as SOFC) are capable of converting hydrocarbon or alcohol-derived fuels in the anode chamber by internal reforming, resulting in a higher electric efficiency.

The use of renewable energy has attained increasing interest over the past years. For a wider utilisation of renewable energy sources – such as wind, solar, and geothermal power – chemical energy carriers are needed for electricity storage to maintain the high delivery stability in the energy infrastructure. Electrolysis technologies are highly suited for the production of hydrogen based energy carriers. High temperature electrolysis of steam is expected to consume less electrical energy as compared to el ectrolysis at low temperature as consequence of the more favourable thermodynamic and electrochemical kinetic conditions for the reaction. Steam electrolysis may be done using a Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell (SOEC) which is a reversely operated Solid Oxid e Fuel Cell (SOFC). Extensive SOFC work has demonstrated that low electrode overvoltages are achievable even for high current densities. Provided that this is also achieved at SOEC, electrical-to-hydrogen conversion efficiencies next to 100% may become fe asible. On the other hand, high temperature fuel cells (such as SOFC) are capable of converting hydrocarbon or alcohol-derived fuels in the anode chamber by internal reforming, resulting in a higher electric efficiency. The overall objective of this joint project is to develop high efficiency technologies of energy conversion based on solid oxide cells operating at high temperatures from renewable sources. Specific objectives are, respectively: - Develop SOECs operating at temperatures >700°C using steam from hydro or geothermal sources at electrical-to-hydrogen conversion efficiencies of ~95% . - Develop SOFCs operating at temperatures >700°C using bioethanol or biodiesel as renewable fuels at electrical efficiencies of ~60%. Those objectives are compat ible with the aims of the EULANEST Joint Call, related to Sustainable Renewable Energies to solve Climate Change Challenges. Particularly, the following issues are concerned within the subject of the proposed research: - Application of new materials for c omponents of solid oxide cells (SOCs) - Use of sustainable renewable energies as sources for energy conversion systems - Developing of energy carriers based on hydrogen and fuel cells