Abstract
The global transition towards sustainable energy sources has significantly heightened interest in efficient hydrogen production technologies. Among these, solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) have emerged as a standout method for their efficient conversion of electrical and thermal energy into hydrogen through water electrolysis. This study presents recent developments in SOEC technology at the Korea Institute of Energy Research, emphasizing crucial innovations in cell and stack designs that enhance both performance and durability under high-temperature electrolysis conditions.Our research demonstrates significant improvements in SOECs, aiming to meet the increasing demand for sustainable and efficient hydrogen production. Innovations include the introduction of cells with thicknesses ranging from 250 to 300 microns and enhanced support porosity of over 40%, transitioning from 8YSZ to 3YSZ for support and subsequently to 9.5YSZ for the electrolyte. These materials achieve higher mechanical strengths and reduced area-specific resistance. These advancements have resulted in a 20-25% reduction in power consumption compared to conventional lower-temperature electrolysis methods such as alkaline, PEM, or AEM, which is crucial for scaling hydrogen production.In stack development, optimized bipolar plate designs and surface treatments have been introduced to ensure efficient steam distribution and effective thermal management. Strategic operational control has maintained stack voltage within optimal ranges (12.8V at 700°C and 14V at 650°C) under a current of 100A, demonstrating robust performance over prolonged periods with minimal degradation—validated by long-term testing showing less than -0.7% degradation per 1000 hours under these specified conditions. Testing and evaluation within the specified range confirmed that there was no observed degradation, considering the reduction in power consumption.These improvements not only showcase our commitment to advancing SOEC technology but also pave the way for its broader application and commercialization. This aligns with global efforts to utilize renewable and nuclear energy resources for environmentally friendly hydrogen production, addressing technical challenges associated with high-temperature electrolysis, and contributing to the low-carbon solution in the global energy transition. Figure 1
Published Version
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