Research database

Europe must accelerate its transition to climate neutrality by scaling up renewable hydrogen production, especially for hard-to-abate sectors. Solid Oxide Electrolysers (SOEL) offer a high-efficiency solution but are constrained by challenges like material degradation and high costs. The DESIREE project tackles these issues with a holistic, multi-level approach, advancing SOEL technologies at the cell, stack, and system levels. It aims to demonstrate a scalable, multi-stack 2x20 kW SOEL system, incorporating: i) nanoparticle-infiltrated cells, ii) enhanced stack architectures with durable TEC-gradient sealings, iii) a modular hot box seamlessly integrated with a metal hydride compressor and advanced heat exchangers, iv) advanced dynamic control strategies, and v) SST power electronics for optimized grid integration. These innovations target enhanced long-term durability and power density at cell/stack level, and reductions in Levelized Cost of Hydrogen, energy consumption, CAPEX and OPEX at system level. Circularity will also be embedded from the start, exploring ways to recover valuable materials from cells and end-of-life stacks, laying the groundwork for industrial-scale material recovery. Additionally, accelerated-stress testing protocols, will be validated to ensure reliable system performance under real-world conditions. Finally, the participation of key industrial stakeholders will ensure the development of a detailed exploitation plan for potential SOEL market integration. The project will validate the 40 kW SOEL system under relevant operating conditions, providing robust performance, durability, and techno-economic data. The consortium, comprising 12 partners from 6 countries, includes top research centers, SMEs, and industrial players, ensuring a clear path from TRL 3 to scalable TRL 5. Aligned with the Clean Hydrogen JU, DESIREE will position EU as a leader in next-generation electrolysis, advancing performance, sustainability, and manufacturability.

• Federico Smeacetto (Principal Investigator)
• Sonia Lucia Fiorilli (Component of the research team)