Ceres Power Holdings PLC (LSE: CWR) a prominent developer of clean energy solutions, has inked a significant contract with Shell, marking the second phase of their collaboration aimed at advancing green hydrogen technology. The contract entails the design of a 10MW pressurized solid oxide electrolyser (SOEC) module capable of producing green hydrogen at an impressive efficiency of 36kWh/kg.
This collaboration builds upon the successful deployment of a 1MW SOEC system at Shell's research and development facility in Bangalore, India, initiated in 2022. Leveraging the insights gained from this demonstration, the focus now shifts towards developing a scalable module design that can be integrated into large-scale industrial applications, including the production of synthetic fuels, ammonia, and green steel.
The program will harness key learnings and data gathered from the existing demonstration project to craft a commercially viable and scalable solution. A crucial aspect of this endeavor is the remarkable efficiency gains offered by SOEC technology, which enables approximately 35% more hydrogen production per unit of electrical energy, particularly when coupled with heat from industrial processes.
The project will explore pressurized systems capable of driving further efficiency, performance, and seamless integration with other industrial processes. The target is to achieve a module-level efficiency of less than 36kWh/kg of hydrogen, aligning with the EU SOE 2030 technology targets.
Phil Caldwell, Chief Executive of Ceres, expressed his optimism about the strategic collaboration with Shell, emphasizing its role in ensuring that Ceres' SOEC technology remains aligned with the growing demand of partners. He highlighted Ceres' commitment to continuous innovation, underscoring the company's position as an industry leader in terms of simplicity, efficiency, and performance.
This partnership between Ceres and Shell represents a significant step forward in the journey towards widespread adoption of green hydrogen technology.