JERA, Denso to develop hydrogen generation technology using SOEC and waste heat

This will be tested in JERA’s thermal power plant.

Japan’s JERA Co. Inc. and Denso Corporation are working on a high-efficiency hydrogen generation technology that combines solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) with waste heat to help address carbon and energy issues.

In a statement, JERA explained that SOECs can operate at high temperatures using a ceramic membrane as an electrolyte to electrolyse water vapour and produce hydrogen. This requires less energy for electrolysis compared to other hydrogen production processes.

“Through this joint development and joint demonstration testing, the companies will work toward the early establishment of a global supply chain for green hydrogen and ammonia and contribute to finding solutions for global decarbonization and energy issues,” JERA said.

DENSO and JERA will conduct a joint demonstration testing at a JERA thermal power station beginning fiscal year 20205. Based on the outcomes of the 200-kilowatt (kW) joint demonstration test, the companies will aim to scale up the technology to a multi-thousand kW level by integrating multiple SOECs.