Solid Oxide Fuel Cell: Top 10 Projects & Companies
The Solid Oxide Revolution: Fuel Cells and Electrolyzers Surge Into the Mainstream
Imagine a world powered by clean, efficient energy, where data centers hum with sustainability and hydrogen fuels a greener future. This isn’t a far-off dream; it’s a rapidly approaching reality, fueled by the accelerating adoption of solid oxide technology. From powering massive data centers to producing green hydrogen, solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) and solid oxide electrolyzers (SOECs) are poised to revolutionize the energy landscape. The installations and expansions announced in 2024 alone paint a compelling picture of this technological surge.
Solid Oxide Installations and Expansions Fueling a Clean Energy Future
Here’s a look at the ten largest announced or expanded solid oxide fuel cell and electrolyzer installations since January 1, 2024, showcasing the breadth and depth of this growing market:
1. AEP Orders up to 1 GW in Fuel Cells for Data Centers Bloom Energy, AEP
Company: AEP
Installation Capacity: Up to 1 GW over the coming decade
Applications: Powering data centers
Source: AEP Orders up to 1 GW in Fuel Cells to Meet Data Center Demand
2. Elcogen Expands Manufacturing Capacity to 360 MW
Company: Elcogen
Installation Capacity: Expanding manufacturing capacity from 10 MW to 360 MW.
Applications: Production of SOFCs and SOECs for various applications.
Source: Elcogen’s new production facility to expand manufacturing capacity to 360 MW
3. Bloom Energy and SK Eternix Partner for World’s Largest Fuel Cell Installation
Company: Bloom Energy, SK Eternix
Installation Capacity: 80 MW
Applications: Powering two ecoparks in North Chungcheong Province, South Korea.
Source: Bloom Energy Announces World’s Largest Fuel Cell Installation in …
4. Bloom Energy Supports Additional Capacity at Equinix’s IBX Data Centers
Company: Bloom Energy, Equinix
Installation Capacity: More than 100 MW of electricity capacity across Equinix’s U.S.-based International Business Exchange (IBX) data centers
Applications: Powering data centers
Source: Bloom Energy Supports Additional Capacity at Equinix’s IBX Data …
5. FuelCell Energy Announces $160 Million Contract to Support Hartford Area Grid
Company: FuelCell Energy
Installation Capacity: Not specified in the article, but it’s a significant project to support the grid.
Applications: Grid support
Source: FuelCell Energy Announces $160 Million Contract to Support …
6. Italy and Denmark Companies Partner on 1 MW Solid Oxide Electrolyser Delivery
Company: SolydEra and Dynelectro
Installation Capacity: 1 MW
Applications: Supporting green hydrogen and ammonia production
Source: Italy and Denmark Companies Partner on 1 MW Solid Oxide …
7. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Begins Testing Solid Oxide Electrolyzer Cell for Hydrogen Production
Company: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI)
Installation Capacity: 400 kW test module
Applications: Hydrogen production technology.
Source: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries begins testing solid oxide electrolyzer …
8. FuelCell Energy and Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering Collaboration for Low-Carbon Fuel Production Facility in Malaysia
Company: FuelCell Energy and Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering Sdn Bhd (MHB)
Installation Capacity: 20 MW electricity input, 12 metric tons of hydrogen output per day
Applications: Low-carbon fuel production
Source: FuelCell Energy and Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering Sdn …
9. Quanta Technologies Factory to be Powered by Bloom Energy Fuel Cell Microgrid
Company: Bloom Energy, Quanta Technologies
Installation Capacity: Unspecified, but enough to fully power Quanta’s California factory
Applications: Powering a factory, islandable microgrid
Source: Quanta Technologies Factory to be Powered by Bloom Energy Fuel …
10. Topsoe SOE manufacturing plant in Herning, Denmark
Company: Topsoe
Installation Capacity: 100 MW of units to be delivered in early 2025
Applications: Not specified
Source: Topsoe – Ammonia Energy Association
SOFC/SOEC: Not Just a Niche, It’s Becoming the Norm
The applications for solid oxide technology are remarkably diverse. From powering data centers – as evidenced by AEP’s massive 1 GW order and Bloom Energy’s support for Equinix’s IBX data centers – to grid support (FuelCell Energy in Hartford) and the production of low-carbon fuels (FuelCell Energy and Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering), the versatility of SOFCs and SOECs is clear. This breadth suggests a significant shift. These aren’t isolated projects; they are pieces of a larger trend towards decentralized, resilient, and cleaner energy solutions. The Elcogen expansion, specifically targeting SOFC/SOEC production, suggests strong market confidence and anticipation of increased demand across these diverse applications.
From East to West, Solid Oxide Gains Global Traction
Geographically, the adoption of solid oxide technology is spreading rapidly. While the US is a major player, with numerous data center projects and grid support initiatives, Asia is also making significant strides. The Bloom Energy and SK Eternix partnership in South Korea, creating the world’s largest fuel cell installation, highlights Asia’s commitment to embracing this technology. Furthermore, projects like the FuelCell Energy and Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering collaboration indicate growing interest in Southeast Asia. European companies like SolydEra, Dynelectro, and Topsoe are also key players, demonstrating the technology’s appeal across diverse markets. This global spread suggests that solid oxide technology is not confined to specific regions but is becoming a globally relevant solution.
Maturing Tech Stack: From Demonstration to Deployment
These installations provide valuable insights into the technology’s maturity. The Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ (MHI) testing of a 400 kW solid oxide electrolyzer cell signals continued innovation and development within the hydrogen production sector. However, the scale of projects like AEP’s 1 GW fuel cell order and Bloom Energy’s installations at Equinix indicate that SOFCs are no longer confined to the demonstration phase; they are being deployed at a commercial scale for critical infrastructure applications. The Elcogen expansion highlights the industry’s preparation for mass production, further solidifying the shift towards commercialization. The ability of Bloom Energy to create an islandable microgrid for Quanta Technologies also shows the tech stack is able to offer grid resilience solutions.
The Future is Solid: Efficiency, Sustainability, and Resilience
The installations and expansions announced in 2024 provide a glimpse into the future of solid oxide technology. We can expect to see continued growth in data center applications as companies seek to reduce their carbon footprint and enhance grid resilience. The increasing focus on hydrogen production using SOECs suggests that solid oxide technology will play a critical role in the emerging hydrogen economy. Finally, expect to see increased deployment in factories seeking microgrid solutions. Companies seeking low-carbon power and energy resilience are likely to adopt SOFC/SOEC solutions to deliver both. Overall, these developments indicate that solid oxide technology is poised for continued growth and will play a vital role in shaping a cleaner, more resilient energy future.
