IEA AFC – Annex 24 (SOFC)

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are considered to be an advantageous technology in energy production due to the high fuel conversion efficiency, modular design possibilities and fuel flexibility.

The high operating temperatures make SOFCs well suited to combined heat and power production (CHP) or for hybrid systems where the SOFC stacks are coupled with a gas turbine. Fuel processor design is simplified compared to low temperature fuel cell types due to high operating temperature that enables direct oxidation of carbon monoxide and the use of hydrocarbon fuels via internal reforming reactions.

SOFCs can be utilized for various applications with different power scales, for example

  • auxiliary power units for cars and trucks
  • residential combined heat and power production (CHP)
  • distributed CHP or stationary power production.

The widespread commercialization of the SOFC technology is hindered by the relatively high cost of SOFC systems when compared to the established technologies of energy production such as engines or gas turbines. The price for both SOFC stacks along with other system components is high and availability of products is poor due to the absence of developed markets and production.

Together with reduction of costs, long lifetime and high availability are prerequisites to facilitate SOFC systems for both stationary and micro CHP applications. The inherent voltage degradation phenomena of the SOFC stacks is the most important factor that affects the durability and lifetime of a SOFC system. For stationary applications, voltage degradation rates below 0.25 %/khmust be achieved to ensure a lifetime long enough for the products. Currently, operating times for planar SOFC stacks that span up to and over 10000 hours with degradation rates below 1 %/kh have been reported. In addition to the SOFC stack, the other components of the system and the system as a whole, must endure years of continuous operation without unreasonable performance degradation or component failures. In the absence of large scale production of dedicated components and peripherals for SOFC systems, the lifetime and performance of system components is not well established.

The overall objective of Annex 24 is the continuation and intensification of the open information exchange to accelerate the development of SOFC towards commercialization.Annex 24 holds series of annual workshopswhere representatives from the participating countries present the status of SOFC research, development and demonstration in their respective countries, in addition to discussing a selected topic.Where possible, these workshops will be linked to other relevant conferences, in order to minimise travelling costs. The workshops lead to open discussions relating to common problems and should have realizable and achievable aims. The next annual workshop will be held 25th of June 2012 in conjunction with European Fuel Cell Forum (Lucerne, Switzerland).

Active partners of this Annex 24 are Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States.

The overall Operating Agent of Annex 24 is Dr.JariKiviaho from VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland (e-mail: , gsm: +358 505116778).