Advanced Cathode
Materials for Solid Oxide Electrolyzers
Srikanth Gopalan
04-04
EISG Project
Title: Advanced Cathode Materials for Solid Oxide Electrolyzers
EISG Grant Number: 04-04
PIER Area: Environmentally Preferred Advanced Generation
Principal Investigator: Srikanth Gopalan
Contact Information: Phone:
(617) 353-2297, email: sgopalan@bu.edu
Organization: Boston University
Grant Amount: $75,000
Grant Term: 12 Months
Project Description:
§ Proposes to determine the feasibility of developing cathode materials for reversible solid oxide electrolyzer – solid oxide fuel cell power systems. The proposed materials may have a 40% improved performance over existing Ni-YSZ cermet cathode materials currently in use in solid oxide electrolyzers.
Proposed Outcomes:
§ Anode-solid electrolyte-cathode SOEC button cells will be fabricated and tested.
Anticipated Benefits:
§ The proposed systems can be combined with renewable energy power systems to generate hydrogen through high temperature steam electrolysis during off-peak hours. This hydrogen can then be converted to electrical energy using the same electrolysis system operated in reverse as a fuel cell system.
§ Off-peak power from renewable sources such as solar, geothermal, wind and hydroelectric sources can be better managed and utilized by adding a reversible solid oxide electrolyzer – solid oxide fuel cell power system; decreasing the demand on existing power generation capacity and transmission and distribution systems.
o Full Project Summary
o Statement of Work
o Current Status