PReFuCell joint project – Recyclability of solid oxide fuel cells
The PReFuCell joint project is making an important contribution to the energy transition. It is helping to achieve the German government's goals for a sustainable energy transition and the development of a hydrogen infrastructure.
Research activities aimed at further developing the reversible rSOC demonstrator and related plant components will be linked to sustainability considerations for this new type of plant. The aim is to further develop combined fuel cell and electrolysis technology and promote applications in Germany and Europe.
In the German energy system, which is characterised by high volatility of renewable energies and a heterogeneous mix of different technologies for electricity generation, flexible systems such as reversible fuel cells are becoming increasingly important, among other things as storage technology. In particular, long-term storage systems are needed that exceed the storage durations of conventional batteries in order to bridge periods of several days without sunshine or wind. The project aims to significantly improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of SOC technology and increase its availability and system usability. The reversible system design, which can map both the electrolysis and reconversion processes using the same components, has already been successfully demonstrated in pilot plants. This research project builds on the results achieved to date and expands on them with a specific technical advancement of the rSOC demonstrator, with the aim of increasing the power density of the plant by up to 20%.
In order to be able to act from a higher-level energy system perspective and thus in the spirit of a circular economy, a life cycle assessment is being carried out to determine whether rSOC systems can act as CO2 sinks (negative emissions) when used with biogenic feedstocks. The work is supplemented by a study on the recyclability of the module and the rSOC stacks it contains with regard to the circular economy. The joint project consists of a consortium of four project partners: Reverion, Technical University of Munich, smk and the bifa Environmental Institute.
As part of the project consortium, the bifa Environmental Institute is conducting a feasibility study on the material recycling of rSOC stacks. This includes conducting a comprehensive study to characterise SOC stacks, characterising waste streams and their legal classification. Based on a market analysis for potential secondary raw materials and the identification of relevant materials through a hotspot analysis, a recycling process will be developed on a laboratory scale and its feasibility assessed.
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funding code: 03EN5054C— Verbundvorhaben: PReFuCell - Teilvorhaben: Machbarkeitsstudie zum Stoff-Recycling von rSOC-Stacks"
Funding programme: Brennstoffzelle Wasserstoff Mobilität (ESN 5)
Project duration: 01.01.2026 bis 31.12.2028
Supported by: Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie
Project partner: Reverion GmbH, Technische Universität München, smk systeme metall kunststoff GmbH & Co. KG
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