Low-Cost, REDOX-Stable, Low-Temperature SOFC Developed by Ceres Power for Multiple Applications: Latest Development Update

Ceres Power has developed a unique low temperature (500-620°C), low-cost metal-supported SOFC technology based on the use of thick-film Cerium Gadolinium Oxide (CGO) as the predominant oxygen ion conductor and structural ceramic, the fundamental details of which have been published previously (1). Since that paper was published, considerable progress has been made on developing the performance of the technology towards true commercial viability, particularly robustness to real-world REDOX and thermal cycling conditions, electrical efficiency and steady-state durability. These improvements have been achieved whilst maintaining the advantages of a low-temperature metal-supported design, particularly low material and balance-of-plant cost and inherent mechanical robustness. This has been demonstrated at both short-stack and 1 kW-class stack level. This paper provides a general overview of the status of Ceres SOFC technology and its applications.