Reversible Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Technology for Green Fuel and Power Production

Sustainable energy system based on the reversible solid oxide fuel cell (RSOFC), which is a device that can operate efficiently in both fuel cell and electrolysis operating modes, is feasible for the future. In the fuel cell mode, an RSOFC functions as a solid oxide fuel cell, generating electricity by electrochemical combination of a fuel (hydrogen, hydrocarbons, alcohols, etc.) with air. In the electrolysis mode, it functions as an electrolyzer, producing hydrogen or chemicals such as syngas when coupled with an energy source. The RSOFC is at its early stage of development and to date, only limited work mainly in lab scale has been conducted. Two key requirements for RSOFCs are (1) acceptable electrode performance reversibility and stability and (2) efficient and stable cyclic operation. RSOFC technology is further discussed in this article.