As part of the EU demonstration project MultiPLHY, the project partners Neste, Sunfire, CEA and Engie have commissioned the world’s largest high-temperature electrolyzer (SOEC – Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell) in an industrial environment. The system has been integrated into the processes of the Neste refinery in Rotterdam and is intended to replace fossil-based hydrogen with green hydrogen.
The electrolyzer consists of twelve modules, achieves an electrical output of 2.6 megawatts and produces more than 60 kilograms of green hydrogen per hour. The system operates at a process temperature of 850 °C. By utilizing process heat from the refinery, the system achieves an electrical efficiency of up to 84 percent (based on lower heating value, LHV, AC), according to Sunfire. The hydrogen processing unit (HPU) was supplied by SMS Group.
Test program planned to validate performance data
The next step will be a test program to validate the performance characteristics of the technology under real-world conditions. The aim is to demonstrate the industrial applicability and economic viability of SOEC technology. The project is coordinated by the French research institute CEA. Engie is responsible for the techno-economic assessment.
Project partners emphasize importance for industrial decarbonization
Jukka Kanerva, Senior Vice President Renewable Refining at Neste, emphasizes: “The MultiPLHY project has provided Neste with valuable experience and insights into the industrial production of green hydrogen.”
Sunfire CEO Nils Aldag states: “The MultiPLHY project demonstrates that our innovative technology can be integrated at industrial scale.”
Pierre Olivier, Head of the Hydrogen Lab at Engie, sees high-temperature electrolysis as a way to “make green hydrogen more affordable – while also improving the global energy efficiency of various industrial processes.”
EU funding under Horizon 2020
The project is funded under the Clean Hydrogen Partnership (formerly Fuel Cells and Hydrogen 2 Joint Undertaking) through grant agreement No. 875123 by the EU’s Horizon 2020 program, as well as by Hydrogen Europe and Hydrogen Europe Research.
Background: Sunfire and SOEC technology
Sunfire, based in Dresden, develops and manufactures electrolyzers based on alkaline and solid oxide technologies. SOEC technology is considered particularly efficient when waste heat is available. In the EU project GrInHy2.0, an efficiency of 84 percent was demonstrated in 2022. For the next generation (GEN 3), Sunfire expects an efficiency of up to 89 percent.
