Phillips 66, independent diversified energy, manufacturing, and logistics company, has announced that it has received a US$3 million grant from the US Department of Energy (DOE) to advance the development of high-performance reversible solid oxide fuel cells (RSOFC). Phillips 66 will collaborate with the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) to demonstrate the commercial feasibility of a low-cost and highly efficient RSOFC system for hydrogen and power generation.
According to a statement, reversible solid oxide fuel cell (RSOFC) technology is one of many the company is pursuing as part of its commitment to a sustainable, lower-carbon energy future.
Phillips 66 has made significant technical progress in the area of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) and holds eight US granted patents and 22 pending US patent applications in its SOFC intellectual property portfolio.
Our scientists and engineers are at the forefront of solid oxide fuel cell technology. We are pleased to partner with Georgia Tech to demonstrate the commercial feasibility of this innovative reversible system, said said Ann Oglesby, VP, Energy Research & Innovation at Phillips 66.
SOFCs are ceramic devices that generate electricity efficiently, with low emissions, and at a competitive cost by oxidizing a fuel, such as hydrogen or natural gas, through electrochemical reactions rather than combustion.
They have a lower carbon footprint compared with conventional power plants and are an ideal technology for the capture of carbon dioxide (CO2).
Reversible SOFCs allow for the fuel cells to operate in either power generation mode, as a SOFC, or reverse mode, as a solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC). In the latter, electricity is applied to the cells to produce hydrogen, a low-emission energy carrier, through electrolysis.
The grant was awarded by the DOE’s Office of Fossil Energy (DOE FE). Phillips 66 will be the research lead on the grant, with Georgia Tech as a collaborative partner.
