Latest news with #SOEC
Business Upturn
07-05-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
Elcogen and Casale SA collaborate to drive innovation in green ammonia and sustainable energy
Tallinn, ESTONIA, May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Elcogen, a leading European manufacturer of technology that enables the efficient production of affordable green hydrogen and emission-free electricity, today announced that it h entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Casale, a global provider of technologies and integrated engineering solutions to produce ammonia and other base chemicals. This is a non-exclusive Memorandum that will enable the parties to collaborate on green ammonia and other Power-to-X (P2X) projects. Under this MoU, the two companies will explore commercial projects of mutual interest, with a view to integrating Elcogen's solid oxide electrolysis stack and stack module technology into Casale's plants, and potentially other P2X applications globally. In turn, Elcogen can provide their technology platform and related technical services to support Casale in its process design efforts for developers on the international market. This partnership marks a significant milestone in the green energy transition, with the possibility of combining Casale's proven, mature process design expertise with Elcogen's cutting-edge Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell (SOEC) technology for highly efficient green hydrogen production. Driving the future of sustainable solutions with green hydrogen Ammonia production, which today relies primarily on hydrogen derived from natural gas, has traditionally been dependent on fossil fuels, making it a significant source of CO2 emissions. However, by coupling green hydrogen technology into ammonia production and leveraging renewable energy sources, the new process can significantly reduce emissions, offering a cleaner and more sustainable solution for the industry. Combining Elcogen's efficient SOEC technology with Casale's high-performance ammonia solutions, the parties will be able to propose leading solutions to the green ammonia market. SOEC is ideally suited to integration with industrial processes, producing hydrogen directly where it is needed as feedstock. 'Solid oxide technology is on track to reach cost parity with PEM and Alkaline systems soon, and once it does, it will offer even greater value. With a lower levelised cost of hydrogen, greater scalability, and a lack of reliance on precious materials like iridium and platinum, it's a future-proof technology that's expected to become a key player in the green ammonia space as it matures. This will provide a competitive advantage to both companies,' said Mikael Jansen, Director of Business Development at Elcogen, adding, 'This MoU is an exciting step forward. With over 100 years of experience, Casale is a world-class player, and we are humbled that a major ammonia technology provider shares our same vision. Together, we are making a tangible contribution to world sustainability goals. We're poised to set a new standard for sustainable ammonia production'. SOEC technology offers unparalleled advantages compared to water electrolysis. It requires less electricity to produce hydrogen due to faster and more efficient kinetics, and it can use steam generated from the waste heat of industrial processes – such as ammonia production – further reducing the electricity needed for hydrogen production. Unlike water electrolysis, it produces little to no waste heat itself. The elcoStack® technology platform operates at a lower temperature compared to many other solutions while retaining high efficiency and power densities, providing a simpler and more cost-efficient solution for integrating solid oxide technology into an electrolyser system. 'Observing Elcogen's achievements in solid oxide technology, we see a highly complementary fit with Casale's deep expertise in process integration and plant design. This collaboration opens new possibilities for industrial applications of green hydrogen, particularly in ammonia production and also in other technologies. We believe this partnership will allow both companies to explore innovative solutions in the Power-to-X space, building on our shared commitment to accelerate the energy transition,' said Federico Zardi, CEO of Casale SA. ______ About Casale Founded in 1921, Casale is a privately-owned Swiss company headquartered in Lugano, Switzerland, with over a century of expertise offering integrated technologies, engineering, contracting and construction solutions for the chemical and fertilizer industries. With more than 450 professionals across Switzerland, the Czech Republic, China, India, the United States, the United Arab Emirates and Brazil, Casale is a global leader in sustainable fertilizer production technologies. Casale is among the few licensors that can provide the entire fertilizer production chain of ammonia, urea, nitric acid, nitrates, phosphates, in addition to key chemicals such as melamine, methanol. Focused to build sustainable plants for a better planet, the portfolio of solutions also includes innovative technologies to produce green and blue ammonia, methanol, and hydrogen delivering thus a complete range of solutions for new plants and for plants retrofits (revamping). Casale delivers, both for plant revamping and new plants, a comprehensive range of services and products including: know-how and licensing of core technologies full range of engineering services, from feasibility studies to basic, FEED, and detail design equipment and materials supply EP/EPC project contracting digital solutions for plant control and management repair and maintenance services Casale offers a full range of services consistently prioritizing continuous innovation and operational excellence. Casale's ability to weave its deep commitment to the research and development of clean technologies into every aspect of its design, construction and renovation projects underlines its leadership in energy transition and sustainability. About Elcogen Elcogen develops and supplies solid oxide fuel cell and electrolysis technologies, enabling the production of affordable green hydrogen and emission-free electricity across diverse sectors, from residential to large-scale industrial applications. Founded in 2001, the Company has its registered office in the UK, its main headquarters in Tallinn, Estonia, and R&D centres of excellence in both Estonia and Finland. Serving a growing global customer base, Elcogen's fuel and electrolyser cells, stacks, and modules are integrated into third-party systems, delivering exceptional performance and reliability. In addition to the supply of components, Elcogen offers comprehensive services to support technology integration, ensuring seamless adoption and optimal functionality of its solutions in various applications. These systems are designed to unlock the full potential of renewable energy, offering superior efficiency compared to traditional technologies. Together with its partners, Elcogen is shaping a sustainable energy landscape and leading the way to a net-zero future. [END] Attachments Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same.
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
US-based Bloom Energy pushes solid oxide edge as India waits on first big hydrogen bet
Mumbai: As India ramps up its green hydrogen ambitions, NYSE-listed Bloom Energy is positioning its solid oxide electrolyzer technology as a superior, ready-to-deploy option for industrial hydrogen production—especially in heat-intensive sectors such as ammonia, steel, and nuclear. In an interview with ETEnergyWorld , Ravi Prasher, chief technology officer at Bloom Energy , said the company's high-temperature solid oxide systems deliver up to 30 per cent higher efficiency compared to conventional proton-exchange membrane (PEM) and alkaline technologies. 'Efficiency will define the economics of hydrogen—not just upfront capex… And in that equation, we come out significantly ahead,' said Prasher. Bloom, which became the world's largest stationary fuel cell company in 2018, has already begun global commercialiasation of its solid oxide electrolyzer cells (SOECs), aiming to expand into markets where renewable electricity is constrained and industrial heat is abundant. Why This Matters India's National Green Hydrogen Mission targets 5 MMT of green hydrogen by 2030, with a major push on electrolyzer deployment. But cost, infrastructure, and demand alignment remain bottlenecks. 'Everyone's waiting for the first major hydrogen project to move from concept to integrated execution—globally. It's not just about making hydrogen; it's about the entire value chain—transport, storage, and off-take,' added Prasher. He noted that India, with its expensive natural gas and lack of carbon capture options, could benefit significantly from high-efficiency electrolyzers that reduce input energy requirements and integrate with legacy gas infrastructure. Solid Oxide v/s PEM: What's at Stake Operating temperature: Bloom's SOECs run at 800°C, versus Efficiency advantage: ~25–30 per cent lower energy consumption per kilogram of hydrogen. Catalyst savings: SOECs use nickel instead of rare and costly iridium or platinum. Industrial integration: Heat generated in ammonia or steelmaking processes can be recycled into the electrolyzer, improving system economics. While PEM players tout flexibility under fluctuating renewable inputs, Prasher argues that total cost of ownership—and integration with industrial demand—will drive long-term adoption. India Fit: Ammonia, Steel, and Nuclear Bloom is targeting specific Indian use cases such as in ammonia plants, where high waste heat can directly power SOECs. In steel mills, where integrated hydrogen could decarbonize blast furnaces. In nuclear facilities, which provide both steam and electricity, aligning well with SOEC needs. 'These are the sectors where our technology's advantages translate immediately into cost savings and higher uptime,' Prasher said. The company is also participating in hydrogen blending pilots , including systems where the firm's fuel cells run seamlessly on hydrogen-natural gas blends without hardware modifications—potentially simplifying infrastructure transitions. Current Presence and Outlook in India While the company did not disclose specific investment figures, Prasher confirmed the company already employs over 400 engineers in Mumbai and Bengaluru, with supply chain and project activity underway. Installations include Intel's fuel cell deployment in Bangalore. 'India is a focus market. The question is: Will policy move fast enough to support next-gen energy infrastructure, like it did with solar and batteries?' he said. The company is also in advanced contract discussions in Europe and Asia, particularly in the ammonia and nuclear sectors. The Road Ahead Despite rising interest, Prasher cautioned that global hydrogen deployment remains in a 'pre-commercial' phase, with no full-scale green hydrogen project operational yet. Still, he expects the firm's next gigawatt of fuel cell and electrolyzer deployments to take less than two years, down from 14 years to reach the first. He said that this is not about hype cycles anymore, it is about which technology is most ready to scale when real projects finally break ground.
Observer
20-04-2025
- Business
- Observer
Dutch H3 alliance seeks to capitalise on Oman's GH2 value chain
MUSCAT, APRIL 20 Holland Hydrogen Hub (H3), representing an alliance of private Dutch businesses with interests spanning the hydrogen value chain, recently showcased cutting-edge technologies that it hopes to leverage to unlock commercial opportunities from Oman's emerging green hydrogen (GH2) economy. A 'demonstration project' encompassing these technologies was made to government officials and business leaders during the recent State Visit of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to the Netherlands. Holland Hydrogen Hub's primary mandate is to participate in green hydrogen projects in Oman, among other Gulf states, with the output earmarked for local use as well as export to the Netherlands. In the Sultanate, the alliance has been collaborating with Hydrom (the national orchestrator of Oman's green hydrogen industry) and OQ (the integrated global energy group of Oman). 'At Holland Hydrogen Hub, we're enabling cross-border business opportunities to accelerate the development of the clean hydrogen value chain,' commented Marcel Kooter, Co-Founder, in a post. 'This particular project—carried out in collaboration with Hydrom, OQ, and our H3 partners—aims to showcase how an integrated suite of groundbreaking technologies can produce, store, and transport hydrogen more efficiently and sustainably.' Kooter added: 'As part of the state visit of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman to the Netherlands, we had the honour - together with William Janssen, Ted Straten, and Robert-Jan Berg - to present our demonstration project to Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and Sultan Haitham.' Contributing to the innovative solutions promoted by the alliance partners are as many as six different tech companies focused on one or more aspects of the hydrogen value chain. The list includes Desolenator, a Dutch tech startup credited with developing the world's first solar thermal desalination solution that works at scale. The company, represented by William Janssen, Founder and Director, harnesses the power of the sun to sustainably transform seawater into drinking water or ultrapure water. Other Dutch firms taking part in the demo were: Elestor BV (highlighting its advanced hydrogen flow battery for optimized energy storage); Bosal and SolydEra Group (showcasing their high efficiency SOEC electrolysis for superior hydrogen production); HyET Hydrogen BV (for efficient electro chemical hydrogen compression); Voyex (for its proprietary liquid organic hydrogen carrier – LOHC- technology for safe and scalable transport); and SoluForce (for its high pressure Flexible Composite Pipe (FCP or RTP) systems for transport of hydrogen. Ted Straten, Vice President Technology, Strategy and New Business at Bosal, and Robert-Jan Berg, Managing Director – Soluforce, were in attendance at the demo as well. Following last week's landmark Joint Development Agreement (JDA) on the establishment of the world's first Liquid Hydrogen Corridor between Oman and Europe, the Netherlands has positioned itself as a first-mover in securing Omani green hydrogen for European markets starting from around 2030. As many as 11 different companies from the Netherlands, Germany and Oman have signed up to this groundbreaking endeavour. They span the shipping, transportation, distribution, terminal operation, aggregation and end-user elements of the hydrogen supply chain.
