Ceres Power successfully commissioned its first megawatt-scale solid oxide electrolyser cell (SOEC) demonstrator system, which is now producing hydrogen at Shell’s Technology Centre in Bangalore, India. This marks a significant milestone—not only for Ceres—but also for India, as it’s the country’s first operational MW-scale SOEC system.
A Step Forward in Electrolyser Efficiency and Scalability
The demonstrator is the result of a collaboration between Ceres and Shell since 2022. It showcases the maturity and scalability of Ceres’s solid oxide electrolyser technology. At full capacity, the system can produce up to 600 kilograms of hydrogen per day. It achieves an impressive electrolyser module efficiency of 37 kWh per kilogram of hydrogen.
Advanced Design for Lower Temperatures and Cost Efficiency
Ceres’s unique metal-supported SOEC design enables operation at lower temperatures than conventional SOECs. This enhances system robustness and may reduce operating costs. This next phase of the project aims to validate those benefits and collect performance data. The insights will help develop a commercially scalable solution for industrial hydrogen applications.
Strengthening India’s Green Hydrogen Ecosystem
As the demonstrator enters its operational phase, it sets the stage for building India’s green hydrogen capabilities. Ceres CEO Phil Caldwell highlighted, “This achievement illustrates how Ceres’s high-efficiency technology can scale to meet the needs of industry and deliver a route to economically viable hydrogen for green steel, ammonia, and synthetic fuels.” He also emphasized the alignment with India’s ambitions to develop at least five million metric tons of green hydrogen production capacity annually by 2030.
Shell and Ceres Advance Clean Hydrogen Technology Together
Shell’s support in system installation, integration, and safety assurance has played a key role in bringing this demonstrator online. Theo Bodewes, General Manager of Hydrogen at Shell Projects and Technology, remarked, “Hydrogen has a huge role to play in a low-carbon energy system… This latest milestone is the next stage in helping us to learn and evaluate the best approach to producing lower-cost electrolysed hydrogen.”
Looking Ahead
With hydrogen now flowing, the project shifts focus to collecting operational insights. These findings will help drive the next generation of efficient, cost-effective, and scalable electrolyser systems. As reported by hydrogentechworld.com, the joint achievement between Ceres and Shell marks a major milestone. It’s a crucial step toward a cleaner, hydrogen-powered industrial future.
