Shell and Bloom Energy to cooperate for exploring decarbonization solutions using Bloom’s hydrogen electrolyzer technology, aimed at developing large-scale solid oxide electrolyzer (SOEC) systems that can produce clean hydrogen for potential use at Shell’s assets.

According to KR Sridhar, founder, chairman, and CEO of Bloom Energy, this technology has the potential to revolutionize decarbonization efforts in various industries.

Bloom’s SOEC technology can produce clean hydrogen at a scale to augment or replace existing fossil fuel-powered “grey” hydrogen supplies produced at refineries by high carbon dioxide-emitting steam-methane reformation. Clean, or “green,” hydrogen is produced from water electrolysis using renewable energy, essentially eliminating greenhouse gas emissions.

Demand for the Bloom Electrolyzer®, which is manufactured in California and Delaware, has been growing given the increased interest in the low-carbon economy, Bloom Energy stated in a press release.

According to an independent analysis, Bloom now has the largest operating electrolyzer manufacturing capacity in the world of any electrolysis technology, double that of its closest rival.

It staged a highly successful demonstration commencing in May of this year with the world’s largest solid oxide electrolyzer, with a capacity of 4 megawatts, where it produced 2.4 metric tons of hydrogen per day at the NASA Ames research facility in Mountain View, California. The high-temperature, high-efficiency unit produced significantly more hydrogen per megawatt (MW) than commercially demonstrated lower-temperature electrolyzers such as proton electrolyte membrane (PEM) or alkaline.