India / UK - UK-based fuel cell technology company Ceres Power Holdings plc has confirmed that its solid oxide electrolyser (SOEC) demonstrator, developed in partnership with Shell plc, is now successfully producing renewable hydrogen at Shell’s R&D campus in Bangalore, Karnataka, India. The pilot, first announced in 2022, faced delays due to complex engineering requirements, supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 aftermath, and the challenges of integrating the SOEC technology. However, Ceres has now completed commissioning of the megawatt-scale system, marking a milestone in solid oxide electrolysis development. The hydrogen produced on-site will be used within the Shell facility for process heat and power, and for fuel cell testing, forming part of Shell's broader low-carbon R&D portfolio. This project is significant because it brings cost-effective green hydrogen closer to commercial reality, with Ceres still targeting a production cost of USD 1.5/kg by 2025.

Solid oxide electrolyser cells (SOECs) use a ceramic as the electrolyte in the process of splitting water molecules to produce hydrogen gas. This method of hydrogen production requires a much higher temperature to work than proton-exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis, which is used in electrolysers made by, for instance, Plug Power. Ceres reports that its system is achieving efficiency levels up to 20% higher than current commercial electrolysers.