Solid Oxide Fuel Cells for Energy

Fuel cells were invented over a century ago and have been used in practically every NASA
mission since the 1960's, but until now, they have not gained widespread adoption because of
their inherently high costs.
Legacy fuel cell energy technologies like proton exchange membranes (PEMs), phosphoric acid
fuel cells (PAFCs), and molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs), have all required expensive
precious metals, corrosive acids, or hard to contain molten materials. Combined with
performance that has been only marginally better than alternatives, they have not been able to
deliver a strong enough economic value proposition to overcome the status quo.
Some makers of legacy fuel cell energy technologies have tried to overcome these limitations by
offering combined heat and power (CHP) schemes to take advantage of their wasted heat. While
CHP does improve the economic value proposition, it only really does so in environments with
exactly the right ratios of heat and power requirements on a 24/7/365 basis. Everywhere else the
cost, complexity, and customization of CHP tends to outweigh the benefits.
For decades, experts have agreed that solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) hold the greatest potential
of any fuel cell technology. With low cost ceramic materials, and extremely high electrical
efficiencies, solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) can deliver attractive economics without relying on
CHP. But until now, there were significant technical challenges inhibiting the commercialization
of this promising new technology. Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) operate at extremely high
temperature (typically above 800C). This high temperature gives them extremely high electrical
efficiencies, and fuel flexibility, both of which contribute to better economics, but it also creates
engineering challenges.
Bloom Energy has solved these engineering challenges. With breakthroughs in materials science,
and revolutionary new design, Bloom Energy's solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology is a cost
effective, all-electric solution.
Over a century in the making, fuel cells are finally clean, reliable, and most importantly,
affordable.

What is a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell & How Does it Work?

A fuel cell is like a battery that always runs. It consists of three parts: an electrolyte, an anode,
and a cathode.

For a solid oxide fuel cell, the electrolyte is a solid ceramic material. The anode and cathode are
made from special inks that coat the electrolyte. Unlike other types of fuel cells, no precious
metals, corrosive acids, or molten materials are required.
Next, an electrochemical reaction converts fuel and air into energy, specifically electricity
without combustion.
A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is a high temperature fuel cell. At high temperature, warmed air
enters the cathode side of the fuel cell and steam mixes with fuel to produce reformed fuel
which enters on the anode side.
Next, the chemical reaction begins in the fuel cell. As the reformed fuel crosses the anode, it
attracts oxygen ions from the cathode. The oxygen ions combine with the reformed fuel to
produce electricity, water, and small amounts of carbon dioxide.
The water gets recycled to produce the steam needed to reform the fuel. The process also
generates the heat required by the fuel cell.
As long as there's fuel, air, and heat, the process continues producing clean, reliable, affordable
energy.