Feb 11, 2025
The goldilocks zone: how Ceres has optimised solid oxide
Ceres solid oxide technology enables both highly efficient, reversible conversion between electrons and molecules, and a low-cost robust solution. The secret is in the operating temperature:
Not too cold:
Technologies such as PEM and Alkaline operate at low temperatures at the detriment of efficiency. Heat from these systems must be removed to keep temperatures low. Solid oxide technologies work in such a way that this heat is useful, making higher temperatures an advantage. This is what sets them apart in terms of efficiency as well as fuel flexibility.
Low-temperature electrochemical cells have lower efficiency because reactions are slower, conductivity is poor, expensive catalysts are needed to increase activity, voltage losses are higher, and more energy is lost as resistance and heat.
Not too hot:
Electrochemical cells are more efficient at high temperatures because reactions happen faster, materials conduct better, catalysts work more effectively, gases move more easily, voltage losses are reduced, and the system loses less energy overall.
However, these advantages don’t always come for free. If temperatures are too high exotic materials are required to tolerate these temperature extremes, fragile ceramic seals reduce robustness and costs can increase.
Just right:
This is why Ceres has honed-in on the Goldilocks temperature zone of 450-630⁰C and Ceria as the fundamental material. Combined with low-cost steel and welded seals, this combination provides a highly efficient, cost effective and robust solution that is ideal for a wide range of applications.