About New Generation Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (NewGenSOFC)

New Generation Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (NewGenSOFC) is a four year EU funded project running between January 1 2014 and December 31 2017. The overall aim of this project is to achieve low-cost engineering solutions for the commercialisation of microtubular solid oxide fuel cell (mSOFC) technology.

We will integrate mSOFC into a micro combined heat and power system operating on natural gas, to improve the efficiency of current-day boilers. The collaboration is between a ceramic fuel cell producer SME (Adelan), a giant ceramics manufacturer OEM (Kale), and academic researchers (Gebze Higher Institute of Technology and the University of Birmingham).

The project creates unique scientific, engineering and commercial synergies between European Partners with complementary skill-sets, to support a growth industry.  We will support international research training opportunities for young scientists to develop their careers in this field, and establish a new international MSc level module as part of a continuing professional development (CPD) programme. Online academic resources for international teaching programmes in the sector and high profile outreach events will support researchers in Europe and globally.

The strategic long-term vision for the partners is to innovate and commercialise low-cost SOFCs for household energy generation, based on patented designs, integrated systems and prototypes developed in other EC, UK and TR projects. It will validate the technical, social and commercial prospects of specific mSOFC products. We envisage CHP systems will replace household boilers in a transition towards a hydrogen economy, and very early prototypes are already being installed at high cost.