New Generation Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells for Hydrogen Production

R&D Focus Areas:
Electrolysis

Lead Organisation:
The University of Queensland

Partners:
Direct Energy Holdings Pty Ltd, Hydrogen Solutions Ltd

Status:
Active

Start date:
July 2025

Completion date:
June 2030

Key contacts:
Professor John Zhu – z.zhu@uq.edu.au

Funding:
AUD$4,017,211 – Australian Research Council (ARC, Industry Laureate Fellowship, At Announcement)

Project total cost:
ARC funding contribution shown above.

Project summary description:
Water electrolysis powered by renewable energy is the cleanest way to produce hydrogen. The current water electrolysis technologies either have a low energy efficiency or short lifetime. This project aims to overcome the key fundamental challenges for proton conductive solid oxide electrolysis cells (P-SOEC), a game changer hydrogen production technology with high efficiency and high durability. The expected outcomes include new materials and electrode/electrolyte design for P-SOEC, new fundamental electrolysis knowledge and a P-SOEC stack module ready for commercialisation.

Related publications and key links:
 Grant – Grants Data Portal

Higher degree studies supported:
Four PhD students and two postdoctoral fellows are supported.

 

October 2025