Representing the first hydrogen production test at a thermal power station in Japan, the companies aim to achieve world-leading electrolysis efficiency using Denso’s heat management technology.

By using the plant’s waste heat as part of the energy input, SOECs can achieve efficiencies of around 80%, consuming less electricity than PEM or alkaline electrolysers.

Based on the demonstration results, Jera, Japan’s largest power producer, plans to move up to multi-megawatt systems as it targets practical application.

“To achieve Net Zero CO2 emissions from domestic and international operations, Jera is building a hydrogen and ammonia supply chain and pursuing the development of zero-emissions thermal technology that emits no CO2 during power generation,” Denso said in a statement.

The Toyota Group company is actively building the technology and manufacturing base for SOEC scale-up. Last year, the company agreed to license UK-based Ceres Power’s solid oxide stack technology.

By combining Ceres’ high-performance stack design with DENSO’s ceramics and thermal management expertise, the company aims to enable mass production of SOEC stacks.