How INMA is helping advance SOEL materials innovation

Producing renewable hydrogen efficiently and sustainably will be essential to support the transition towards climate neutrality. Among the different electrolysis technologies currently under development, Solid Oxide Electrolysers (SOEL) stand out for their high efficiency and their ability to integrate with renewable electricity and industrial heat sources. However, challenges related to durability, degradation and operating conditions still need to be addressed before large-scale deployment can be achieved.

The DESIREE project brings together leading research organisations, technology centres and industrial companies from across Europe to tackle these challenges. By combining innovations at cell, stack and system level, DESIREE aims to improve the efficiency, reliability and endurance of SOEL technology and contribute to the future production of renewable hydrogen.

One of the partners contributing to this effort is the Aragon Institute of Nanoscience and Materials (INMA), a joint research institute created by the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the University of Zaragoza (Unizar) and based in Zaragoza, Spain.

Bringing nanoscience to renewable hydrogen technologies

Established in 2020, INMA brings together more than 300 researchers, technicians and support staff working in the fields of nanoscience, nanotechnology and materials science. The institute has been awarded the prestigious Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence accreditation, Spain’s highest recognition for outstanding scientific research institutions.

The research centre develops interdisciplinary research aimed at advancing scientific knowledge while addressing real-world challenges in areas such as energy, sustainability and advanced materials. By combining expertise from multiple scientific disciplines, INMA contributes to both fundamental research and the development of innovative solutions with potential industrial applications.

Improving SOEL performance through advanced materials

Within DESIREE, INMA contributes to several key activities focused on improving the performance, durability and sustainability of SOEL technology.

One of the institute’s main responsibilities is the development of advanced electrode concepts based on nanoparticle infiltration strategies. These approaches involve introducing carefully selected nanoparticles into SOEL electrodes to improve electrochemical performance, mitigate degradation mechanisms and reduce operating temperatures while maintaining high electrochemical performance.

Building on previous research carried out at laboratory scale, INMA will optimise these advanced electrode concepts and help validate their applicability in larger commercial-scale cells. The innovations developed within the project are expected to contribute to more efficient and durable SOEL systems, helping address some of the barriers that currently limit the wider deployment of high-temperature electrolysis technologies.

INMA also contributes to DESIREE’s circularity objectives by supporting the selection of materials compatible with future recycling strategies and the reintegration of recovered critical raw materials into new SOEL components. These activities help promote a more sustainable approach to hydrogen production technologies while reducing dependence on virgin raw materials.

Beyond materials development, INMA leads activities related to the accelerated testing and validation of advanced SOEL cells. These tests will help evaluate long-term performance and durability under demanding operating conditions, generating valuable knowledge for the future development of robust and reliable SOEL systems for renewable hydrogen production.

Expertise behind the research

INMA’s contribution to DESIREE relies on a multidisciplinary team with expertise in materials science, nanotechnology, electrochemistry, project management and science communication.

Miguel Laguna – Research Scientist and DESIREE team leader
Alodia Orera – Researcher at INMA and Associate Professor at the University of Zaragoza
Carmen de la Torre – Senior Technician
Aida Alconchel – Research Technician
Ander Guerrero – EU Projects Manager
Lara Cotera – Communication Manager

According to Miguel Laguna, Research Scientist and DESIREE team leader at INMA, “one of the main challenges facing SOEL technology is maintaining high performance over long operating periods. Through advanced nanoparticle infiltration strategies, we aim to improve cell efficiency while reducing degradation, helping pave the way for more durable and efficient SOEL systems for renewable hydrogen production“.

Working together across the hydrogen value chain

Within DESIREE, INMA works alongside Spain’s National Renewable Energy Centre (CENER), Genvia, Politecnico di Torino, the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC, Bosal, EIFHYTEC, Commissariat à l’Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives (CEA), VTT Technical Research Centre and Zabala Innovation.

The consortium combines expertise spanning materials science, electrochemistry, stack development, system integration, validation, sustainability and future exploitation. This integrated approach helps ensure that innovations developed at material level can ultimately be translated into improvements at stack and system level.

By working together, DESIREE partners are helping advance renewable hydrogen technologies and support the transition towards more efficient, reliable and sustainable hydrogen production systems.