Sunfire begins SOEC test facility construction at Industrial Park Lausitz
- Sunfire will validate its latest, most powerful SOEC product generation at BASF’s Schwarzheide Industrial Park under real industrial conditions.
- SOEC technology operates at about 850°C and Sunfire cites electrical efficiencies up to 89% (LHV, AC); 84% (LHV, AC) was demonstrated in 2022 with GEN 1 in GrInHy2.0.
- The site offers high-performance infrastructure and rapid grid connection enabling long-term operational testing to support first commercial projects.
- The project builds on H2Giga (HTEL MODULE) research funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research and is supported within the IPCEI framework, with the European Investment Bank co‑financing development and industrialization via a loan.
Project start and purpose
Sunfire and Industrial Park Lausitz have broken ground on a green hydrogen SOEC test facility at BASF’s Schwarzheide site to validate Sunfire’s latest and most powerful solid oxide electrolyzer generation under industrial conditions.
Technology and expected performance
Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell (SOEC) technology operates at around 850°C and can achieve electrical efficiencies cited up to 89% (LHV, AC). An electrical efficiency of 84% (LHV, AC) was previously proven in 2022 with Sunfire’s GEN 1 in the EU‑funded GrInHy2.0 project.
Site advantages and objectives
The Schwarzheide location provides industrial infrastructure and a fast grid‑connection process, enabling long‑term operational validation and additional insights to support the transition from demonstration to first commercial projects and larger‑scale deployment.
Funding and programme context
The SOEC advances stem from the H2Giga flagship (HTEL MODULE) funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, and the test facility supports maturity within the Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI) framework, with the European Investment Bank co‑financing development and industrialization through a loan.
Source: Sunfire
