A review of solid oxide steam-electrolysis cell systems for green hydrogen production: Thermodynamics and thermal integration

Professor Jongsup Hong's research group (co-first authors: Gyubin Min and Saeyoung Choi) published a review article on thermodynamic mechanisms and thermal integration of solid oxide steam-electrolysis cell (SOEC) systems with system verification status. Although SOEC systems can produce green hydrogen, one of the most important energy carriers for achieving decarbonization, there has been one critical issue in that the system requires a high-temperature heat source depending on the operating conditions. However, the SOEC system research community has only been focused on electrical characteristics: integration with renewable electricity sources. Therefore, Professor Hong's group analyzed the thermodynamic mechanisms of SOEC systems and suggested potential high-temperature heat sources that can be integrated. Furthermore, Professor Hong's group suggested key operating parameters and performance indices in a standardized manner, on which commercialized SOEC systems were analyzed. This review highlights that the thermal aspect of the SOEC system is as much important as the electrical characteristics. Professor Hong's group is continuing research on the thermal integration of SOEC systems. This review paper has been published in Applied Energy (IF: 11.446, JCR upper 6.3%).