Solid oxide electrolyzer cells in 2026: overview
Solid oxide electrolyzer cells use a ceramic electrolyte at high temperatures to split water or convert other feedstocks into hydrogen and synthesis gas. Their operating conditions can reduce the electrical input needed for electrolysis and enable integration with industrial heat. This makes them relevant to renewable hydrogen and chemical production, while high-temperature operation also raises demanding questions about component durability and system control.
In September 2026, Harbin Institute of Technology examined operating limits and carbon deposition in a hundred-watt-scale CO2 electrolysis stack, while Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology applied a digital-twin framework to local cell heterogeneity. Commercial efforts are also testing integration: Sunfire began construction of an SOEC test facility at BASF’s Schwarzheide site, and Shell Global Solutions International, Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS, and AVL List joined a program for e-SAF power-to-liquids using solid-oxide co-electrolysis.
- 1Research gains, patents ease: Publication growth was 12.2% while patent activity fell 39.4%, pointing to continued research momentum alongside a slower recent pace of patenting.
- 2Carbon control matters: CO2 electrolysis research is tackling carbon deposition through electrode design, catalyst interfaces and operating-condition analysis.
- 3Fuels draw interest: Synthetic fuels activity grew 34.7%, while research and industry projects connect co-electrolysis with e-fuels and chemical production.
Top organizations working on solid oxide electrolyzer cells
Ranked by Linknovate activity score · last 24 monthsThe activity score adds up the relevance of every patent, publication, grant and news item linking an organization to solid oxide electrolyzer cells. Showing 7 of 410 organizations.
| # | Organization | Approach | Signals (24 mo) | Momentum | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 
Tsinghua University
Research · China |
Co-electrolysis | PUB 30 · NEWS 13 | -21% | Recently, researchers associated with the university fabricated and modeled a 10-cell tubular SOEC stack for CO₂/H₂O co-electrolysis, using multiphysics analysis to examine performance non-uniformity and guide optimization. |
| 2 | 
Chinese Academy of Sciences CAS
Research · China |
CO2 electrolysis | PUB 40 · NEWS 4 | +32% | Recently, researchers associated with the academy reported SOEC studies on CO₂ electrolysis, including carbon-tolerant cathodes and exsolved catalyst interfaces, as well as ethane conversion to ethylene. |
| 3 | 
Bloom Energy
Corporate · United States |
Steam electrolysis | PAT 53 · PUB 3 NEWS 47 |
-53% | Bloom develops SOEC systems, with patents covering electrolysis-tolerant air-side electrodes and integration with ultra-hot steam for large-scale hydrogen production. |
| 4 | 
Haldor Topsøe
Corporate · Denmark |
Steam electrolysis | PAT 16 · PUB 4 GRANTS 1 · NEWS 56 |
+8% | Recently, Topsoe patented a method for operating an SOEC stack; its industrial technology has also been selected for a 55 MW green-hydrogen project supporting e-methanol production in Spain. |
| 5 | 
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
Research · China |
CO2 electrolysis | PUB 35 | -25% | Recently, researchers associated with the university reported SOEC work on carbon-tolerant cathodes, catalyst interfaces for CO₂ electrolysis, and stable iridium single-atom catalysts for high-temperature CO₂ conversion. |
| 6 | 
Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Research · China |
Co-electrolysis | PUB 33 | -6% | Recently, researchers associated with the university studied Ni migration in long-term-tested SOEC electrodes. Their work also examines H₂O–CO₂ co-electrolysis pathways, syngas composition, and multi-stack system performance. |
| 7 | 
Fuzhou University
Research · China |
CO2 electrolysis | PUB 9 · NEWS 16 | +217% | Researchers associated with the university study solid oxide electrolysis for CO₂ conversion, including the electrochemical upgrading of light alkanes to ethylene. |
| 8 | ··Hidden organizationCompany | Approach | PAT 00 · PUB 00 GRANTS 0 · NEWS 00 | +00% | Available to registered users. |
| 9 | ··Hidden organizationCompany | Approach | PAT 00 · PUB 00 GRANTS 0 · NEWS 00 | +00% | Available to registered users. |
| 10 | ··Hidden organizationCompany | Approach | PAT 00 · PUB 00 GRANTS 0 · NEWS 00 | +00% | Available to registered users. |
Startups to watch and leading research centers
Startups to watch 4 total
InfiniumUnited StatesInfinium’s patented process integrates a solid oxide electrolyzer with Fischer–Tropsch synthesis to produce liquid fuels from low-carbon electricity and carbon dioxide.
Rondo Energy Inc.United StatesRondo has patented thermal-energy-storage systems coupled to solid oxide electrolysis, using stored heat and steam generation to support continuous operation.- ··Hidden startupCountryAvailable to registered users, with funding and founding year.
Leading research institutions 332 total
- Tsinghua UniversityChinaRecently, researchers associated with the university fabricated and modeled a 10-cell tubular SOEC stack for CO₂/H₂O co-electrolysis, using multiphysics analysis to examine performance non-uniformity and guide optimization.
- Chinese Academy of Sciences CASChinaRecently, researchers associated with the academy reported SOEC studies on CO₂ electrolysis, including carbon-tolerant cathodes and exsolved catalyst interfaces, as well as ethane conversion to ethylene.
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesChinaRecently, researchers associated with the university reported SOEC work on carbon-tolerant cathodes, catalyst interfaces for CO₂ electrolysis, and stable iridium single-atom catalysts for high-temperature CO₂ conversion.
- ··Hidden research institutionCountryAvailable to registered users, with their key researchers.
- ··Hidden research institutionCountryAvailable to registered users, with their key researchers.
Where solid oxide electrolyzer cells innovation happens
Share of documents with at least one organization from each country.
Open the interactive map with all 410 organizationsMain technical approaches
Last 24 months| Approach | What it is | Documents | Leading organizations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam electrolysis | Steam electrolysis splits water using high-temperature steam, improving electrical efficiency but requiring heat integration and careful control of thermal and electrode degradation. | 958 |
Soec, Tsinghua University, Fuzhou University |
| CO2 electrolysis | CO2 electrolysis converts carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide or other products, but carbon deposition and electrode durability limit sustained operation. | 244 |
Chinese Academy of Sciences CAS, Nanjing TechUniversity, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences |
| Co-electrolysis | Co-electrolysis converts steam and carbon dioxide together into syngas, but balancing product composition and limiting carbon buildup complicate operation. | 236 |
Tsinghua University, Chinese Academy of Sciences CAS, Shanghai JiaoTong University |
| Proton-conducting ceramics | Proton-conducting ceramics transport protons through the electrolyte, but electrode activity and long-term material stability remain design challenges. | 74 |
Fuzhou University, Tsinghua University, Northwestern Polytechnical University |
| Reversible cell operation | Reversible cells switch between electrolysis and fuel-cell modes for flexible energy conversion, but mode changes add control and durability demands. | 386 |
Chinese Academy of Sciences CAS, Siemens AG, Soec |
Emerging trends
Last 12 months vs previous 36 monthsTerms whose frequency in the last 12 months grew the most compared with the previous 36 months.
Funding and investment
Recent funding rounds
Funding data records $101,972,987 across 41 grants since 2020 and $15,692,627,263 across 26 funding rounds. Round listings include broad company and project financing, so not every reported amount can be attributed directly to SOEC development.
Patent landscape
Top patent holders · last 24 monthsRecent developments
Latest news, duplicates removed- Sep 2026Next-generation e-SAF power-to-liquids process will integrate solid-oxide co-electrolysis technologyShell Global Solutions International B.V. (Amsterdam, Netherlands), Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS (Dresden, Germany) and AVL List GmbH (Graz, Austria) are joining forces on a program…Chemical Engineering
- Jul 2026Wilmington, DE, United States, Sept. 07, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hydrogen Electrolyzer Capacity is Being Quietly Locked up while Most Buyers Still Treat it as a Future Procurement Decision The Hydrogen Electrolyzer…GlobeNewswire: Advisory
- Jun 2026Dynelectro ApS has dispatched its first turn-key 250 kW Dynamic Electrolyser Unit (DEU) to Syntholene Energy’s electro-Sustainable Aviation Fuel (eSAF) demonstration project in Húsavík, Iceland. Plant is expected to be…Hydrogen Central
- Jun 2026Rapid Execution of Thermal Coupling System and Solid Oxide Electrolyzer Cell Supports Accelerated Operations Timeline Chicago, IL – May 27, 2026 –Syntholene Energy Corp. (TSXV: ESAF) (OTCQB: SYNTF) (FSE: 3DD0)…Hydrogen Central
- Month 20XXHidden developmentAvailable to registered users with alerts enabled.
Frequently asked questions about solid oxide electrolyzer cells
What companies are working on solid oxide electrolyzer cells?
Bloom Energy, Haldor Topsøe, Genvia and Aktsiaselts Elcogen are among the companies active in solid oxide electrolyzer cells. Bloom develops SOEC systems and holds patents on electrodes and steam integration. Haldor Topsøe works on stack operation and industrial applications, while Elcogen’s activity includes hydrogen-electrode materials and commercial collaboration.
Which solid oxide electrolyzer cells startups are the most promising in 2026?
Infinium and Rondo Energy Inc. are the startups identified in the available SOEC data. Infinium has patented a process integrating a solid oxide electrolyzer with Fischer–Tropsch synthesis to make liquid fuels from low-carbon electricity and carbon dioxide. Rondo has patented thermal-energy storage coupled to solid oxide electrolysis to support continuous operation.
Which universities and research centers lead solid oxide electrolyzer cells research?
Chinese Academy of Sciences CAS, Tsinghua University and the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences are prominent research organizations in SOECs. Their work includes CO2 electrolysis, co-electrolysis, carbon-tolerant cathodes and catalyst interfaces. Technical University of Denmark also studies cell durability, impurity poisoning and system operation.
How much funding has solid oxide electrolyzer cells received?
The data records $101,972,987 across 41 grants since 2020, alongside $15,692,627,263 across 26 funding rounds. These are recorded amounts associated with the topic, not a clean measure of SOEC-only investment: some round listings concern broad company finance or infrastructure projects rather than dedicated cell development.
Who holds the most solid oxide electrolyzer cells patents?
Bloom Energy leads the listed patent holders with 53 patents, followed by Haldor Topsøe with 16 and Genvia with 15. Other listed holders include Schlumberger-related entities, the French Atomic Energy Commission and Niterra Co. Ltd. The counts indicate recorded patent activity, not necessarily the size or commercial value of each portfolio.
Is solid oxide electrolyzer cells patent activity growing?
No: patent activity fell 39.4% in the latest twelve-month period compared with the previous twelve months, with 265 patents recorded in the 24-month window. Publication activity moved in the opposite direction, rising 12.2%, to 469 publications in the last year. The difference suggests research interest remains strong even as recent patenting slows.
What are the latest developments in solid oxide electrolyzer cells?
September 2026 research includes Harbin Institute of Technology’s study of carbon deposition thresholds in a CO2 electrolysis stack and Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology’s digital-twin framework for cell heterogeneity. In the same month, Sunfire began construction of an industrial SOEC test facility in Germany, while Shell Global Solutions International, Fraunhofer IKTS and AVL List joined an e-SAF co-electrolysis program.
Which countries lead solid oxide electrolyzer cells?
The United States leads with 2,011 documents, followed by China with 1,476 and Germany with 1,089. France and the United Kingdom also feature strongly, with 786 and 778 documents respectively. These figures describe recorded topic activity by country and do not by themselves measure manufacturing capacity or deployment.
What are the applications of solid oxide electrolyzer cells?
Renewable hydrogen is the largest listed application, with 1,044 documents; synthetic fuels, green ammonia, refining and chemicals, and iron and steel are also represented. SOECs can use electricity and heat to produce hydrogen or synthesis gas, supporting fuel and chemical pathways. Co-electrolysis can supply syngas for synthetic-fuel production.
What are the main approaches in solid oxide electrolyzer cells and how do they differ?
The main approaches are steam electrolysis, CO2 electrolysis, co-electrolysis, proton-conducting ceramics and reversible cell operation. Steam electrolysis targets hydrogen from water; CO2 electrolysis converts carbon dioxide; co-electrolysis processes water and CO2 together. Proton-conducting ceramics use a different ion-transport pathway, while reversible cells can also operate in fuel-cell mode.