Shell, Fraunhofer IKTS and AVL join forces to develop solid oxide co-electrolysis-based power-to-liquids technology for synthetic aviation fuel
In the Netherlands, Shell Global Solutions International B.V., Fraunhofer IKTS and AVL are joining forces on a program designed to develop a next-generation power-to-liquids (PTL) process based on solid oxide co-electrolysis technology for the production of synthetic aviation fuel (e-SAF) from CO2 and low-carbon electricity.
The collaboration will last four years and deliver an integrated pilot-scale test program at Shell’s Energy Transition Campus Amsterdam (ETCA), bringing together high-temperature co-electrolysis using solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOEC), advanced membrane-based separation, Fischer–Tropsch (FT) synthesis and off-gas utilization. The parties expect this research will help make future e-SAF production more efficient and affordable than currently available PTL technologies.
Shell contributes to the program with its Shell XTL Process*, which builds on decades of experience in the gas-to-liquids (GTL) process, while the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS supplies its advanced solid oxide co-electrolysis technology and AVL provides electrolysis systems engineering capabilities.
The pilot-scale test program will combine a 24-kW SOEC electrolyzer configured for co-electrolysis with Shell’s existing FT pilot plant, which also supported the commercialization of Shell’s GTL process. The test program is expected to conclude by the end of the decade, with commercial deployment by industry anticipated during the following decade. The program is supported by the Dutch government through the DEI Energy Innovation scheme (DEI1250051), recognizing its potential to advance next-generation e-SAF technologies.
Category: SAF
