Panel: Advancing the Potential for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are highly efficient, scalable, and fuel-flexible devices that can generate electricity and thermal energy for homes and business. To advance the viability of SOFCs, researchers are investigating ways to reduce system costs, improve cell durability and performance, and potentially hybridize SOFCs with gas turbines and renewables. In a three-year project funded completely and only by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Carnegie Mellon University researchers elicited experts' assessments of the current and anticipated future costs and durability of SOFCs, barriers to improving SOFC cost and performance, and recommended government R&D levels. In the present panel discussion, experts in the field weigh in on the opportunities and challenges facing SOFCs and strategies to achieve wider adoption.

 

Moderator:

 

Jay Whitacre - Trustee Professor in Energy, Engineering and Public Policy, Materials Science and Engineering; Director, The Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation | CMU

 

Panelists:

 

-Shailesh Vora - Technology Manager, Fuel Cells | NETL

-Paul Salvador - Professor of Materials Science and Engineering; Director, Energy, Science, Technology & Policy Program | CMU

-Scott Swartz - Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder | Nexceris

-Michael Whiston - Postdoctoral Research Associate, Engineering and Public Policy | CMU

 

Learn more at cmuenergyweek.org.

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