Samsung Heavy Industries develops solid oxide fuel cells for ships and data centers
Promote development and commercialization of solid oxide fuel cells applicable to ships and data centers by 2028
Quick Look
- Samsung Heavy Industries signed a memorandum of understanding with Japan's Morimura SOFC Technology for the joint development and commercialization of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) applicable to ships and data centers by 2028.
- Samsung Heavy Industries is responsible for engineering and commercialization, and Morimura is responsible for supplying cells and stacks.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Samsung Heavy Industries has begun joint development of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) with the goal of developing next-generation eco-friendly equipment. SOFC is a power generation device that generates electricity through a chemical reaction between oxygen and fuel such as hydrogen or liquefied natural gas (LNG) using a solid electrolyte made of ceramic. It can reduce carbon emissions and has high power generation efficiency compared to engines, which are traditional power generation equipment.
Samsung Heavy Industries is embarking on joint development of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) with the goal of developing next-generation eco-friendly equipment.
Samsung Heavy Industries announced on the 9th that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for SOFC development and commercialization with Japan's Morimura SOFC Technology (hereinafter referred to as Morimura) at the Samsung Heavy Industries Pangyo R&D Center.
Based on this agreement, Samsung Heavy Industries will begin research and development of SOFC applicable to ships and data centers with Morimura by 2028.
Samsung Heavy Industries will be responsible for engineering, system integration, and commercialization of large-capacity SOFC products, and Morimura will be responsible for supplying the cells and stacks that make up SOFC.
In the recent global eco-friendly market, reducing the burden of carbon emissions and securing stable power is a challenge.
SOFC is a power generation device that generates electricity through a chemical reaction between oxygen and fuel such as hydrogen or liquefied natural gas (LNG) using a solid electrolyte made of ceramic. It can reduce carbon emissions and has high power generation efficiency compared to engines, which are traditional power generation equipment.
Existing fuels such as LNG can be used as is, making it easy to apply to ships.
Accordingly, Samsung Heavy Industries plans to promote the application of SOFC in the construction of commercial ships to respond to carbon emissions regulations and develop next-generation unmanned, autonomous and electrified ships.
If SOFC is used as a power source for ships, diagnosis and maintenance can be performed remotely from land, making it possible to build an unmanned system in the maintenance field.
Various business synergies are expected as it can be expanded to apply to floating data centers, which Samsung Heavy Industries is pursuing as a new product.
Kim Kyung-hee, head of Samsung Heavy Industries' Future Business Division (Vice President), said, "Based on Samsung Heavy Industries' network in the shipbuilding and marine field and Morimura's technological expertise, the two companies will work closely together to pioneer new markets."
Yoshikuni Sato, CEO of Morimura, said, "Following the philosophy of pioneering the future in the energy field, we would like to create and provide new value through solid cooperation with Samsung Heavy Industries."
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Samsung Heavy Industries will develop SOFC commercialization products applicable to ships and data centers by 2028.
Likely · Within years
Open Questions
- What is the specific budget amount invested in SOFC development?
- What are Morimura SOFC Technology’s existing SOFC technology performance and commercialization cases?
- What are the expected power production and costs when applying SOFC to a floating data center?
