Academic News
Amid the global push toward net-zero emissions and energy transition, hydrogen is widely regarded as a key clean energy carrier for the future. However, most hydrogen production today still relies on fossil fuels, resulting in carbon emissions, while water electrolysis technologies often face challenges related to high energy consumption and limited efficiency. With support from the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), a research team at the Hydrogen Energy Research Center of National Central University (NCU) has successfully developed high-efficiency hydrogen production cells for intermediate-temperature operation, marking an important step forward in green hydrogen technologies.
Tseng Chung-jen, Director of NCU’s Hydrogen Energy Research Center, explained that the research focuses on proton-conducting solid oxide electrolysis (P-SOEL) technology. Through long-term research efforts, the team identified that the interface between electrodes and the electrolyte is often a critical performance bottleneck in electrochemical devices. The key breakthrough of this work lies in the optimization of interfacial materials and microstructures, which significantly enhances electrolysis efficiency.
Building on years of accumulated experience in fuel cell and electrolysis research, the team integrated resources from multiple projects and engaged in interdisciplinary collaboration to gradually overcome challenges related to materials, interfaces, and fabrication processes. At present, the technology remains at the laboratory research stage. Nevertheless, intermediate-temperature solid oxide electrolysis demonstrates strong potential in terms of efficiency, energy consumption, and material stability, providing valuable technological momentum for Taiwan’s progress toward its net-zero emissions goals.
