Estonia witnesses the inauguration of Elcogen's solid oxide fuel cell manufacturing facility
Elcogen Opens State-of-the-Art Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Facility in Tallinn, Estonia
European technology firm Elcogen has made a significant stride in the renewable energy sector with the opening of a 14,000 sq m solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) facility in Tallinn, Estonia. The grand launch event was attended by Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, CEO of Hydrogen Europe, who expressed his appreciation for the development.
The new facility, known as ELCO I, incorporates sustainability measures such as process heat reuse and thermal oxidisers to minimise emissions. It boasts an increased production capacity from 10MW to 360MW, a testament to Elcogen's commitment to advancing renewable energy technologies.
The financing for this €50m operation was provided by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Investment Bank (EIB). The project also received €25m from the European Innovation Fund. Notable investors in the project include US-based Baker Hughes, which recently bought Chart Industries, and South Korea's HD Hyundai.
Enn Õunpuu, CEO of Elcogen, plans to license its technology and manufacturing blueprint to partners, ensuring consistent control of Elcogen's intellectual property while enabling local manufacturing. This licensing strategy will enable the production of cells, stacks, and modules from the ELCO I site to be integrated into third-party systems for various applications, such as distributed energy, off-grid and stationary power, industrial backup, green hydrogen production, and power-to-X solutions.
SOFCs, the technology behind the ELCO I site, are currently receiving increased attention due to their potential for efficient electricity generation and emission reduction. The versatility of SOFCs is another significant advantage, as they can operate on hydrogen, ammonia, and natural gas.
In related news, a new report titled "Estonia Pulse Report" is now available, offering insights into the country's economic and technological landscape. This report serves as a testament to Estonia's growing importance in the global renewable energy sector.
According to Chatzimarkakis, Elcogen's new facility provides a significant boost to Europe's electrolysis and fuel cell capacity. The positive impact of this development on the continent's renewable energy sector is undeniable, and it is a step towards a more sustainable future.
