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Thermax, an energy and environment solutions provider, has entered a strategic partnership with Ceres Power Holdings to manufacture and commercialise solid oxide electrolysis (SOEC) systems. The collaboration marks a significant step towards large-scale green hydrogen production, focusing on hard-to-abate industries like steel, refineries, and chemical production.
The partnership is based on a non-exclusive global license agreement. Thermax will manufacture, sell, and service stack array modules (SAM) based on Ceres’ SOEC technology. The company will also develop SAM balance of modules (SBM) and multi-megawatt electrolyser modules, enhancing India’s role in green hydrogen production.
Efficiency Gains in Hydrogen Production
The SOEC technology being deployed through this partnership aims to be 25 per cent more efficient than current low-temperature electrolysis technologies. It will also utilise steam generated from industrial processes, making it an ideal solution for decarbonising industries like ammonia and fertiliser production, refineries, and steel manufacturing.
Thermax plans to establish a manufacturing facility for the electrolysers and develop a local supply chain for critical components. This step will position the company among the few globally that offer large-scale SOEC systems for commercial applications.
Ashish Bhandari, Managing Director & CEO of Thermax, shared his views on the partnership, stating, “India is making significant progress towards adopting renewable energy, especially green hydrogen. We are excited to partner with Ceres to bring this advanced technology to India. By leveraging our expertise in thermal management, we aim to deliver a cost-effective and highly efficient hydrogen production solution that will support India’s energy transition.”
Ceres’ Global Strategy
Phil Caldwell, CEO of Ceres, expressed his excitement about entering the Indian market through the partnership with Thermax. He noted that India is becoming an important market for green hydrogen, green steel, and green ammonia. “This is a strategically important agreement for Ceres as we continue to build our global network of world-class partners. Our technology enables Thermax to offer next-generation hydrogen solutions to its customers in hard-to-abate sectors.”
Ceres has built partnerships with global companies, including Bosch, Doosan, and Delta. This latest agreement is part of its broader strategy to establish a global ecosystem of partners that will drive demand for its technology in industrial decarbonisation.
The Future of Green Hydrogen in India
India has set an ambitious target to produce 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030. The collaboration between Thermax and Ceres is expected to play a key role in helping the country achieve this goal. The partnership will focus on industries that are traditionally difficult to decarbonise, offering a viable route for these sectors to transition towards cleaner energy sources.
Bhandari emphasised that the partnership aligns with Thermax’s commitment to driving sustainable solutions for industries. “This collaboration supports our vision of accelerating decarbonisation in sectors that are harder to abate. Our expertise in energy and environment solutions positions us to make a significant contribution to India’s green hydrogen goals,” he said.
Thermax plans to leverage its experience in heat integration and waste heat recovery to manufacture a first-of-its-kind pressurised SAM. The company will design and develop SBM, which will be used as a building block for multi-megawatt SOEC electrolyser modules.
Industry Impact
The green hydrogen industry is expected to grow rapidly as countries worldwide set decarbonisation targets. By integrating SOEC technology into its offerings, Thermax is positioning itself to meet the growing demand for clean energy solutions, particularly in industries that face significant challenges in reducing their carbon footprint.
As Caldwell pointed out, the entry into the Indian market presents a unique opportunity for Ceres. “Our collaboration with Thermax marks an exciting opportunity as we help enable the path to industrial decarbonisation in this rapidly developing market,” he said.
About Ceres
Ceres is a clean energy technology developer focusing on electrolysis for green hydrogen production and fuel cells for power generation. Its solid oxide technology supports greater electrification and produces green hydrogen at high efficiencies. Ceres has partnerships with global companies like Bosch and Delta and is listed on the London Stock Exchange.
Last Updated on September 16, 2024 by Nick Ross
