April 15, 2024
The U.S. Department of Energy awarded $36 million to OxEon Energy under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to propel its Solid Oxide Electrolysis (SOEC) manufacturing capabilities.
SOEC produces hydrogen or synthesis gas for energy storage, sustainable fuel production, and industrial processes. The company showcased this groundbreaking technology aboard the Mars Perseverance Rover within NASA’s Mars Oxygen In Situ Resource Utilization Experiment (MOXIE) and has since successfully scaled the SOEC device for earthbound applications.
This funding will target the 25 MWe annual production capacity while streamlining processes and decreasing stack manufacturing costs as a stepping stone for OxEon’s first gigawatt facility.
Project Highlights Include:
Automation Evolution: OxEon Energy will leverage cutting-edge automation technologies to transform key processes, driving down labor costs and increasing throughput. The automated equipment will be tailor-made for a 25 MWe annual production capacity, with scalability envisioned for a fully automated GWe facility.
Quality Control Improvements: In-line quality inspection protocols will improve product oversight, enhancing control, yields, and cost-effectiveness.
Strategic Collaboration: OxEon Energy is partnering with industry leaders like JR Automation, ASYS Group, ONEJOON Inc., and Silverstone Automation to spearhead the development and integration of state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment. Collaborations with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, University of New Mexico, University of Utah, Georgia Institute of Technology, Florida A&M University, and the Utah Advanced Materials & Manufacturing Initiative will center on developing quality systems, conducting techno-economic analyses, and strategizing and implementing community benefits plans.