| Abstract |
As the share of renewables increases in the global energy mix, there is growing demand for large-scale, flexible conversion of electrical energy into easily storable chemical fuels. Green hydrogen has emerged as a cornerstone of decarbonization strategies. Electrolysis, particularly through solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs), offers a promising high-efficiency pathway for green hydrogen production. However, their practical integration with renewable energy systems remains a technical challenge due to their susceptibility to load-induced degradation under dynamic load conditions, occasioned by the intermittency of renewable energy systems (RES) such as wind and solar. This impacts the long-term durability and operational stability of SOECs. Geothermal energy, with its inherent baseload stability, offers a compelling solution to mitigate load variability. While significant research has addressed SOECs powered by intermittent renewable sources, little is known about their behavior under geothermal-specific load profiles. This study addresses this gap by evaluating the performance of SOECs under load variations typical of geothermal systems. It provides insights into performance degradation trends, thermal stress effects and explores strategies to mitigate and/or limit load-induced degradation. Drawing on a review of experimental and simulation studies from wind and solar-powered SOEC applications, the analysis extrapolates relevant insights for geothermal integration. The findings of this study are expected to provide guidance on operational strategies, thermal management and system configurations that optimize SOEC performance when coupled with geothermal energy. This work aims to inform future pilot projects and contribute to the broader deployment of geothermal-driven hydrogen production systems. |