SOFC
Science & Engineering abbreviation · Energy
| Stands for | Solid oxide fuel cell |
|---|---|
| Categories | Science & Engineering |
SOFC stands for Solid oxide fuel cell, an energy abbreviation.
Fuel cell that uses a ceramic electrolyte and operates at high temperatures, roughly 600 to 1,000 °C, to generate electricity from hydrogen, natural gas or biogas. SOFCs reach high electrical efficiency and are used for stationary power at data centers, hospitals and industrial sites.
Example: The data center installed SOFC units fueled by natural gas to provide on-site power.
Usage notes
Because of their heat, SOFCs can use fuels other than pure hydrogen, reforming them internally, and their waste heat can be put to use. The trade-off is slow start-up and stress on materials from temperature cycling. Run in reverse as electrolyzers, they are called solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs).
Related abbreviations
More energy abbreviations
- RNG – Renewable natural gas
- RPS – Renewable portfolio standard
- RTO – Regional transmission organization
- SAF – Sustainable aviation fuel
- SMR – Small modular reactor
- SoC – State of charge
- SoH – State of health
- STC – Standard test conditions
- T&D – Transmission and distribution
- TOU – Time-of-use (rate)
- V2G – Vehicle-to-grid
- VPP – Virtual power plant