Bosch is realigning its operations and investments relating to stationary hydrogen technologies. In the future, the supplier of technology will focus more on technologies for hydrogen production and the supply of electrolysis components, above all PEM (proton-exchange membrane) electrolysis stacks. In light of this, its operations relating to the industrialization and preparation for production of decentralized power-supply systems based on solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFC) will be discontinued. Work to explore the possibilities of solid-oxide technology will continue within the company’s corporate research unit. The company also remains highly committed to mobile applications of H2 in fuel cells and hydrogen engines.
Over the past ten years, Bosch has worked with partners to develop solid-oxide fuel-cell technology for decentralized power-supply systems. These achieved a high level of technical maturity, which was demonstrated in more than 100 pilot systems.
Recently, however, the market has not developed as expected. On the one hand, the market is especially demanding higher-output systems with carbon capture, and this makes the conditions for economical operation significantly tougher. On the other hand, the conversion of hydrogen into electricity is not yet being given the necessary priority in Europe, and especially in Germany. This means that further engineering effort will be required in the years ahead, and this will significantly reduce commercial viability.
“For us as a company, volatile market developments mean that we have to consolidate our efforts and focus our portfolio. We see hydrogen as an important source of energy for decarbonizing the energy system. For the green production of hydrogen, large numbers of electrolysis plants with high-performance stacks will have to be set up worldwide. With its expertise, Bosch has huge business opportunities here. And it is on those opportunities that we will focus,” said Dr. Thomas Pauer, the president of Bosch Power Solutions.
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Press release https://tinyurl.com/cbnmx2fn
