AVL, Shell and Fraunhofer IKTS Launch Four-Year Programme to Develop Solid Oxide Co-Electrolysis Power-to-Liquids Technology for Synthetic Aviation Fuel
Why It MattersThe initiative signals deeper cross-industry investment in scaling co-electrolysis-based e-SAF production toward commercial viability in the next decade.
AVL, Shell and Fraunhofer IKTS are collaborating on a four-year programme to develop a next-generation power-to-liquids process based on solid oxide co-electrolysis technology, producing synthetic aviation fuel from CO2 and low-carbon electricity. The pilot-scale test programme will run at Shell's Energy Transition Campus Amsterdam, integrating a 24-kW SOEC electrolyser with Shell's existing Fischer-Tropsch pilot plant, which previously supported commercialisation of Shell's gas-to-liquids process, alongside membrane-based separation and off-gas utilisation.
Shell contributes its XTL Process and GTL experience, Fraunhofer IKTS supplies its solid oxide co-electrolysis technology, and AVL provides electrolysis systems engineering. The test programme is expected to conclude by the end of the decade, with commercial deployment anticipated in the following decade, and is supported by the Dutch government through the DEI Energy Innovation scheme.
HP Calis of Shell said the programme would allow the parties to rigorously de-risk and optimise the technology to make e-SAF more accessible and affordable. Erik Reichelt of Fraunhofer IKTS said the collaboration would validate solid oxide electrolysis technology under realistic operating conditions, while Jürgen Rechberger of AVL said it would help translate promising technologies into reliable, scalable system performance.
