Samsung Heavy Industries is embarking on the joint development of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC), a next-generation eco-friendly power generation technology.
On November 9, Samsung Heavy Industries announced that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Japan's Morimura SOFC Technology at its research and development center in Pangyo to develop and commercialize SOFCs for ships and data centers.
The signing ceremony was attended by Kim Kyung-hee, Vice President and Head of Samsung Heavy Industries' Future Business Division, and Yoshikuni Sato, President of Morimura, along with representatives from both companies.
Under the agreement, the two companies will jointly develop SOFCs applicable to ships and data centers by 2028. Samsung Heavy Industries will handle the engineering, system integration, and commercialization of large-capacity SOFC products, while Morimura will supply the cells and stacks that make up the SOFC.
SOFCs are power generation devices that produce electricity through the chemical reaction of fuels such as hydrogen or liquefied natural gas (LNG) with oxygen, utilizing a solid electrolyte made of ceramic materials. They consist of cells, the smallest unit that generates electricity, and stacks, which are modules that increase voltage and output by stacking multiple cells, along with fuel supply and thermal management systems.
In the global eco-friendly market, reducing carbon emissions while ensuring stable power supply has become a major challenge. SOFCs offer advantages over traditional engine-based power generation systems by reducing carbon emissions and improving efficiency. They can also utilize existing fuels like LNG, making them suitable for maritime applications.
Samsung Heavy Industries plans to apply SOFC technology to commercial vessels to respond to tightening carbon emission regulations and to develop next-generation unmanned autonomous electric ships. Utilizing SOFCs as a power source for ships will enable remote diagnostics and maintenance on land, facilitating the establishment of unmanned maintenance systems.
Additionally, Samsung Heavy Industries aims to expand the application of SOFC technology to its new floating data centers, which are currently under development. This is expected to create business opportunities in the next-generation energy solutions market, particularly for data centers that require rapid power supply.
Kim Kyung-hee stated, "Based on Samsung Heavy Industries' network in the shipbuilding and marine sectors and Morimura's technological expertise, we will closely collaborate to explore new markets."
Yoshikuni Sato expressed, "In line with our philosophy of pioneering the future in the energy sector, we want to work closely with Samsung Heavy Industries to create and deliver new value."
Meanwhile, Samsung Heavy Industries received concept design certification for a 50MW floating data center from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and Lloyd's Register (LR) in April. In June, it signed a joint development agreement with Supermicro, a U.S.-based AI server specialist, to secure server operation technology in marine environments. The two companies plan to jointly develop technology that can withstand ship motion, salt, and humidity.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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