Workshop origins

The Fuel Cell Systems workshop series began with the EU-funded LARGE-SOFC project in 2008. Over the past 16 years, it has been organized annually in Bruges by Prof. Robert Steinberger-Wilckens of the University of Birmingham. The series was created to provide a platform for system integrators, operators, and Balance of Plant (BoP) suppliers to exchange knowledge and experiences. 

In recent years, the workshop has expanded its scope, transitioning from a strong emphasis on SOFCs to include electrolysis operations and Power-to-X applications, particularly for maritime and aviation fuel production. This shift reflects the growing interest within the Solid Oxide Cell (SOC) community and industry in these emerging applications.

The continuity of this platform with a strong focus on SOCs within entire process systems is vital for the ongoing development of the SOC sector, supporting cross-disciplinary dialogue and the sharing of best practices. As the series moves forward, the baton will be passed on to Marc Heddrich from the German Aerospace Center (DLR) Institute of Engineering Thermodynamics, ensuring that the tradition of fostering collaboration and innovation within the field continues. The upcoming workshop series will focus on the operation and integration of both SOFC and SOEC within advanced process systems.