FuelCell Energy and ExxonMobil extends CO2 capture agreement

FuelCell Energy, Inc. has signed a six-month extension, until April 2022, with ExxonMobil to collaborate on carbonate fuel cell technology to capture CO2 from industrial facilities and power generation.

The parties are also contemplating the ExxonMobil pilot in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and potentially other locations to deploy FuelCell Energy’s carbonate fuel cell platform to capture carbon dioxide emissions.

A decision on the Rotterdam project is expected in 2022, dependent on achieving technical milestones over the next six months. In addition to pilot project deployments, FuelCell Energy and ExxonMobil are discussing the next phase of carbon capture development.

FuelCell Energy technology uses carbonate fuel cells to capture and concentrate CO2 from industrial sources. Combustion exhaust is directed to the fuel cell, producing power while capturing and concentrating CO2 for permanent storage. The modular design enables the technology to be deployed at a wide range of locations, leading to a more cost-efficient path for the deployment of carbon capture and sequestration.

Jason Few, CEO of FuelCell Energy, said, “[Our technology] captures carbon dioxide from various exhaust streams, while generating additional power, unlike traditional carbon capture technologies, which consume significant power.”

Vijay Swarup, VP at ExxonMobil, said, “ExxonMobil is working to develop breakthrough solutions in carbon capture, hydrogen and biofuels and identify commercially viable technologies the world will need to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.”

Meanwhile, ExxonMobil and Indonesia Pertamina also signed an MoU to evaluate the potential for large-scale deployment of low-carbon technologies in Indonesia, during COP26.