Shell has signed an agreement with Aker Kvaerner and Statkraft to launch a project in Norway to explore possible large-scale applications of new zero-emission solid oxide fuel cell technology driven by natural gas. A project team from the three companies will perform a pilot study to explore the technology’s potential on a technical and commercial basis more closely. Shell and its partners aim to complete the project by 2010 and intend to become the first in the world to develop and commercialise large-scale, multi-megawatt fuel cells of this type. This project to develop and commercialize multi-megawatt fuel cells by 2010 is expected to require an investment of USD 125 million. The largest fuel cells in the world today have outputs of only a few hundred kilowatts.
