DEMOnstration of large SOFC system fed with biogas from WWTP

DEMOSOFC is a Horizon 2020 project coordinated by Politecnico di Torino, aimed at demonstrating the technical and economic feasibility of large-scale Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) systems fuelled by biogas. The project developed and operated one of the first industrial-scale biogas-fed SOFC plants in Europe, installed at a wastewater treatment plant in Turin (Italy). The system converts biogas produced from anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge into electricity and heat through high-efficiency combined heat and power (CHP) generation.

The demonstration plant integrates three main subsystems:

• biogas cleaning and conditioning
• SOFC power generation modules (≈100 kWe)
• heat recovery system

This configuration enables electrical efficiencies above 50%, significantly higher than conventional technologies, together with near-zero pollutant emissions.

The system is designed to supply a significant share of the energy demand of the wastewater treatment plant, improving energy self-sufficiency while valorising a renewable by-product such as biogas.

A key aspect of the project is the validation of SOFC technology under real operating conditions, including long-term operation on biogas and the development of advanced gas cleaning solutions to remove contaminants harmful to fuel cells.

In addition to the demonstration, DEMOSOFC includes techno-economic and business analysis to assess the replication potential of biogas-fed SOFC systems across Europe. The project contributes to the development of high-efficiency, low-emission distributed energy systems and supports the transition towards circular and sustainable energy infrastructures.