FuelCell Energy and ExxonMobil extend partnership on carbon capture technology

FuelCell Energy, Inc., and ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company (EMTEC) have updated and extended their joint development agreement to further develop technology that captures CO2 emissions from industrial sources while simultaneously producing electricity and hydrogen. The agreement has been extended through December 31, 2026.

The technology, which is being tested at a pilot project at Esso Nederland BV’s Rotterdam Manufacturing Complex, is expected to start up in early 2026. The project is co-funded by the European Union under the Emissions Trading System Innovation Fund and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency through a Demonstration Energy and Climate Innovation (DEI+) grant.

The updated agreement allows FuelCell Energy to market its original carbon capture technology and a modified version that includes innovations from the jointly developed design. The technology aims to improve the economics of carbon capture and potentially lower the barrier to broader adoption in the marketplace.

Jason Few, CEO and president of FuelCell Energy, stated that the updated agreement will enable quicker access to the technology for commercial customers, particularly for small- to mid-scale opportunities. He also noted that the technology has met or exceeded key technical performance criteria, highlighting the significant commercial possibilities for clean energy.

FuelCell Energy and ExxonMobil are also planning to negotiate a commercial framework to enable deployments of the carbonate fuel cell technology for carbon capture. The companies will continue to engage the industrial emitter market, focusing on the unique value proposition offered by their technology.

Manufacturing of the modules for the Rotterdam demonstration has begun at FuelCell Energy’s facility in Torrington, Connecticut, U.S.A. The collaboration between FuelCell Energy and ExxonMobil has been ongoing for 10 years, focusing on reducing CO2 emissions from emission-intensive sectors while generating electricity and hydrogen.