SUNFIRE GMBH

Their core work

Sunfire is a Dresden-based technology SME that develops and manufactures solid oxide cell (SOC) systems for both electrolysis (producing green hydrogen and synthetic fuels from electricity) and fuel cell applications (generating heat and power from biogas or natural gas). They are one of Europe's leading companies in high-temperature electrolysis, building systems from kilowatt to multi-megawatt scale. Their work spans the full chain from cell-level materials and degradation science to industrial-scale demonstration at refineries and steel plants.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In 2015–2018, Sunfire focused heavily on fuel cell commercialisation — micro-CHP deployment (PACE, HEATSTACK), SOFC system business plans (ComSos), and biogas-to-power applications. From 2019 onward, the emphasis shifted decisively toward electrolysis: green hydrogen production at industrial scale (GrInHy2.0, MultiPLHY, MegaSyn), Power-to-X pathways, and the durability science needed to make these systems last (degradation testing, protective coatings). The trajectory is clear — from fuel cells that consume hydrogen to electrolysers that produce it, at ever-larger scales.

Sunfire is scaling up toward multi-megawatt electrolysis and Power-to-X, positioning itself as a go-to partner for industrial decarbonisation projects that need large-scale green hydrogen or synthetic fuel production.

How they like to work

Sunfire operates exclusively as a participant — never as coordinator — which suggests they bring deep technology expertise into consortia led by others, typically research institutes or large industrials. With 94 unique partners across 18 countries and 14 projects, they are well-networked but not a consortium hub; they join projects where their electrolysis or fuel cell hardware is needed. Their consistent presence across both RIA (research) and IA (innovation/demonstration) projects indicates they are comfortable contributing from early-stage development through full-scale demonstration.

Sunfire has collaborated with 94 distinct partners across 18 countries, giving them a broad European network concentrated in the hydrogen and fuel cell community. Their partnerships span research institutions, industrial end-users (steel, refining), and fellow SOC technology developers.

What sets them apart

Sunfire is one of very few European companies that has deep expertise in both solid oxide fuel cells AND solid oxide electrolysis — and can operate these systems reversibly. Their progression from kilowatt-scale micro-CHP to the multi-megawatt MultiPLHY electrolyser (their largest single EU grant at EUR 4.4M) shows a company that has moved from R&D participant to industrial-scale hardware provider. For consortium builders, they bring actual electrolyser systems to the table, not just simulations or lab results.

Highlights from their portfolio

• MultiPLHY
  Largest single EC contribution (EUR 4.4M) — multi-megawatt high-temperature electrolyser for green hydrogen at an industrial site, representing Sunfire's biggest scale-up.
• GrInHy2.0
  Real-world demonstration of steam electrolysis integrated into a steel plant — proving the technology works in heavy industry, not just the lab.
• MegaSyn
  Megawatt-scale co-electrolysis targeting synthetic fuel production for refineries — a direct bridge from green hydrogen to the Power-to-X economy.