Objective The aims are to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology development under the dual carbon goals, and clarify China’s technological roadmap in this field.

Method By comparatively analyzing the working principles of oxygen-ion conducting and proton-conducting SOFC, this study systematically investigated the characteristics of electrolyte, anode and cathode material systems. International typical commercialization cases were incorporated to assess technology maturity and application feasibility.

Result The research indicated that China has made significant progress in the research and development of key electrode materials, but there is a gap compared to internationally advanced levels in system integration technologies, industrial supporting capacity, and industrial applications. SOFC has achieved demonstration applications in the fields of distributed generation and ship power, showing significant fuel adaptability and environmental advantages.

Conclusion Future development should focus on key breakthroughs in electrode material modification, system integration innovation and whole industrial chain collaboration. These advancements will drive SOFC toward higher efficiency and reliability, accelerating their large-scale application in energy transition.