The solid oxide concept uses ceramics, which requires the SOFCs to operate at higher temperatures than other fuel cells. The high exhaust temperature and pressurization potential of the Siemens Westinghouse design make it particularly suited for combined cycles and high efficiencies, producing more energy per unit of fuel and far less carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas).
"Siemens Westinghouse cell configuration is a tube composed of multiple ceramic layers bonded together. Multiple tubes link to form bundles; bundles link to form sub-modules for small power systems; and submodules link to form a generator module for larger power plants."