The University of Wisconsin-Madison and its partners aim to demonstrate a first-of-a-kind integration of a solid oxide electrolyzer cell (SOEC) with an industrial direct reduction (DR) shaft furnace. SOEC integration with a shaft furnace offers a unique opportunity to reintegrate waste heat from shaft furnace off-gas into hydrogen generation. This hydrogen can be reutilized in the reduction process to produce direct reduced iron/hot briquetted iron. Additionally, an SOEC does not require scarce platinum group metal catalysts for hydrogen production. The technology aims to demonstrate at least 90% GHG emissions reduction potential for DR ironmaking at a production capacity of 1.6 million tons per year.