Progressive activation of degradation processes in solid oxide fuel cells stacks: Part I: Lifetime extension by optimisation of the operating conditions

► Analysis of the combined effect of multiple degradation processes in SOFC stacks. ► Acceleration of the degradation and sequential activation of processes is predicted. ► Optimisation of the operating conditions can extend lifetime by a factor up to 10. ► Operating conditions for the highest performance and the best durability differ. ► Overpotential rather than current density influences the degradation behaviour.