Fuel Cell Installations in Data Centers: Top 10 Projects & Companies
Powering the Future: Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Revolutionize Data Centers
Imagine a world where data centers, the power-hungry engines of the digital age, operate with near-zero emissions. It’s not a futuristic fantasy, but a rapidly approaching reality, fueled by innovative technologies like solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). These electrochemical devices convert fuel, often natural gas or hydrogen, directly into electricity, boasting higher efficiencies and lower emissions than traditional combustion-based power generation. The growing deployment of SOFCs in data centers signals a paradigm shift towards sustainable computing.
Here’s a look at some of the largest fuel cell installations in data centers that are driving this transition:
Installations:
1. AEP Secures Up to 1 GW of Fuel Cells for Data Centers
Company: AEP, Bloom Energy
Installation Capacity: Up to 1 GW (initial order of 100 MW)
Applications: Powering data centers
Source: AEP Orders up to 1 GW in Fuel Cells to Meet Data Center Demand
2. Bloom Energy and SK Eternix Partner for World’s Largest Fuel Cell Installation
Company: Bloom Energy, SK Eternix
Installation Capacity: 80 MW
Applications: Powering two ecoparks in North Chungcheong Province, South Korea.
Source: Bloom Energy Announces World’s Largest Fuel Cell Installation in History
3. Equinix Expanding Fuel Cell Capacity with Bloom Energy
Company: Equinix, Bloom Energy
Installation Capacity: Exceeding 100 MW (75 MW operational, 30 MW under construction)
Applications: Powering Equinix’s International Business Exchange (IBX) data centers across the US.
Source: Bloom Energy Supports Additional Capacity at Equinix’s IBX Data Centers
4. ECL Debuts 1 GW Off-Grid Hydrogen-Powered ‘AI Factory’ Data Center
Company: ECL
Installation Capacity: 1 GW (planned)
Applications: Powering an AI factory data center using hydrogen fuel cells and battery storage.
Source: ECL Debuts 1 GW Off-Grid Hydrogen-Powered ‘AI Factory’ Data Center on 600 Acres Near Houston
5. CoreWeave Data Center Project in Illinois
Company: CoreWeave, Bloom Energy
Installation Capacity: Not specified, but utilizing Bloom Energy solid oxide fuel cell technology.
Applications: Powering a hyperscale data center project.
Source: Bloom Energy Bringing Fuel Cell Power to CoreWeave Data Center Project in Illinois
6. Microsoft and Plug Collaborate on 3MW Fuel Cell
Company: Microsoft, Plug Power
Installation Capacity: 3 MW
Applications: Testing hydrogen fuel cells for backup power in data centers.
Source: Hydrogen Fuel Cells in Data Centers: A Clean Energy Revolution
7. Microsoft builds 3MW hydrogen fuel cell backup power plant
Company: Microsoft
Installation Capacity: 3 MW
Applications: Demonstrated a 3MW power generation system powered by hydrogen for backup power to data centers.
Source: Microsoft builds 3MW hydrogen fuel cell backup power plant – DCD
8. Microsoft and Caterpillar power data center for 48 hours using hydrogen fuel cell
Company: Microsoft, Caterpillar, Ballard Power Systems
Installation Capacity: Not specified, demonstration project.
Applications: Simulated a 48-hour backup power event at a data center using a hydrogen fuel cell.
Source: Microsoft and Caterpillar power data center for 48 hours using …
9. Apple’s Maiden, North Carolina iCloud Data Center
Company: Apple
Installation Capacity: 10 MW
Applications: Powering iCloud data center, coupled with solar panels.
Source: [PDF] Hydrogen-Based Energy Storage Systems for Large-Scale Data …
10. Silicon Valley Data Center Powered by Bloom Energy
Company: Intel, Bloom Energy
Installation Capacity: Not specified, but described as Silicon Valley’s Largest Fuel Cell Powered high-performance computing Data Center.
Applications: Powering an Intel high-performance computing data center.
Source: Bloom Energy Announces Largest Silicon Valley Data Center Power …
From Hyperscale to Backup: SOFCs Finding Their Niche
The diverse applications of SOFCs in data centers are compelling. While some installations, like AEP’s potential 1 GW deployment and Equinix’s exceeding 100 MW, aim for primary power, others, particularly Microsoft’s projects, focus on backup power solutions. The planned 1 GW “AI Factory” by ECL represents a bold vision of off-grid, hydrogen-powered computing. The fact that companies are investigating SOFCs for both primary and backup power suggests confidence in their reliability and economic viability across various operational needs. CoreWeave’s hyperscale data center project adds another layer, indicating SOFCs are being considered even for the most demanding computing environments.
Powering the Globe: A Regional Snapshot
While SOFC adoption is still relatively nascent, some geographic trends are emerging. The United States appears to be leading the charge, with significant installations by Equinix, AEP, CoreWeave, Intel and Microsoft. South Korea is also a key player, as demonstrated by the Bloom Energy/SK Eternix project. These regions likely benefit from supportive regulatory environments, access to technological expertise, and a strong commitment to sustainability. Apple’s North Carolina data center also points to continued expansion in states with renewable energy targets and incentives. As SOFC technology matures and costs decline, we can expect broader adoption across other regions.
Are SOFCs Ready for Prime Time? Analyzing Tech Maturity
The installations provide crucial insights into the technological maturity of SOFCs. The projects with defined capacity such as the Equinix and Apple installations suggest that SOFC technology is commercially viable for primary power applications. Pilot projects by Microsoft, alongside the ECL and Coreweave deployments suggest that the technology is being rapidly adopted. The use of hydrogen as a fuel source in some Microsoft projects, and the hydrogen-powered ECL data center show that SOFC technology is being tested to scale and is capable of operating using carbon-free fuel.
Sustainable Computing’s Trajectory: A Glimpse into the Future
These installations signal a clear shift towards more sustainable data center operations. As concerns about energy consumption and carbon emissions intensify, SOFCs offer a compelling alternative to traditional power sources. Future installations are likely to see increasing use of renewable hydrogen, further reducing the carbon footprint of data centers. The trend towards larger-scale deployments, exemplified by the AEP and ECL projects, suggests that SOFCs are poised to play a significant role in powering the data-driven economy. The integration of SOFCs with battery storage, as seen in the ECL project, will also become more common, enhancing the reliability and resilience of data center power systems. The future of data centers is undeniably intertwined with the advancement and adoption of clean technologies like solid oxide fuel cells.
