Fuel cells are moving toward data centers

Fuel cell technology is an alternative energy source that is continuously warming up. It provides electricity by converting chemical energy. It uses an oxidant to convert fuel into electricity. Fuel cells are used to generate electricity from waste heat, providing primary or backup power, whether in commercial, industrial or residential use. But they rarely serve data centers because they used to rely on power grids, UPS and generators.

Fuel cell manufacturer Clear Edge Power now is trying to make up the loophole, they hope to data center can also be used on the basis of gasoline fuel cell as the initial electric power system, and the power grid as a case of emergency.

Market vice President Mike Upp think this would be a "traditional backup system evolutionary paradigm". Because "we do the initial power source, however, the grid is backup!"

Upp says that if stocks of fuel cell data center operators, will find that this kind of environmental friendly energy is relatively cheap, and more than any other alternative energy, wind energy and solar energy are too unstable.

The feasibility of the fuel cell

Clear Edge proposal called Clear Edge Plus data center products, is a modular protection load system and its configuration range from 5 KW to 25 KW, the three can be combined with 75 KW of energy. The system can release per kilowatt hour (KWh) leveling of 9% the cost of energy (levelized cost of energy, LCOE).In addition, the company has a product called Clear Edge CP triple redundant architecture for critical applications.

According to a 451 research analyst John Stanley said, few data center configuration for fuel cells, but as long as it is after the trial operators are well received. Fujitsu American company configuration UTC Power a hydrogen fuel cell, energy until now also is very reliable.

"Some of the old school would joke, fuel cells have only two cases will explode, one is to open it, the second is closed. But Fujitsu's case I'm afraid to let them down."

Fuel cell or a dream?

Upp said, Clear Edge in selected area data center as the development goals, including California, South Korea and Australia, and New York. These areas is characterized by high energy rate, the government encourage or require to buy alternative energy systems.

In California, per KWH energy rate from 17% to 23% per KWH. And Upp said: "if adopted ClearEdge9 % per KWH, gap is very obvious."This means less money than grid.

But he also added that for those with moderate energy use and there is no government intervention, the power grid as unreliable, still need to fuel cells, unless forced to green, fuel cells is more secure.

Herve Tardy Eaton's vice President, however, think that, in the center of the data driven by government energy strategy will encounter some problems, the government drive the trade-off. Eaton's data center products including back-up power and electric power distribution systems.

"I'm worried about the government if there is no money, can introduce tax incentives."

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