The use of zero emission hydrogen fuel cells is growing, and eventually could prove viable for mainstream applications like automobiles. Leading data center technology provider APC by Schneider Electric is making the environmentally friendly energy source an option now for replacement of diesel-fueled generators and much heavier traditional batteries.
APC’s Fuel Cell Extended Run fuel cells are designed to work with three-phase uninterruptible power supply systems and provide hours of critical back-up power without harmful emissions. They can be used in locations such as high rises, where diesel systems are prohibited, and where lead acid batteries sufficient for multiple hours of protection would result in too much weight, or require too much room for storage.
The second generation fuel cells will be available in the fourth quarter. Over the past two years, APC conducted a 10 site beta test of the hydrogen fuel cell technology. The product is available 10 kilowatt increments up to 30 kilowatts. Depending on how much hydrogen is stored and where it is stored, the cells can provide six to eight hours of run-time in a smaller footprint than lead acid batteries.
The electrical conversion of hydrogen and oxygen creates no emissions, which is making fuel cell development an increasing priority. APC believes initial deployments will be in space-constrained environments, as hydrogen fuel cells will remain a more costly solution than diesel or lead acid.
“We are looking for customers who are having difficulty placing a diesel generator and have long run-time requirements,” says T.J. Jeannette, senior product manager with APC. “It’s a good environmental design specifically tailored to fit in a data center. It eliminates carbon output and operates with less noise and fewer vibrations. We are in the advancement stages of the technology, and finding customers who don’t realize that fuel cells are an option.”
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