Advancements in hydrogen technologies for data centers

Equinix and NUS Centre for Energy Research & Technology collaboration will explore and develop hydrogen fuel technologies for green data centres using hydrogen as a fuel source for mission-critical data center infrastructure.

Green hydrogen has been identified as a viable source of sustainable energy for data centres. However, hydrogen generation on an industrial scale remains several years from being commercially viable, making it imperative to assess and adopt alternatives even as global research and development continue. 

Equinix, Inc. partners with the Centre for Energy Research & Technology (CERT) under the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) College of Design and Engineering and will explore technologies that enable the use of hydrogen as a green fuel source for mission-critical data center infrastructure to advance the sustainability of digital infrastructure and reach its climate neutral targets, aligned to science-based targets, by 2030. This partnership forms part of Equinix’s Future First strategy that underscores the company’s commitment to greening the digital economy.

Equinix and CERT will launch the world’s first research project to compare the efficiency of proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells and fuel flexible linear generator technologies. PEM fuel cells are a leading contender for hydrogen energy. At the same time, fuel-flexible linear generators enable operators to easily switch between various clean fuel options, including hydrogen, biogas, and renewable liquid fuels. Adopting these technologies may allow data centres to reduce carbon emissions while meeting the rising demand for data, colocation and interconnection services.

The research collaboration between Equinix and CERT will involve a holistic assessment of the suitability of these technologies for tropical data centers, considering local climatic conditions, site constraints, power demand, supply chain, fuel storage capabilities, and local regulatory policies. 

Under the MOU, CERT will conduct a comprehensive analysis of technologies identified in collaboration with Equinix to determine the operational viability of the technologies at scale. Based on the research results, Equinix expects to develop proof-of-concept projects within its global network of data centers for real-world testing and to support incorporation into future data center designs. By driving innovation in Singapore, the Equinix and CERT partnership aims to accelerate disruptive technologies that can reduce the carbon footprint of global data centers, particularly in tropical locations.

Yee May Leong, Managing Director, South Asia, Equinix, said, “Data centers serve as the conduit powering the digital economy, and greening their operations can drive the rise of sustainable business throughout the broader economic landscape.

Working with like-minded partners like the Centre for Energy Research & Technology at NUS empowers us with the combined experience and expertise to advance the growth of digital economies in line with environmental obligations, benefiting the data center industry, global economies, and the planet.”

Associate Professor Lee Poh Seng, Director of the Centre for Energy Research and Technology, NUS College of Design and Engineering, stated, “Sustainability is a key pillar of the global economy. To complement the efforts made by the public sector, timely progress also requires collaboration with stakeholders in the private sector and academia. We are keen to work with industry partners like Equinix, which is known for its sustainability efforts and provides us access to a global network of data centres that can serve as a testbed for a more accurate assessment of operational viability. Through this partnership, we look forward to driving green data center innovations that can be applied in Singapore and globally.”