en.Wedoany.com Reported - Equinix has launched its first trial of hydrogen fuel cell technology at a data center in Ireland, aiming to replace diesel backup power generation. The company has partnered with ESB (Electricity Supply Board of Ireland) and GeoPura to deploy two hydrogen-powered generators at its DB3 data center facility. This 12-week trial will be used to support cooling operations, and Equinix stated that the project has already helped reduce the site's Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) to below 1.3.
The trial is evaluating hydrogen-powered generators as an alternative to diesel and natural gas backup systems. These units, powered by green hydrogen and utilizing PEM fuel cell technology, can provide 250 to 500 kilowatts of continuous power and include 216 kilowatt-hours of battery storage. According to GeoPura, the technology is scalable to provide up to 50 megawatts for backup or primary power applications.
Andrew Cunningham, CEO of GeoPura, stated that as demand for digital infrastructure continues to grow, operators face pressure to ensure reliable power supply, reduce emissions, and minimize impact on local communities. He said this trial demonstrates how hydrogen can address these challenges by combining hydrogen fuel cell technology with battery systems and uninterruptible power supply capabilities, providing reliable zero direct on-site emission power with instant response when needed.
Peter Lantry, Managing Director of Equinix Ireland, said this is a landmark research project that could become part of the solution to Ireland's grid constraints and clean energy access challenges. He noted that Ireland has already made substantial progress in hydrogen and its large-scale storage, and what they are doing with ESB is a different piece of the same puzzle—proving that hydrogen can serve as a practical, zero direct on-site emission alternative to diesel and natural gas in real-world environments. If this pilot meets expectations, it will add momentum to Ireland's decarbonization story.
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