Microsoft is trialing zero-emissions green hydrogen at its data center in Ireland.
The company has launched a pilot program in collaboration with hydrogen supplier ESB, which will deploy hydrogen fuel cells to power the control and administration building at its Dublin campus. These fuel cells are expected to deliver up to 250 kW of power over an eight-week period.
This pilot is part of a broader initiative planned by ESB for 2024 and 2025 to demonstrate the versatility of hydrogen fuel cell technology across various power applications. Microsoft views this project as an important step in showcasing how hydrogen energy can help decarbonize the critical data center sector in Ireland.
Eoin Doherty, vice president and regional leader for Microsoft Cloud Operations + Innovation in EMEA, stated, “The green hydrogen project we’re launching with ESB is a pioneering first for Microsoft in Europe. It shows how zero-emissions hydrogen can be used to power our digital lives. If successful, it could lead to new sustainability advancements in our industry and beyond.”
Hydrogen is considered a promising clean energy source for data centers and other applications, but its flammability poses challenges for transportation and storage. Green hydrogen specifically refers to hydrogen produced without generating emissions.
Microsoft has been exploring hydrogen fuel cells for several years. In January, it operated its Cheyenne, Wyoming campus on hydrogen fuel cells for 48 hours as part of a joint experiment with Caterpillar.
Jim Dollard, ESB’s executive director of generation and trading, commented, “ESB believes green hydrogen will be vital in the future net-zero energy system. We’re excited to collaborate with Microsoft on this innovative pilot project, showcasing the potential of green hydrogen in zero-emission electricity generation for data centers.”
Additionally, Microsoft received approval last year to build a 170 MW gas power plant at its Dublin campus, which is intended solely for backup power.
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