Vertiv, a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions, and PEM fuel cell manufacturer Ballard Power Systems, have announced a strategic technology partnership to support alternative energy usage for data centres in North America and EMEA. The partnership has a focus on backup power applications for data centres and critical infrastructures, scalable from 200kW to multiple MWs.
Vertiv shared that it has integrated Ballard fuel cell power modules with Vertiv Liebert EXL S1 uninterruptible power system (UPS) within a demonstrated proof of concept (POC) at Vertiv’s facility in Ohio.
Based on industry-ready components, Vertiv’s demonstrated Power Module H2 solution at its Delaware, Ohio facility integrates two Ballard PowerGen 200kW fuel cell cabinets, which power the fully functional decarbonised backup system.
The solution encompasses a complete cooling sub-system, power conditioning equipment and hydrogen storage infrastructure integrated with Verti HPL Lithium-Ion batteries, Liebert EXL S1 UPS system and the Vertiv DynaFlex Energy Management Controller.
The Power Module H2 solution is part of the 1 MW Vertiv Customer Experience Center microgrid solution, which includes a 1MW AC Solar PV array and a Vertiv DynaFlex Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).
The companies shared that initial validations and tests have demonstrated the successful operation of zero GHG emission backup power integrated into an uninterruptible power architecture.
Vertiv said that its Power Module H2 is an alternative for meeting the escalating energy demands of future data centres and zero GHG emission backup power generation. The prefabricated and factory-tested system provides a rapidly deployable and scalable power infrastructure for new data centres as well as the capability of retrofitting existing sites without the need for the design of electrical infrastructure.
Nicolas Pocard, Vice President, Marketing and Strategic Partnerships, Ballard, commented: “As the soaring increase in data usage is driving up power demand and expansion of data centre capacity globally, the need to effectively manage electricity consumption and the carbon footprint of this energy-intensive sector is critical to achieve net-zero targets.”
“Ballard and Vertiv’s strategic partnership enables both parties to leverage our respective strengths to offer cost-effective, zero Green House Gas (GHG) emission fuel cell back-up power solutions that are scalable to meet data centres growing power demands,” added Pocard.
“The unprecedented adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC) are driving a need for eco-friendly power solutions for our customers, with a focus on zero-carbon and low-carbon energy alternatives,” said Viktor Petik, Vice President of Vertiv Infrastructure Solutions.
“The successful fuel cell proof-of-concept with Ballard provides a viable option for customers strengthening their data center sustainability strategy, and those moving to a future-ready Bring Your Own Power (BYOP) model.”