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Microsoft Using Biogas-Powered Fuel Cells to Take Datacenters Off the Grid
Green Technology Featured Articles
November 15, 2013

Microsoft Using Biogas-Powered Fuel Cells to Take Datacenters Off the Grid

By Jacqueline Lee
Contributing Writer

In a recent whitepaper and blog post, Microsoft's (News - Alert) senior research program manager for Global Foundation Services, Sean James, announced Microsoft's plan to use biogas-powered fuel cells to run the datacenters of the future.


 

If successful, the fuel cells would enable datacenters to disconnect from the electrical grid. Datacenters would no longer have to incorporate costly power distribution systems into their designs.

 

"Fuel cells are very clean, reliable and perfect for small form factor applications," James wrote in his blog post. "By integrating fuel cells with IT hardware, we can cut much of the power electronics out of the conventional fuel cell system. What we are left with is a very simple and low cost datacenter and fuel cell system."

 

 

Last year, Microsoft announced a $5.5 million datacenter R&D project in which the company would construct a sustainable datacenter in Cheyenne, Wyo. The datacenter, located at the Dry Creek Water Reclamation Facility, would draw power from fuel cells run by biogas waste captured from the sewage treatment plant.

 

Converting biogas fuel sources into power grid electricity isn't an economical process. However, by locating the datacenter at the Dry Creek Facility, Microsoft can capture biogas on the premises to power its carbon-neutral data center. Microsoft can use waste gas to power its datacenter while simultaneously reducing Dry Creek's carbon emissions.

 

By designing an integrated server rack for IT equipment that is equipped with small fuel cells, Microsoft also hopes to reduce the number of datacenter failure points. In fact, Microsoft hopes that its server rack with small fuel cells will enable zero downtime during power outages.

 

In addition to creating a cheaper datacenter, Microsoft may mass-produce its fuel cell-equipped server racks. By purchasing these racks, businesses and providers that want to construct datacenters can speed up their construction time. Instead of requesting custom-built electrical equipment, companies can purchase and install stock Microsoft server racks.

 

Because the fuel cells are close to the servers, direct DC power distribution becomes possible. According to James, the Dry Creek facility has double the efficiency of a traditional datacenter.




Edited by Cassandra Tucker


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