Ballard-Powered Megawatt-Scale Fuel Cell System Revolutionizes Data Center Resilience
Key Ideas
  • Caterpillar, Microsoft, and Ballard Power Systems win 'Systems Development and Integration' award for successful megawatt-scale fuel cell demonstration at a data center in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
  • The project showcases increased resiliency, lower carbon intensity, and potential for sustainable backup power in the datacenter industry, aligning with the push for eco-friendly solutions.
  • The collaboration involving key players like NREL, Linde, and McKinstry under the DoE's H2@Scale initiative highlights the industry's transition towards zero-emission electric power generation.
  • Through meticulous planning, testing, and a successful demonstration, the project proves the viability of using Ballard's hydrogen fuel cell system to meet the critical power supply needs of modern data centers efficiently and sustainably.
Caterpillar, along with Microsoft and Ballard Power Systems, received recognition for their innovation in datacenter hydrogen fuel cell technology with an award from the U.S. Department of Energy. The project successfully implemented a 1.5MW fuel cell and battery microgrid solution at Microsoft's Cheyenne datacenter, demonstrating enhanced resiliency and lower carbon intensity over a 48-hour outage simulation. In partnership with NREL, Linde, and McKinstry, the project aimed to showcase a megawatt-scale stationary fuel cell system for zero-emission electric power generation. Supported by the DoE's H2@Scale initiative, the project spanned three years and involved rigorous testing phases to ensure system safety and reliability. The final demonstration phase included system installation, commissioning, and a two-month real-life data collection period, proving the fuel cell's capability to provide uninterrupted power supply to datacenters. This project signifies a step towards sustainable solutions in datacenter operations and highlights the potential of hydrogen fuel cells to revolutionize power generation in critical infrastructure.
ADVANCEH2

Our vision is to be the world's leading online platform for advancing the use of hydrogen as a critical piece needed to deliver net-zero initiatives and the promise of a clean H2 energy future.

© 2025 AdvanceH2, LLC. All rights reserved.