Next Steps in the National Fuel Cell Research Center - Microsoft Collaboration

The National Fuel Cell Research Center is working with Microsoft Corporation to improve the reliability and the energy efficiency of data centers. After demonstrating and evaluating the use of a 10 kW Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) stack and system for directly powering the servers in a data center, the NFCRC and Microsoft are initiating the design and testing of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) system as a Distributed Generation (DG) prime mover that has higher reliability and efficiency, for both steady state and dynamic operation of the servers. SOFC advantages include fuel flexibility, non-precious metal catalyst, completely solid-state cell components, and the production of high quality waste heat for co-generation applications inside the data center.



November 21, 2014