Demonstration marks significant progress
toward providing data centers with reliable and sustainable
backup power with hydrogen technology
IRVING,
Texas, Jan. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Caterpillar
Inc. (NYSE: CAT) announced the success of its collaboration with
Microsoft and Ballard Power Systems to demonstrate the
viability of using large-format hydrogen fuel cells to supply
reliable and sustainable backup power for data centers. The
demonstration provided valuable insights into the capabilities of
fuel cell systems to power multi-megawatt data centers, ensuring
uninterrupted power supply to meet 99.999% uptime requirements.
The demonstration was conducted in a challenging environment and
validated the hydrogen fuel cell power system's performance at
6,086 ft (1,855 m) above sea level
and in below-freezing conditions. The project simulated a 48-hour
backup power event at Microsoft's data center in Cheyenne, Wyoming, where a hydrogen fuel cell
was integrated into a data center electrical plant to support its
critical load. A Caterpillar Microgrid Controller was used to
operate two Cat® Power Grid Stabilization (PGS) 1260 battery energy
storage systems along with the 1.5 MW hydrogen fuel cell.
Caterpillar led the project, providing the overall system
integration, power electronics, and microgrid controls that form
the central structure of the hydrogen power solution. "This
successful collaboration with Microsoft and Ballard demonstrates
the potential of hydrogen fuel cells to help data centers address
their critical power needs while reducing their emissions," said
Jaime Mineart, senior vice president
of Caterpillar Electric Power.
"This project's success provides an opportunity for hyperscale
providers to drive innovations in the sustainability of power
generation technologies," said Sean
James, senior director of data center research at Microsoft.
"The research and findings of the hydrogen fuel cell demonstration
will help us towards our goal of becoming carbon negative by
2030."
The project is supported and partially funded by the U.S.
Department of Energy Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office
(DOE) under the H2@Scale initiative, which brings stakeholders
together to advance affordable hydrogen production, transport,
storage and utilization in multiple energy sectors. During the
demonstration, the DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory
(NREL) analyzed safety, techno-economics, and greenhouse gas (GHG)
impacts.
"We see the completion of this demonstration as an important
proof point of the reliability and durability of Ballard's fuel
cells in providing zero-emission backup power for data centers,"
said David Mucciacciaro, Chief
Commercial Officer of Ballard Power Systems. "We are excited about
the ability of our products to meet the critical power needs of
data center customers in this rapidly growing sector."
About Caterpillar
With 2022 sales and revenues of $59.4
billion, Caterpillar Inc. is the world's leading
manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway
diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and
diesel-electric locomotives. For nearly 100 years, we've been
helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and are
committed and contributing to a reduced-carbon future. Our
innovative products and services, backed by our global dealer
network, provide exceptional value that helps customers succeed.
Caterpillar does business on every continent, principally operating
through three primary segments – Construction Industries, Resource
Industries and Energy & Transportation – and providing
financing and related services through our Financial Products
segment. Visit us at caterpillar.com or join the
conversation on our social media channels
at caterpillar.com/en/news/social-media.html.
Acknowledgement
This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department
of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
under the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office, H2@Scale
Initiative, Award Number DEEE0009252. The views expressed
herein do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S.
Department of Energy or the United States Government.
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SOURCE Caterpillar Inc.