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I asked Microsoft Co-pilot this and here's the answer. Can hydrogen fuel cells be used to power data centers?

Copilot
Certainly! Hydrogen fuel cells can indeed be used to power data centers. In fact, Microsoft has been at the forefront of exploring this technology. Here’s what you need to know:

Recent Milestone: Microsoft achieved a significant milestone by powering a row of datacenter servers for 48 consecutive hours using hydrogen fuel cells. This breakthrough demonstrates the viability of using hydrogen as an alternative to diesel-powered backup generators1.
Cost Parity and Environmental Benefits:
Hydrogen fuel cell costs have dropped significantly, making them economically competitive with diesel generators.
Using fuel cells instead of diesel generators has several advantages, including reduced clean air permit constraints and increased operational flexibility2.
Integration with the Grid:
An Azure datacenter equipped with fuel cells, a hydrogen storage tank, and an electrolyzer (which converts water into hydrogen and oxygen) could integrate with the electric power grid.
During periods of excess wind or solar energy production, the electrolyzer could store renewable energy as hydrogen. Then, during high-demand periods, the fuel cells could generate electricity for the grid1.
Future Potential:
Hydrogen-powered long-haul vehicles could also refuel at datacenters.
Microsoft aims to play a role in the evolving energy optimization framework by leveraging hydrogen fuel cells and related infrastructure1.
In summary, hydrogen fuel cells offer a greener and more sustainable option for powering data centers!