Microsoft announces green hydrogen project with ESB
Microsoft has entered into an agreement with ESB that will see its data centre power control and administration building in Dublin be powered by zero emissions green hydrogen power. The landmark pilot project is the first time that hydrogen fuel cells will be used to provide electricity to a Microsoft data centre in Europe, supplying up to 250kW of energy to Microsoft’s Dublin campus over an eight-week period.
ESB’s zero-emission hydrogen fuel cells convert stored green hydrogen to electricity, with the only by-product being pure water. Designed to replace diesel generators, hydrogen fuel cells produce no carbon emissions or harmful local air pollutants such as particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides, which can have significant health and environmental impacts.
The pilot is part of a series planned by ESB in 2024 and 2025 showcasing the potential impact hydrogen energy can have in helping to decarbonise the strategically important data centre sector in Ireland.
Eoin Doherty, vice president, EMEA regional leader, Microsoft cloud operations & innovation, said: “The green hydrogen project we’re launching with ESB is a pioneering first for Microsoft in Europe, demonstrating how zero-emissions hydrogen can be harnessed to power our digital lives. If scaled successfully, it could provide new ways of advancing sustainability in our sector and beyond.”
Jim Dollard, ESB executive director, generation & trading, said: “ESB believe green hydrogen will play an important role in the net zero energy system of the future. We’re delighted to be working with Microsoft on this innovative pilot project that will showcase the potential for green hydrogen as part of zero emission electricity generation for data centres.”
Microsoft’s hydrogen fuel cell pilot project, in collaboration with ESB, is aligned with the ‘Principles for Sustainable Data Centre Development’ set out by Government in its 2022 policy statement by supporting the development of data centres that make efficient use of the electricity grid and delivering renewable energy.
TechCentral Reporters
Subscribers 0
Fans 0
Followers 0
Followers