Microsoft is researching the idea of locating its data centers near landfills and wastewater treatment plants from which they could generate their own power. A recent blog by Christian Belady, general manager of Data Center Services for Microsoft, outlined the company’s vision of grid independent fuel cell powered data centers utilizing biogas as a fuel source. He notes that data centers require a consistent and very reliable power supply. To date, the industry strategy has been to employ a costly and complex array of equipment such as UPS, back-up generators, maintenance bypass circuits, power conditioning, etc. to assure the consistency. That equipment itself adds another source of failure. “Without a bold shift in strategy, our entire industry will become more dependent on a costly, antiquated, and constricted power grid,” says Belady.
The solution he offers is to change where companies source energy for their facilities – and to relocate the data centers towards those sources. Biogas has the benefit of being 100 percent renewable. According to the blog, a biogas powered reciprocating engine will typically yield 30% efficiency, a turbine 40% and a fuel cell 60%. Moreover, fuel cells employ a clean electrochemical reaction that results in nearly zero emissions making it easier to secure air quality permits. Microsoft is now researching a small-scale experiment to measure the performance and benefits and is seeking a location to test a prototype, Belady said.
Source: Waste Business Journal