SINGAPORE and REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA., September 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Continuing its efforts to advance the sustainability of digital infrastructure and achieve its zero-carbon targets, aligned with science-based targets, by 2030, Equinix, Inc. EQIX today announced a partnership with the Center for Energy Research & Technology (CERT) as part of the National University of Singapore (NUS) College of Design and Engineering to research technologies that enable the use of hydrogen as a green fuel source for mission-critical data center infrastructures.
Together, Equinix and CERT will launch the world’s first research project to compare the efficiency of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells and fuel-flexible linear generator technologies. PEM fuel cells are a leading contender for hydrogen energy, while fuel-flexible linear generators allow operators to easily switch between different clean fuel options such as hydrogen, biogas and various renewable liquid fuels. Adopting these technologies can enable data centers to reduce carbon emissions while meeting increasing demand for data, colocation and connectivity services.
The research collaboration between Equinix and CERT includes a holistic assessment of the suitability of these technologies for tropical data centers, taking into account local climate conditions, site constraints, energy needs, supply chain, fuel storage capabilities, as well as local regulatory policies.
This research initiative is governed by a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between the two partners earlier this year. As part of the MOU, CERT will conduct a comprehensive analysis of the technologies identified in collaboration with Equinix to determine the large-scale operational readiness of the technologies. Based on the research results, Equinix expects to develop proof-of-concept projects within its global network of data centers for real-world testing and to support integration into future data center designs. By driving innovation
