Vertiv, a leader in digital infrastructure, has partnered with Ballard Power Systems to develop backup power solutions for data centres and critical infrastructures, scaling from 200kW to multiple MWs. Their collaboration has yielded a proof of concept at Vertiv’s Ohio facility, showcasing the integration of Ballard’s fuel cell power modules with Vertiv’s Liebert® EXL S1 UPS. This Power Module H2 solution, featuring industry-ready components, offers a decarbonized backup system complete with cooling, power conditioning, hydrogen storage, and energy management controller, all part of a 1 MW microgrid solution.

The Power Module H2 system is designed to meet the growing energy demands of modern data centres, providing zero GHG emission backup power. It’s a prefabricated, factory-tested system that’s quickly deployable and scalable, suitable for new data centres and retrofitting existing ones without electrical infrastructure redesign. Focused on North America, Europe, and select other regions, the solution promises a single-supplied power infrastructure with rapid response, low maintenance, extended backup duration, optimised footprint, and scalability for multi-MW applications.

Vertiv’s Power Module H2 is a key part of their “One Vertiv, One World” plan, aligning with their commitment to sustainability and a net-zero carbon future. Vertiv and Ballard will showcase their fuel cell powered standby power solutions at Smarter E Europe 2024, demonstrating their innovative approach to energy-efficient, sustainable power for critical infrastructures. The exhibition will take place in area B2, Booth B2 436, from June 19-21, highlighting the strategic partnership’s contributions to the energy industry.

Nicolas Pocard, vice president marketing and strategic partnerships at Ballard states that since “the need to effectively manage electricity consumption and the carbon footprint of this energy-intensive sector is critical to achieve net-zero target”, this partnership “enables both parties to leverage our respective strengths to offer cost-effective, zero GreenHouse Gas (GHG) emission fuel cell back-up power solutions”. Likewise, his counterpart at Vertiv, with the group’s VP Viktor Petik commenting that “…artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC) are driving a need for eco-friendly power solutions for our customers, with a focus on zero-carbon and low-carbon energy alternatives” and therefore this collaboration remains a “…viable option for customers strengthening their data centre sustainability strategy”.