Microsoft has announced a partnership with ESB to power its Dublin data centre’s power control and administration building using zero-emission green hydrogen. This landmark pilot marks the first time Hydrogen Fuel Cells will generate electricity for a Microsoft data centre in Europe, providing up to 250kW of clean energy to the Dublin campus over an eight-week period.
ESB’s Hydrogen Fuel Cells convert stored green hydrogen into electricity, emitting only pure water as a by-product. Designed to replace traditional diesel generators, these fuel cells produce no carbon emissions or harmful pollutants like particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides, which have significant environmental and health consequences.
This pilot is part of a series planned by ESB in 2024 and 2025, aiming to demonstrate the versatility of hydrogen fuel cell technology in various power applications. It also highlights the potential role hydrogen energy could play in decarbonising Ireland’s vital data centre sector.
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.”
Lavinia Morris, General Manager, Microsoft’s EMEA Data Centre Operations said: “This pilot project is another important step in our journey to transition to carbon-free electricity supply for our data centres, buildings, and campuses around the world. As we look to advance a more sustainable future, we hope to build on the success of this pilot project and continue to find innovative ways to decarbonise our operations.”
Jim Dollard, ESB Executive Director, Generation and Trading commented, “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.”
The pilot aligns with Ireland’s “Principles for Sustainable Data Centre Development,” outlined in the government’s 2022 policy statement, which supports the development of data centres that efficiently use the electricity grid and renewable energy.
The hydrogen pilot builds on Microsoft’s ongoing innovation in clean energy solutions, further positioning the tech giant as a leader in sustainable data centre operations.