American Honda Motor’s data center will have its backup power needs satisfied by a new stationary fuel cell. The new generator is a proof of concept for Honda that will supply its Torrance, California, center with green power.
The stationary fuel cell replaces the diesel generator that was there before, and will be used to ensure that the important computing location is never without power, even during a blackout, which could potentially lead to the corruption of data.
Now fully operational, the fuel cell has a capacity of approximately 500 kW and is fueled by liquid hydrogen. It uses that to generate electricity for the data center, and the only emission is water vapor, unlike the diesel generator that it replaces.
Read: BMW Launches iX5 Hydrogen Powered By Toyota Fuel Cells In Global Pilot Fleet
In a video, Honda shows the makeup of the stationary fuel cell, and if the internals look a bit like the powertrain of a hydrogen vehicle, that’s because it is. The fuel cell reuses the drivetrains from eight previously leased Clarity Fuel Cell vehicles.
The recycling of these vehicles will help Honda achieve its goal of becoming part of a completely “circular,” or resource-recycling society by 2050. To do that, it wants to maximize the useful life of its products with projects like these.
Part of a demonstration program, Honda is working with GM on its next-generation of fuel cell systems. Those will go into future hydrogen generators like this one, as well as into a fuel-cell electric Honda CR-V that it plans to unveil in 2024.
“We believe there’s great promise in hydrogen fuel cells for backup power and offsetting potential peak power events,” said Koji Moriyama, project lead of the stationary fuel cell. “By installing and utilizing our core technology, the fuel cell system, in various applications such as stationary power generation, Honda aims to stimulate hydrogen usage and provide clean energy for potential commercial customers.”
