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Like batteries, fuel cells function but do not need to be recharged or run down. They generate heat and electricity as long as fuel is available. Two electrodes, a negative electrode (or anode) and a positive electrode (or cathode) are sandwiched around an electrolyte to form a fuel cell.
Fuel cells are a desirable alternative for data centers to meet energy demand and environmental goals since they are clean, dependable, and scalable.
The global fuel cell data center market accounted for $XX Billion in 2023 and is anticipated to reach $XX Billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of XX% from 2024 to 2030.
Bharti Airtel, subsidiary Nxtra Data Limited has teamed up with Bloom Energy to build low environmental impact fuel cells at its data center. This would help cut carbon emissions by providing a cleaner, hydrogen-ready fuel source.
In order to lower carbon emissions at its data centers and to realize cost and sustainability advantages, Nxtra will be the first data center firm to use fuel cell technology.
Without making a big investment, Nxtra intends to start the unit with non-combusted natural gas and then switch to 50% hydrogen in the future. The utility electrical grid and generators will be employed as backup sources in addition to the natural gas-powered cells for primary generating.
With 12 big and 120 edge data centers spread across the nation, Nxtra by Airtel has the largest network of data centers in India. Over the next four years, it will invest more than Rs 5000 crore to triple its capacity to more than 400 MW.
The company is dedicated to meeting 50% of its power needs from renewable energy sources in the upcoming year and has already invested in and worked with 8 organizations to establish renewable energy power plants across India to source more than 180,000 MWh of renewable energy.