Equinix Dublin Data Center Launches Green Hydrogen Emergency Power Pilot

Equinix’s DB3 data centre in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, has begun a 12‑week pilot to test containerised green‑hydrogen fuel‑cell generators as emergency power sources. Two PEM fuel‑cell units, supplied by UK‑based GeoPura and powered by hydrogen produced from renewable electricity, can deliver up to 0.5 MW each and are scalable to a combined 50 MW. The generators are linked to the facility’s UPS systems to support cooling equipment, emit no on‑site pollutants and recycle waste heat for district heating and water‑reuse in the cooling circuit.

The project, run with Ireland’s state utility ESB, aims to assess the commercial, operational and safety viability of hydrogen‑based backup power for large energy users. It has already lowered the data centre’s Power Usage Effectiveness to below 1.3, compared with the sector average of 1.54. Irish Minister of State Timmy Dooley highlighted hydrogen’s role in the country’s energy transition, while Equinix Ireland Managing Director Peter Lantry called the trial a reference‑grade research effort that could help resolve grid constraints.