[ backup power ]
In 2020 , Microsoft tested a 250-kilowatt fuel cell system , 7 demonstrating its ability to power 10 racks of data center servers for 48 hours . The company plans to scale up the technology to 3 megawatts – the size of the diesel backup generators it currently uses . A successful run at this scale could pave the way for similar systems to replace conventional generators as Microsoft moves toward larger emissions reduction goals .
As projects like this grow , the funding will likely drive technological improvements in fuel cells . Over time , such advances could make hydrogen fuel cells a safer and more cost-effective alternative to batteries or fossil fuel generators . In the meantime , combining hydrogen with lithium-ion batteries can help organizations strike an optimal balance between costs and long-term reliability .
How hydrogen energy storage can move forward
Energy companies do not need to wait on technological improvements to make hydrogen a more viable energy storage solution . Hydrogen generators are already commercially available , and organizations can integrate these existing options into their backup power strategies before larger , more complex options become viable .
A 2020 project showcased the potential of today ’ s hydrogen generators , providing heat and electricity for 20 cabins on a remote construction site . 8 Like the Calistoga microgrid , this installation used batteries as a backup to ensure ongoing reliability while managing costs . Taking a similar approach could help businesses reduce their carbon footprint while awaiting more dramatic technological advances in hydrogen-only solutions .
In terms of future research , ammonia may hold the most short-term potential as a safe , cost-effective means of serving as a carrier for hydrogen . The U . S . already has 5,000 kilometers of ammonia pipelines , 9 which is roughly double the available capacity of liquid hydrogen infrastructure . Consequently , even though the conversion process involves some extra costs , it would be a more accessible option in the short term before larger upgrades can take place .
Hydrogen could be the future of green energy storage
Fuel cells are cleaner and more reliable than batteries over the long term , while being more eco-friendly than fossil fuels . They can also lead to cost savings once they reach sufficient scale . These benefits , combined with hydrogen ’ s high energy density , make them a promising solution for backup energy storage .
Backup power will become increasingly important as the grid ages and renewable energy infrastructure expands . Developing hydrogen technology now could help ensure this transition is as safe , affordable , and sustainable as possible .
References
¹ The White House . ( 2022 , November 18 ). Fact sheet : The Biden-Harris administration advances transmission buildout to deliver affordable , clean electricity . ² U . S . Department of Energy . ( n . d .). Hydrogen storage . ³ Royal Society of Chemistry . ( n . d .). Hydrogen . Periodic Table .
4 iScience 27.12 ( 2024 , February 16 ): 108988 .
5
Unified Power . ( 2024 , June 3 ). 3 ways summer heat can lead to power outages ― and how to protect your business .
6
City of Calistoga . ( n . d .). Calistoga resiliency center ( microgrid ).
7
Roach , J . ( 2020 , July 27 ). Microsoft tests hydrogen fuel cells for backup power at datacenters . Microsoft .
8
National Grid . ( 2020 , September 7 ). World ’ s first hydrogen-heated construction site .
9
Kleinman Center for Energy Policy . ( 2023 , March 17 ). Ammonia ’ s role in a net-zero hydrogen economy .
Hydrogen Tech World | Issue 20 | February 2025 47