Equinix, Inc., the world’s digital infrastructure company®, has trialled its first-ever deployment of a Hydrogen Power Unit for data centre critical back-up systems in Ireland. The trial installation is in collaboration with ESB and GeoPura. It marks a significant step in the exploration of hydrogen as a back-up power resource for large energy users (LEUs), which could potentially replace diesel and gas generators in future.
The initiative comes at a critical time for Ireland’s economy as ongoing grid capacity constraints in parts of the Dublin metropolitan area continue to challenge digital infrastructure growth. The trial represents a first for Equinix in Ireland, with no other data centre currently operating hydrogen power at this scale in a critical live environment. It is also a first of its kind for Equinix’s 280+ data centre footprint worldwide.
As part of a 12-week pilot, two hydrogen-powered generators – developed by clean energy company GeoPura and one of which is owned by ESB – have been installed onsite at Equinix’s DB3 data centre in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15. Each housed in shipping container-sized units, the generators are currently being used to support cooling systems within Equinix’s DB3 facility and have helped Equinix to bring its power use effectiveness (PUE) in that data centre to below 1.3*.
GeoPura is supplying Equinix with hydrogen from renewable sources for the project. The two units, running in parallel, are designed to provide a zero direct onsite emissions alternative to traditional diesel or gas generators, which helps to reduce operational emissions at the point of use. Powered by green hydrogen and using advanced PEM fuel cell technology, the system produces clean, silent energy. Through uninterruptible power supply (UPS), the Hydrogen Power Units can respond in real time to changes in grid capacity and ‘switch on’ when needed, providing up to half a megawatt of continuous power.
Equinix and ESB will gain valuable data insights into carbon reduction potential, along with operational, safety, commercial and grid peak-shaving potential, which could be used by policymakers and universities to assess the best deployment solutions for Ireland.
The use of hydrogen power in this context could also extend beyond data centres, offering a viable lower-carbon alternative for construction sites and other temporary power needs traditionally reliant on diesel generation.
Utilising green hydrogen supplied by GeoPura and produced using renewable electricity, the units store and transport energy for use wherever and whenever it is needed. This enables grid-constrained sites, such as data centres, to operate with a reliable, critical back up solution that produces zero direct onsite emissions form the electricity it produces. Hydrogen fuel units such as these are scalable up to 50 MW to support both backup and prime power applications. The hydrogen fuel cell system produces only water and heat as byproducts at the point of use.
The waste heat could potentially be used to support future district heating projects and the water can be recycled into the on-site cooling systems to offset mains water use and help improve operational efficiency.
Minister Timmy Dooley, Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, said: “Hydrogen has the potential to play an important role in Ireland’s transition to a more sustainable energy system. Projects such as this provide valuable opportunities to test emerging technologies in real-world environments and deepen our understanding of how they can support future energy needs.
“It is encouraging to see companies operating in sectors that are critical to Ireland’s economic growth exploring innovative approaches to reducing emissions. Trials like this help build knowledge, foster collaboration and contribute to the wider conversation about how new energy solutions can support Ireland’s climate ambitions.”
Peter Lantry, Managing Director of Equinix Ireland, said: “This is a landmark research project that could be part of the solution to Ireland’s grid constraints and the challenge of accessing clean energy. Ireland is already making serious moves on hydrogen and how it can be stored at scale here. What we’re doing with ESB is a different piece of the same puzzle: proving that hydrogen can work as a practical, zero direct onsite emissions alternative to diesel and gas in a live environment. If this pilot delivers what we expect, it adds real momentum to Ireland’s decarbonisation story.”
Paul Lennon, Head of Asset Development, ESB Generation Trading, said: “The deployment of hydrogen fuel cells at Equinix data centres is another important step in demonstrating how zero direct onsite-emission technologies can support critical infrastructure. As data demand continues to grow, solutions like hydrogen power units offer a reliable, clean alternative to traditional backup generation. At ESB, we see green hydrogen playing a key role in enabling resilient, low-carbon energy systems, and we’re proud to partner with forward-thinking organisations like Equinix to bring these solutions into real-world operation.”
Andrew Cunningham, CEO, GeoPura, said: “As demand for digital infrastructure continues to grow, operators are facing increasing pressure to secure reliable power, reduce emissions and minimise the impact on local communities. This trial shows how hydrogen can help address those challenges today. By combining hydrogen fuel cell technology with battery systems and uninterruptible power capabilities, we’re delivering reliable zero direct onsite-emission power that can respond instantly when required.
“Working alongside Equinix and ESB, this project is demonstrating that hydrogen can support both backup and prime power applications in a live data centre environment, showing how hydrogen can strengthen energy resilience, reduce reliance on fossil fuels and support the continued growth of critical digital infrastructure.”
See more stories here.