Hydrogen fuel cells power Fujitsu data center!
SUNNYVALE, Calif.--Hydrogen is a better source of energy than you think, according to Fujitsu.
The Japanese electronics giant inaugurated a 200-kilowatt hydrogen fuel cell from UTC on Friday that will provide electricity as well as heat to the buildings on its campus.
The fuel cell--which sits in the parking lot and looks like a pair of giant green dumpsters--provides two types of energy to the facility. First, a unit heats methane with steam to create hydrogen. The hydrogen is passed through a proton exchange membrane (PEM). The electricity produced by the reaction with the PEM runs lights, computers and other equipment.
The fuel cell
Additionally, the hot water from the methane-hydrogen reaction is cycled through the building to create heat. More waste heat could be recaptured from the PEM unit, but the water is too hot for Fujitsu's internal systems, so it is just vented off. Someday, however, it may be piped into the building.
The company also has tried to integrate more green ideas into its products. In 2005, for instance, it released a laptop in Japan with a biodegradable chassis made of corn starch-based plastic.:hap2:
Pic of chassis:
Its nice to see companies moving towards eco-friendly energy sources.:hap2:
Source: Photos: Fujitsu unveils king-size fuel cell | CNET News.com
SUNNYVALE, Calif.--Hydrogen is a better source of energy than you think, according to Fujitsu.
The Japanese electronics giant inaugurated a 200-kilowatt hydrogen fuel cell from UTC on Friday that will provide electricity as well as heat to the buildings on its campus.
The fuel cell--which sits in the parking lot and looks like a pair of giant green dumpsters--provides two types of energy to the facility. First, a unit heats methane with steam to create hydrogen. The hydrogen is passed through a proton exchange membrane (PEM). The electricity produced by the reaction with the PEM runs lights, computers and other equipment.
The fuel cell
Additionally, the hot water from the methane-hydrogen reaction is cycled through the building to create heat. More waste heat could be recaptured from the PEM unit, but the water is too hot for Fujitsu's internal systems, so it is just vented off. Someday, however, it may be piped into the building.
The company also has tried to integrate more green ideas into its products. In 2005, for instance, it released a laptop in Japan with a biodegradable chassis made of corn starch-based plastic.:hap2:
Pic of chassis:
Its nice to see companies moving towards eco-friendly energy sources.:hap2:
Source: Photos: Fujitsu unveils king-size fuel cell | CNET News.com