The AI Revolution and the Power Surge: How Hydrogen Can Power a Sustainable Future for Data Centres 

The AI Revolution and the Power Surge: How Hydrogen Can Power a Sustainable Future for Data Centres 

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionising the digital landscape, driving unprecedented demand for data processing. From powering sophisticated communication algorithms to enhancing real-time decision-making, AI is rapidly expanding its footprint. Yet, this surge in data processing comes with a hefty price tag: a significant increase in power consumption, particularly within data centres. 

By 2030, data centre energy consumption is projected to rise by 500%, with AI leading the charge.  

To put this into context, a single AI query, such as one processed by ChatGPT, requires nearly 10 times the electricity of a standard Google search. This growing demand poses a critical challenge: how can data centres meet these escalating power needs while minimising their environmental impact? 

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Growing Concerns Over Power Demands 

Recent news highlights the growing concerns over power demands from data centres. For instance, in Ireland, South Dublin County Council recently blocked Google’s plan for a new data centre, citing concerns that the local energy grid could not cope with the increased demand. This decision was influenced by the argument that adding another energy-intensive facility would strain an already overburdened grid. 

Moreover, electricity distribution grid capacity shortages are making it increasingly challenging for data centres to handle their growing energy requirements. A report from ITPro indicates that in 2024, data centres worldwide may struggle to meet the energy-intensive demands of generative AI technologies due to these shortages. Additionally, countries like Ireland, Germany, Singapore, and China are now imposing stricter regulations on building new server farms to mitigate the pressure on their electricity grids. 

These examples illustrate the urgency for the data centre industry to find sustainable solutions to its escalating energy needs. 

Hydrogen: A Sustainable Power Solution for Data Centres 

Hydrogen power is emerging as a pivotal solution in addressing the dual challenges of rising energy demand and environmental sustainability. Hydrogen can play multiple roles in powering data centres, from serving as a temporary and backup power source to becoming the primary power option in off-grid or remote locations. 
 
Andrew Cunningham, CEO of GeoPura, explains how GeoPura is solving these challenges.  

Q: The growing challenges facing the data centre industry are highlighted above. Can you explain the root of the problem in more detail? 

The primary challenge lies in balancing our increasing demand for IT services like AI and cloud computing with the energy demands of data centres, which are growing rapidly. These facilities need a consistent supply of power, 24/7, every day. The challenge isn’t just about generating more electricity, it’s about ensuring that power is clean, reliable, and available where and when it’s needed. 

There are three key problems to solve: 

  1. Clean Generation Capacity: To meet our growing energy needs sustainably, we must transition to cleaner ways of generating power. Fossil fuels are no longer an option if we’re serious about maintaining a liveable climate and ensuring good air quality. 
  1. Clean Energy Dispatchability: Renewable energy, like wind and solar, is variable. It’s abundant when conditions are right, but there are gaps. No sun at night, no wind during calm periods. We need ways to store surplus energy and deliver it when demand arises, not just for hours, but for days or even weeks. 
  1. Electrical Distribution Capacity: Most data centres aren’t located near renewable energy sources, so they rely on grid infrastructure to deliver the power they need. Unfortunately, grid capacity is already stretched thin, and expanding it is slow, expensive, and disruptive. 

These interconnected challenges make it clear that the conventional approach to powering data centres won’t suffice. 

Q: How does GeoPura address these challenges? 

GeoPura tackles these problems with an integrated solution. At its core, our approach involves building hydrogen production plants co-located with large renewable energy capacity, such as solar PV and wind, the hydrogen fuel acts as an energy reservoir, storing surplus electricity. When renewables generate more electricity than is needed, we convert that surplus into green hydrogen.  The hydrogen produced can be turned back into electricity anytime or anywhere it’s needed, especially when the renewable sources aren’t generating and energy is in short supply. 

Our hydrogen is stored and transported to locations where power is required, such as data centres. There, it’s converted back into electricity using our Hydrogen Power Units (HPUs). These generators provide a clean, reliable energy source, alleviating grid constraints and ensuring uninterrupted power for critical operations. 

Q: What makes hydrogen a better solution than other storage technologies, like batteries? 

Batteries are fantastic for short-term energy needs and quick bursts of power, but they aren’t practical for storing industrially significant amounts of energy over days, weeks, or even months. Hydrogen, on the other hand, acts as a long-term energy reservoir. It allows us to store large amounts of renewable energy and dispatch it when and where it’s needed. 

For data centres, which require continuous power, hydrogen offers the scalability and reliability that batteries alone can’t provide. Plus, by decentralising power generation with hydrogen, we alleviate the strain on local grid infrastructure. 

Q: Can you give an example of how GeoPura’s solution can benefit data centres? 

Imagine a new data centre that because of data connectivity needs to be in a location with limited grid capacity. Even if grid upgrades are available at the site in the future it will often be several years before they can be implemented.  Knowing that, regardless of the grid availability, a data centre can start operation powered by GeoPura hydrogen fuelled HPU generators gives the data centre provider confidence to build.  When additional grid capacity at the site becomes available the HPUs can be moved elsewhere or can remain on site to provide backup power. 

During a renewable energy surplus, nearby wind farms generate excess electricity. That surplus is converted into hydrogen, stored, and delivered to the data centre. The hydrogen is then used to generate clean electricity, ensuring the data centre operates efficiently and sustainably, even during peak demand or grid outages. This flexibility is a game-changer. 

Q: Is this solution already in use? 

Absolutely. GeoPura, in collaboration with Siemens Energy, has been deploying this technology since 2019. Our Hydrogen Power Units have powered everything from live TV broadcasts to construction projects, and they’re now being trialled in data centres as well. 

We’re also seeing forward-thinking companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and Equinix leading the charge.  GeoPura is proud to be part of this transition, proving that hydrogen isn’t just a concept. It’s a scalable, operational solution. 

Q: How does this solution support broader grid and community needs? 

By decentralising power generation, we enable data centres to support local energy infrastructure rather than straining it. For example, our HPUs can provide power not only to the data centre but also to nearby communities when there’s a local energy shortage. 

More importantly, by investing in hydrogen production from surplus renewable generation, datacentre providers are also building the first industrial renewable energy storage reservoirs. For centuries we’ve understood the importance of reservoirs that store rainwater, now our communities will benefit in a similar way from storing our wind and our solar power as renewable fuel, so that in times and places of comparative energy drought, our energy will flow abundantly. 

Q: What would you say to data centre operators who are considering this solution? 

The technology is ready now, and we’ve proven its reliability across multiple sectors. If you’re facing challenges with grid capacity, renewable integration, or emissions targets, GeoPura can help. Our solution doesn’t just meet your operational needs; it also positions your data centre as a leader in sustainability. 

The Path Forward 

GeoPura is leading the charge in redefining how we power our digital world. By harnessing the potential of green hydrogen, we’re not just meeting today’s energy challenges. We’re building a sustainable energy future. 

GeoPura’s HPU2 solution exemplifies this potential, offering a scalable and sustainable power option for the data Centres of tomorrow. See HPU2 in action here.

Interested in learning more? Contact GeoPura today to explore how hydrogen power can transform your data centre operations and help you achieve your sustainability goals. 

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References: 

  1. Google data centre in Ireland blocked after NGO calls out ‘greenwashing’ 
  1. Global power shortages mean data Centres could struggle to shoulder the burden of energy-intensive generative AI demands in 2024 
  1. Data centres curbed as pressure grows on electricity grids 

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