Fuel Cell Backup Power for Data Centers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Data centers face economic and environmental drawbacks due to the reliance on diesel generators for backup power, including high expenditures, emissions, and maintenance needs.

Innovation Solution

Implementing fuel cells to convert natural gas into electrical energy, providing backup power to data centers, potentially eliminating the need for diesel generators by switching to fuel cell power during utility failures, and using a turbine or generator fueled by the same gas for cooling systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If diesel generators are used for backup power, then reliable emergency power is provided, but economic costs and environmental harm increase substantially

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackup power reliabilityVSAvoiddiesel emissions and economic costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the diesel generator mechanical combustion system with a fuel cell electrochemical system. The fuel cell uses an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity, eliminating the mechanical combustion process that produces harmful diesel emissions. This substitution maintains backup power reliability while removing the harmful factors associated with diesel generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental operating parameters of the backup power system by transitioning from chemical combustion (diesel) to electrochemical reaction (fuel cell). This parameter change transforms the energy conversion process from a high-emission combustion process to a clean electrochemical process, eliminating carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter emissions while maintaining electrical power output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If diesel generators and fuel stores are deployed, then backup power capacity is ensured, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackup power capacityVSAvoidgenerator and fuel store system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the complex fuel storage infrastructure from the backup power system. By using fuel cells that can draw hydrogen from centralized storage or on-site production (via electrolysis or reforming), the system removes the need for distributed diesel fuel stores, polishing systems, and associated safety infrastructure. This extraction simplifies the overall system while maintaining backup power capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The fuel cell system provides multiple functions: it generates electrical power for backup, can produce heat for heating applications, and can integrate with hydrogen storage or production systems. This multi-functionality replaces the single-purpose diesel generator system, reducing overall device complexity while enhancing versatility and eliminating the need for separate fuel storage and safety systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Duration of action of stationary object

If diesel fuel stores are maintained, then continuous operation is possible, but fire safety risks and regulatory compliance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous operation capabilityVSAvoidfire code compliance and safety risks

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the high-risk diesel fuel storage system with a low-risk hydrogen storage system. Hydrogen can be stored in pressurized tanks, liquid form, or produced on-demand via electrolysis, all of which present significantly lower fire and environmental risks compared to diesel storage. This substitution maintains continuous operation capability while eliminating fire code compliance issues and safety hazards associated with large diesel fuel stores.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution reduces the reliance on diesel generators, minimizing economic and environmental impacts while ensuring continuous power supply to critical systems in data centers.

Implementation Method 1

fuel cells to convert a fuel (such as natural gas) to electrical energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFuel cell electrochemical conversion: Fuel Cell

Implementation Method 2

a source of fuel may also be used to power a turbine or generator, which is coupled to a chiller

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentUS8937405B2Data center using fuel cells in place of diesel generators for backup power

Publication Date: 2015.01.20 META PLATFORMS INC

AI summary

The need for backup diesel generators in a data center is obviated by using fuel cells to convert a fuel to electrical energy, which provide backup power to equipment in a data center, which may include the servers in the data center and other important systems that normally use utility power. When the utility power fails, the equipment switches to backup power that is provided by fuel cells supplied with fuel (such as natural gas), possibly using a source of temporary power (e.g., a UPS or direct tie-in of batteries) while the fuel cells come online. The fuel may also be used to power a turbine or generator, coupled to a chiller for providing a cooled liquid to a cooling system.