Fuel Cells for Data Center Power | H2 Sage™ Newsletter 2026.03

This monthly newsletter shares global highlights of liquid hydrogen (LH2) systems news, developments, best practices, training, tools, technologies, and other LH2 related content. ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  

Image credit: Bloom Energy Fuel Cells for Data Center Power The above photo showcases an array of Bloom Energy fuel cell stacks that offer on-site, off-grid power to data centers and other applications. High reliability, availability, efficiency, onsite power system control, and other factors are driving a massive expansion of these types of systems for the current AI-driven data center build-out. Fuel cell primary power enables rapid deployment and mitigates some of the strain on the existing electrical grid. Along with less upward price pressure and power drop outs for existing electric grid customers. Various states within the US are fast tracking permitting and approvals for these systems while also providing substantial tax breaks to attract new data center construction. Proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells such as the ones Plug Power is installing take in hydrogen and air, and only emit water. Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) like the Bloom Energy units shown above can use either natural gas or hydrogen feedstocks. All fuel cell types are relatively quiet during operation compared to fossil fuel power systems; and can support cogeneration (heating + electricity) and other beneficial uses from the water and waste heat created by them. And yet, there is severe backlash coming from some of the communities where these systems are proposed or under construction. Here are a few reasons why: Some states are bypassing traditional local reviews and approvals to accelerate construction time leaving local authorities feeling blindsided and powerless. Very large scale construction is occurring near residential communities, playgrounds, schools, and other sensitive areas with little or no local engagement or awareness (i.e., poor public relations). The power requirements for the largest data centers are on the order of small to moderate sized legacy power plants requiring large quantities of natural gas or hydrogen feedstock. In the case of SOFCs and other types that use natural gas, carbon dioxide is locally emitted unless some type of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) is being used. After construction, the number of new jobs required to run the data centers is fairly low relative to other potential business usage for these sites, leaving questions about the tax breaks being given. In theory, all of these issues can be addressed with a collaborative approach among the data center owners, their "new neighbors", local authorities, and other stakeholders to get feedback and implement feasible solutions to reasonable concerns. In practice, the competitive pressure to build data center infrastructure as rapidly as possible is resulting in local communities feeling uninformed and ignored. US federal energy and environmental policies - along with state and local policies - are also a key factor in the overall situation. For example, there is currently no emission rate testing required, and no prevailing wage rate requirement. On the other hand, there are some credits for captured carbon dioxide, renewable energy certificates, and carbon offsets available. The carbon dioxide stream can also be used for cooling and potential revenue streams. These are complex options and decisions that are often perceived very differently by the data center owner versus the local community. One of the ironies in all this is that some of the same communities that have been aggressively hostile toward clean solar and wind energy that would have greatly helped the current situation are now up in arms about the solutions left on the table. In any case, engagement and communication is the key. Does the data center fuel cell power system use natural gas? If so, is CCUS planned for it? Will it eventually be converted to clean hydrogen? If so, when? These conversations and others need to happen locally and in public before the digging starts, or the backlash will get much worse. H2 Sage™ Updates There are now six editions of the weekly H2 Sage™ Global Hydrogen News LinkedIn newsletter that provides a high-level overview of the current hydrogen economy and its trajectory. Check them out or subscribe for free by clicking the button below. Subscribe   The H2 Sage™ site has newly updated liquid hydrogen briefing slides in the following topic areas: Systems, Storage, Sensors, and Surveys. The new slides are in the supplemental sections of each briefing and incorporate some of NASA lessons learned information presented by Wesley Johnson and Adam Swanger during a recent Mission Hydrogen webinar session. There are also two new documents in the liquid hydrogen section - a summary of the LH2 Era™ Blog archive and its associated mind map. A quick reminder of all the resources and tools on this site: Hydrogen News, Insights, Strategies, and Tactics H2 Sage™ hydrogen strategic briefing (weekly) Global liquid hydrogen systems group (LinkedIn) LH2 Era™ blog (usually several posts per month) YouTube channel (video playlists and new podcast) Interactive Online Tools Dewar sizing app inner vessel capacity insulation system heat leak sources  Hydrogen Applications Decarbonizing mobility with LH2 Anthropocene Workforce training Grids & microgrids Aviation Liquid Hydrogen Introduction Safety Fundamentals Tankage Storage Transfer Sensors Modeling Systems Strategy Wrap-up LH2 survey Sloshing analysis LH2 Era™ Blog archive summary and mind map Cryogenic Fluid Management guide Other Resources Click on the button below to have a look.   H2 Sage™ Site LH2 Era™ Blog The Founder's Journey: 8 Key Questions   "Business cycles, technology disruptions, and a host of other variables all have an effect on what state a business is in. But in my experience the largest determinant is the leadership team - particularly if the founders are still running the show... Here are the eight key questions that founders have to answer along the way that have an outsized impact on the trajectory of their company..." [read full LinkedIn post]   Tenth Anniversary of the LH2 Era™ Blog   "The first post made in the LH2 Era™ Blog was on February 18th of 2016, and this post is the 115th on the topic of liquid hydrogen (LH2) systems. There is certainly online content that has been around much longer, but I'm not aware of any existing blogs exclusively focused on LH2 that are older than this one...I've collected all those blog articles into one searchable 288-page archive document and sorted them into eight sections: 1. Vision, Evolution, and Foundations 2. Technology and Engineering Fundamentals 3. Safety, Training, and Workforce 4. Architectures, Systems, and Operations 5. Sector-Specific Applications 6. Analysis, Modeling, and Software Tools 7. Market Insights and Global Policy 8. Business News and Highlights There is also a mind map at the end of the document showing interrelationships between the primary topics..." [read more]   LH2 Era™ Site Events and News Standards development Have become a Liaison to the SAE/EUROCAE Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Committee (AE-7F/WG80) to support hydrogen aviation standards development; and the SAE Aerospace Propulsion Systems Health Management (E-32). This complements other voluntary roles in the ASTM Cryogenic Piping Standard Development Group, and the Ohio Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Coalition (OFCHC). Energy Storage & Deployment Pathways for Africa   This webinar occurred on March 14th and the video is available at the above link (the main content begins at about 19:35 in the timeline). The session explored: • Practical deployment pathways for hydrogen systems • The evolving role of battery technologies in grid stability • Integration challenges and investment realities • What emerging markets must prioritize to scale energy storage   Other Upcoming Events April 3, 2026: Aerospace Graduate Seminar invited guest speaker on aerospace hydrogen power and propulsion, University of Cincinnati. May 5-6, 2026: Thermal Management Expo 2026, invited speaker on cryogenic thermal management, Cleveland (speaking in the afternoon on May 5th) September 3, 2026: International Hydrogen Aviation Conference (IHAC 2026), presentations on liquid hydrogen sloshing, and geologic hydrogen for aviation (details pending)   Hydrogen on LinkedIn Some hydrogen news from around the world that has generated interest: Scaling Global Infrastructure and Supply Chains The New Hydrogen Corridors Cryogenic hydrogen fuel system for aircraft turbines tested Hydrogen Policy Shifts, Expansions, Execution Separating Speculation from Credible Decarbonization UCT researcher takes cryogenic breakthrough to NASA Glenn   Follow me on LinkedIn or join the Global LH2 Systems group for more...   The current and previous newsletter issues are available online at the LH2 Era™ blog. They are also posted to the LinkedIn Global Liquid Hydrogen (LH2) Systems group and emailed to interested individuals. If you would like to receive the email version, click here. LEARN MORE