H2Datacenter

The initial situation

Chile is facing a growing need for a reliable, low-carbon energy supply. Data centers across the country depend on an uninterrupted power supply. To maintain operations during power outages, they often rely on diesel backup generators. These generators produce significant CO₂ emissions, undermining efforts to decarbonize the energy supply.

At the same time, locally generated renewable electricity, such as solar power from photovoltaic (PV) systems, can go unused when suitable energy storage solutions are not available. There is therefore a need for economically viable alternatives that can replace fossil-fuel-based backup power systems while storing surplus renewable electricity for later use.

The approach

H2Datacenter is testing a modular green hydrogen (gH₂) system at a data center operated by Datco in Patagonia, Chile. The system is designed to serve two purposes: gradually replacing existing diesel backup generators with a lower-carbon alternative and storing surplus solar electricity generated by the site's existing PV system for use when the data center needs power.

Unlike conventional backup generators, the hydrogen system can store and supply energy during normal operations as well as provide backup power when needed. This enables more continuous use of the system while combining reliable backup power with renewable energy storage. The project is also investigating how this approach can reduce emissions and make digital infrastructure more sustainable.

The objectives and measures

The project aims to demonstrate whether a green hydrogen system can provide a sustainable solution for both backup power and energy storage at data centers under real-world operating conditions. The project team will also explore how the concept could be scaled up and replicated at other sites in Chile and internationally. The findings are expected to help decarbonize digital infrastructure and make better use of renewable energy.

To this end, the hydrogen system will be integrated into the data center's existing energy infrastructure, which combines grid electricity with solar power. A supporting scientific assessment will inform the system's design and integration into the existing infrastructure, as well as evaluate its potential for wider deployment. During the testing phase, the team will collect operational data to assess the system's performance and potential under real-world conditions.

A digital twin will also help make the system's operation accessible and understandable to a wider audience. The project consortium brings together complementary expertise: the Reiner Lemoine Institute (RLI) leads the project, H2 Powercell provides the technology, and the “Centro de Energía” of the Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción (UCSC) supports system integration and local implementation. The German-Chilean Chamber of Industry and Commerce (AHK Chile) contributes its network and experience in hydrogen projects.