Fujitsu announced this week it plans to install a dedicated a hydrogen fuel cell power plant on its Sunnyvale campus in California. The power plant will provide 50 percent of the power needed to cool the Fujitsu’s data center and labs on the campus, while reducing the amount of fossil fuel that must be burned to maintain operations and easing pressure on the local power grid.

The fuel cell power plant provides clean, efficient power for the campus data center and other operations, drastically reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, the company says.

According to the EPA, data centers across the U.S. consumed about 61 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) in 2006, roughly 1.5 percent of the total U.S. electricity consumption, and based on current trends, consumption is expected to double by 2011. The fossil fuel-burning power plants used to generate this electricity release more than 40 percent of the total U.S. CO2 emissions, a prime contributor to global warming.

“Our real-world use of the hydrogen fuel cell is a clear demonstration of the ability of corporations to make a significant and financially responsible investment in reducing harmful impacts on the environment, with the ultimate goal of reversing global warming,” said Tetsuo Urano, head of American operations, Fujitsu America.

“With a payback of about three and a half years and a lifespan of about 15 years, hydrogen power is an excellent investment for the company. All of us at Fujitsu have a deep commitment to environmental responsibility, and we are proud of the leadership we’ve shown over the years, from reducing our carbon footprint, to eliminating lead and other harmful wastes from our supply chain and products, to broad recycling and reuse programs. We will continue to invest in innovation and programs that are both good for the environment and good for our business.” Urano explains.

The hydrogen fuel cell installed on the Fujitsu Sunnyvale campus is the UTC Power PureCell Model 200 system, featuring ultra-low emissions.

The hydrogen fuel cell system meets the most stringent air emissions standards as set by the California Air Resources Board (CARB 07), Fujitsu says.

Although it utilizes natural gas, it produces 35 percent less CO2 per megawatt-hour than the average fossil fuel-based power plant, and approximately 4,000 lbs per year less NOx, the equivalent of taking more than 100 average passenger cars off the road.

The system has a low sound profile at 60 decibels at 30 feet, and emits no ozone-depleting fluorocarbons, according to Fujitsu.

The company will also be contributing to water conservation. When compared to conventional power plants, a UTC Power PureCell(TM) Model 200 system will save at least 800,000 gallons of water per year. Over the 15-year life of the fuel cell system, Fujitsu will leave 12 million gallons of water untouched.

“Fujitsu is a model for how large organizations can work through the process of understanding their energy requirements, researching the best solution to meet their fiscal requirements and their environmental impact goals, and then making a solid, long-term investment in a clean, efficient, cost-effective energy system,” said Jan van Dokkum, UTC Power President.

“Our environmentally advanced UTC Power PureCell(TM) products offer proven reliability, energy productivity and a reduced carbon footprint to benefit our customers and their communities.” Dokkum concluded.