Microsoft and Siemens join zero-carbon data centre project
Microsoft and Siemens Energy Management have collaborated on a new zero-carbon, waste-to-energy data centre in the US
Microsoft, Siemens Energy Management and FuelCell Energy have launched a new partnership on what could be the first zero-carbon, waste-to-energy data center in the U.S.A.
Microsoft’s data center, in Cheyenne, Wyoming, uses biogas methane from waste byproducts at the nearby Dry Creek wastewater facility to power the fuel cell system, which converts the biogas into electricity.
Software and hardware from Siemens will monitor the amount of biogas being sent to the fuel cell, the conversion to energy, and the fuel cell output to ensure that enough electricity is being generated to power the facility.
The facility will operate completely off the grid and is expected to produce 250 kW of renewable energy whilst using approximately 100 kW.
The additional power will be sent back to the wastewater treatment facility to reduce its bills.
A coalition of industry, University of Wyoming, Business Council, Cheyenne LEADS, Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities, the Western Research Institute and state and local government partners led to the project coming to fruition. University of Wyoming students will have access to the plant for further research.
