Apple Doubling Size of Fuel Cell Facility at North Carolina Data Center

The Charlotte Observer reports that Apple has filed plans to double the size of its fuel cell facility at its data center in Maiden, North Carolina to 10 megawatts.

Fifty fuel cells adjacent to its $1 billion data center in Maiden are expected to be operating by January, Apple said in papers filed with the N.C. Utilities Commission. It will be fueled by “directed biogas” in which cleaned methane gas from a landfill is injected into a natural gas pipeline. [...]

California-based Apple says the initial 4.8-megawatt phase in Maiden began start-up and testing in October. In November it applied for an amended state permit to increase the project’s size.

apple cupertino fuel cells
Fuel cells at Apple's corporate headquarters in Cupertino, California

In North Carolina, Apple is combining its fuel cell facility with two massive solar farms to help achieve the company's goal of using 100% renewable energy at all of its data centers. At its originally planned 4.8-megwatt capacity, Apple's fuel cell facility in North Carolina was already said to be the largest in the United States not owned by a utility company.

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Top Rated Comments

Battlefield Fan Avatar
161 months ago
In other news Greenpeace is still extremely unhappy with Apple...
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
spatlese44 Avatar
161 months ago
Now if someone could get to working on Mr. fusion....

The most abundant source of energy could be trash lol

I'm sure they could run one of these data centers for a few decades just burning discarded AOL CDs.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rocketman Avatar
161 months ago
Methane is the most abundant uncollected or wasted energy source on the planet. That way no matter the source these fuel cells can use them. Recovering methane from landfills is a solution waiting for a need and thus is seen as "very green" in this political environment (Solyndra, etc.). No matter the source methane is among the most green and efficient and available fuel sources.

Rocketman

cite:

http://www.bloomenergy.com/clean-energy/

http://www.bloomenergy.com/fuel-cell/solid-oxide-fuel-cell-animation/
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
apfeljonas Avatar
161 months ago
Those fuel cells actually look very Apple-like. iCell! Also, great to know they are fuelling it with biogas, much better for the environment than solar and natural gas.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
badNameErr Avatar
161 months ago
All power-hungry things like data centers should be run on renewable energy.

"All things should be run on renewable energy."


Fixed that for you.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mattskaj Avatar
161 months ago
And Al Gore makes a few bucks

Must be nice to sit on a board you get to sell your green energy products to. Conflict of Interest?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)