APC launches hydrogen based power solution

APC (part of Schneider Electric) has launched its next generation Fuel Cell Extended Run (FCXR) product that provides hydrogen-based, environmentally friendly backup power for the company's InfraStruXure(R) data centre solution. InfraStruXure integrates power, cooling, environmental monitoring and management in a rack-optimized design. The interesting point is that FCXR produces emission free electrical backup power using air and stored hydrogen, and is available in 10 kW increments up to 30 kW contained in a single 19-inch rack. Developed in collaboration with Hydrogenics Corporation, the FCXR uses Hydrogenics' HyPM XR Fuel Cell Power Modules. The solutions is also billed as offering lower total cost of ownership for runtime requirements greater than two hours in this power range, when compared to lead acid batteries. It is also answers a range of customer issues - data centres with space constraints (it fits in the footprint of a standard IT rack) or unable to operate a diesel generator due to noise or emissions concerns.