APC 400kW1MW User Manual download pdf (Page 47)

90% with a MCFC CHP system. In addition, the efficiencies of fuel cells remain high even when

the loads vary from design loads [64, para 5; 10, p. 1813].

5.4 Modularity

Fuel cell stacks are assembled from individual fuel cells, making them very modular and

available in a wide range of capacity. Fuel cell stacks can be linked together until the desired

power output is obtained. For example, Verizon chose to install UTC Power’s PureCell Model

200 fuel cells in their call routing center in Garden City, NY. Seven of these fuel cells were

installed in order to reach an electrical output of 1.4MW. Figure 5-3 shows the installation of

these seven fuel cells [10, p. 1813; 66, p. 1].

Figure 5-3 UTC Power’s PureCell Model 200 Fuel Cells at Verizon Call Routing Center [M]

In addition to modularity of power output, fuel cells offer data center operators much

more flexibility in both expansion and design of new facilities. The utility grid may not be able to

offer a large enough power supply to feed a data center’s loads. It is becoming more difficult to

site new power plant supply infrastructure as a result of congestion and the opposition of

transmission line and substation neighbors. It can take years to gain approval for construction

of new facilities. Therefore, some transmission and distribution lines are becoming overloaded,

which leads to concerns of decreased reliability during the hours of peak electrical demand.

Expansion and facility development of a data center may be achievable on a quicker schedule

than when relying on an existing utility grid. If a data center is able to minimize their power

demand on the utility grid, then utility facility expansions and associated costs could be avoided

as well [50, p.1; 12, p. 2].

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APC 400kW1MW User Manual Page 47