Solar, Storage, Nuclear and Fuel Cells for Data Centers

Solar, batteries, fuel cells, nuclear and other lower-carbon sources show up in many data center power plans, but each one fits a different job. Solar produces energy only when the sun is up and needs a lot of land, so at a data center it usually works alongside storage, gas or the grid. Battery storage can cover short outages, smooth fast load swings and shift solar output into the evening. Fuel cells make steady power from natural gas or hydrogen with very low local emissions. Small modular reactors and microreactors promise firm carbon-free power, but most designs are still years from commercial service.