The growth of data centers presents a significant challenge for energy supply and sustainability. These facilities consume vast amounts of power, and finding ways to fuel them cleanly is crucial for meeting environmental goals. A promising solution lies in leveraging existing and future gas network infrastructure by making it hydrogen-ready. This approach involves developing the capability for natural gas pipelines to transport hydrogen, or a blend of hydrogen and natural gas, enabling cleaner fuel sources for power generation needed by data centers.
Transitioning to a hydrogen-ready gas backbone allows for the potential decarbonization of the energy supplied to these essential digital hubs. As hydrogen production from renewable sources becomes more widespread, this network can deliver increasingly cleaner fuel directly to power plants or on-site generation facilities serving data centers. This not only helps reduce the carbon footprint associated with their operation but also enhances energy security and grid reliability. Investing in this infrastructure is seen as a key step towards ensuring the future of data center energy is both robust and environmentally responsible. It represents a vital component in the overall shift towards a clean energy economy, supporting high-demand sectors like digital infrastructure with sustainable power solutions.
Source: https://datacentrereview.com/2025/06/gas-hydrogen-ready-backbone-key-to-cleaner-data-centre-power/
