Currents Ep341: Onsite Power Solutions for Data Centers
Mar 26, 2026
Rebecca McDonald, VP of Data Center Energy Solutions at Bloom Energy, builds modular on-site solid oxide fuel cell systems for data centers. She discusses using on-site generation to bridge grid constraints and interconnection delays. Topics include fuel cell efficiency and reliability, modular factory-prefab deployment, financing options like PPAs and tax credits, and rapid commercial scaling.
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Fuel Cells Deliver Higher Efficiency Than Alternatives
- Bloom Energy uses solid oxide fuel cells to convert natural gas to electricity at about 54% efficiency, higher than competitors at 35–40%.
- Rebecca McDonald says this yields higher efficiency, low noise, near-zero local pollution, and suitability for clean, reliable onsite power for data centers.
Proven Long Running Deployments And Resilience
- Bloom already has ~0.5 GW deployed with many systems running 10–11 years and 2 million operating hours, demonstrating resilience in islanded modes during disasters.
- McDonald cites 170+ microgrids and uptime proven during hurricanes and wildfires.
Onsite Fuel Cells Bridge Interconnection Delays
- Onsite fuel cells can bridge grid gaps and serve both short-term capacity needs and long-term 15+ year solutions for constrained interconnections.
- McDonald explains customers use Bloom for immediate bridge power and as a strategic longer-term complement to the grid.