Fuel Cell Technology Powers South Korea’s AI Data Centers

AMCHAM Korea and Bloom Energy are partnering to deploy fuel cell technology in South Korea's AI data centers. This addresses power reliability, decarbonization, and cost control.

South Korea, a semiconductor hub, heavily relies on imported LNG for electricity. With 80% of power coming from imports, decentralized fuel cells like hydrogen are essential for mission-critical servers during peak loads or weather disruptions.

Bloom Energy, founded in 2001, supplies energy to major tech companies. By 2025, their Energy Servers delivered 1.4 GW globally. In 2023, they introduced a commercial hydrogen electrolyzer and signed a 500 MW pact with SK ecoplant for hydrogen infrastructure in Korea.

Bloom's SOFC technology converts natural gas, biogas, or hydrogen into electricity at 600–1,000°C with over 60% efficiency. These systems reduce transmission losses, isolate critical loads, and scale from megawatts to gigawatts.

Advantages of On-Site Fuel Cells

• Reliability: Protects against grid issues.

• Decarbonization: Transitions from gas to green hydrogen.

• Cost Control: Shields from tariffs and import volatility.

• Strategic Significance

For Bloom, this is a foothold in Asia's AI market. South Korea aims to produce 5 million tons of green hydrogen by 2030. AMCHAM Korea supports U.S.–Korea trade and accelerates clean energy projects.

AMCHAM guides U.S. firms through Korean regulations. They focus on sustainable energy, leveraging policy and capital for on-site fuel cell deployments.

Upgrading the grid or relying on batteries is defensive; hydrogen infrastructure is offensive. While challenges exist, policy incentives and green hydrogen plans make it viable.

Pilots are expected to start later this year, with broader installations by 2027. If successful, this could revolutionize industrial decarbonization in power-intensive sectors like logistics, manufacturing, and transport.