Data centers are the backbone of our digital economy—and their power demands are growing fast. Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, e-commerce, and streaming services all depend on massive data processing operations, which now consume roughly 2% of global electricity. In the US, that number could jump to 9% by 2030, according to the Electrical Power Research Institute. This explosive energy demand makes it clear: if we want a digital future that’s sustainable, we need to rethink how we power data centers. Bloom Energy offers a cleaner and smarter way forward.

The carbon cost of the digital world

Data centers are energy-intensive by nature. Each one houses tens of thousands of servers that generate heat and require constant cooling, often running 24/7. As facilities grow to meet AI and machine learning demand, so does their carbon footprint, especially if they’re powered by traditional fossil fuel-based electricity.

But decarbonization doesn’t mean waiting decades for grid modernization or relying on distant renewable farms. With Bloom Energy’s solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology, clean, efficient power can be generated right at the source.

How does decarbonization work?

Decarbonization involves emitting less greenhouse gases, as well as capturing greenhouse gases and repurposing them. Because Bloom Energy’s servers require no combustion, they’re able to avoid emitting greenhouse gases like some traditional sources of electricity.

Plus, Bloom offers carbon capture technology, which captures CO2 emissions before they reach the atmosphere and permanently stores them underground. With the combination of a carbon capture system, companies can reduce their emissions to zero.

What makes Bloom Energy different?

Bloom Energy Servers generate power through an electrochemical reaction. That means they can produce power from fuels like natural gas, biogas, or hydrogen with much lower greenhouse gas emissions than conventional methods. And they do so with impressive efficiency.

Each Bloom Energy Server is built with stacks of SOFCs that convert fuel and ambient air into electricity, producing only water, small amounts of carbon dioxide, and heat as byproducts. The process is so efficient that when powered by hydrogen, Bloom’s systems can achieve up to 60% electrical efficiency—and zero carbon emissions.

Unlike centralized power plants, Bloom’s systems are installed onsite, delivering immediate power with no transmission losses. They’re modular, fast to deploy (in as little as 50 days), and fully capable of running “off-grid,” enabling data centers to operate as independent energy islands when needed.

Enabling decarbonization for the AI era

Artificial intelligence is a game changer, but also a power-hungry one. Just one AI data center can use as much power as a city the size of San Jose, California. Companies like Microsoft are going to extraordinary lengths to secure enough energy for their data operations, even exploring the use of retired nuclear facilities.

But there’s a better option: Bloom Energy Servers. They offer fuel flexibility, deep decarbonization potential, and can be sited based on business needs—not grid access. Whether powered by biogas for carbon-neutrality or green hydrogen for zero emissions, Bloom’s fuel cells are built to adapt to the energy landscape of the future.

Sustainable, scalable, and reliable

While traditional green power options like wind and solar are essential, they aren’t always reliable or space-efficient. Bloom Energy’s systems take up far less room and deliver consistent, around-the-clock power. They also integrate well with carbon capture and energy storage systems, creating a pathway for even greater sustainability.

For businesses, this isn’t just about reducing emissions. It’s also about gaining energy resilience, lowering operating costs, and meeting increasingly strict ESG and decarbonization targets. Bloom Energy can help companies achieve all three goals.

The time to act is now

Climate change won’t wait. The next decade is critical for reducing global emissions, and Bloom Energy’s fuel cell technology is at the heart of the solution. Bloom offers a clean, reliable, and deployable alternative to the high-carbon status quo. By choosing Bloom, companies don’t have to compromise between performance and sustainability. They can power the future of AI—and do so responsibly.