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2026
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06
Sprintex Fuel Cell Compressors in Active Trials for Large Data Centre Power Applications Across the UK and South Korea
Author：
Fuel Cells Works
- Sprintex fuel cell compressors in active trials and sample supply with three leading global fuel cell developers targeting data centre power applications
Highlights
- Sprintex fuel cell compressors in active trials and sample supply with three leading global fuel cell developers targeting data centre power applications:
- Intelligent Energy (UK): Trials focused on stationary and micro-grid fuel cell systems, including potential data centre backup power applications
- K-Fuel Cell (South Korea): Trials on data centre SOFC platforms (up to 50 kW stacks with multi-stack scalability)
- Doosan Mobility Innovation (South Korea): Sample supply for 50 kW fuel cell systems with data centre applications
- Growing demand for reliable onsite power solutions as traditional electricity grids seek to keep pace with the rapid expansion of AI-enabled data centres and cloud computing infrastructure
- Data centres are the core physical infrastructure on which artificial intelligence platforms are trained, deployed and operated, creating an opportunity for Sprintex to participate in the AI infrastructure value chain through its fuel cell compressor technology
- Data centre power demand is forecast to roughly double by 2030, providing a near-term opportunity for SIX
- Sprintex compressors play a critical role in supplying air to fuel cell systems and enabling high levels of heat recovery, improving overall system efficiency
- Each fuel cell stack requires a dedicated compressor, with a 100 MW data centre installation potentially requiring hundreds of stacks depending on system configuration
- Sprintex compressors have been developed over four years to meet the high-performance requirements of fuel cell developers across both stationary and mobility applications
The Data Centre Power Challenge
Data centres are the foundation on which AI platforms are developed, trained and operated. AI workloads require large numbers of graphics processing units and specialised computing systems, which materially increase the power density and reliability requirements of data centre facilities. This is driving demand for new data centre capacity and for dependable on-site power solutions capable of operating alongside — or where necessary supplementing — grid supply.
Traditional electricity grids in many regions cannot keep pace. Building new generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure can take many years. Concurrently, planning authorities are increasingly requiring data centre developers to demonstrate reliable on-site power solutions as a condition of approval.
While the grid remains the preferred option for most applications, fuel cell systems — including hydrogen fuel cells and Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) technologies — are being actively evaluated where rapid deployment, high reliability and low emissions are critical. These systems offer significantly higher efficiency than diesel generators and produce clean exhaust, enabling substantially higher waste heat recovery from both the fuel cell itself and from data centre cooling systems. This improves overall energy efficiency and helps offset the cost of fuel production and storage.
Global data centre electricity consumption is projected to roughly double from 415 TWh in 2024 to around 945 TWh by 2030, with AI-driven demand growing even faster. In Australia, new investment among the country's largest data centre operators is expected to top $26 billion by 2030. Many hyperscale data centres now require tens to hundreds of megawatts of reliable power — providing an exceptional and very near-term opportunity for the Company.
For context, a single 100 MW data centre installation could require several hundred fuel cell stacks (depending on individual stack ratings of 50–325 kW). Even modest adoption of fuel cell technology in this market would represent a substantial addressable opportunity for high-performance components such as Sprintex fuel cell compressors.
What Is a Fuel Cell and Fuel Cell Compressor?
A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that generates electricity through the reaction of fuel (such as hydrogen) and oxygen, producing only water and heat as by-products. Fuel cells — including Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) and Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) technologies — are used in a range of applications including vehicles, stationary power generation and backup energy systems.
A fuel cell compressor is a critical component within a fuel cell system. It supplies and regulates the flow of air (oxygen) into the fuel cell stack at the required pressure and efficiency. The performance of the compressor directly impacts the overall efficiency, power output and durability of the fuel cell system. Sprintex's fuel cell compressors are designed to deliver high-speed, oil-free and energy-efficient air supply, supporting both high system efficiency and effective heat recovery — particularly valuable in data centre applications.
Active Trials and Sample Supply
Sprintex fuel cell compressors are currently involved in active trials and sample supply programmes with the following developers:
- Intelligent Energy (UK): Trials focused on stationary and micro-grid fuel cell systems, including potential data centre backup power applications
- K-Fuel Cell (South Korea): Trials on data centre SOFC platforms (up to 50 kW stacks with multi-stack scalability)
- Doosan Mobility Innovation (South Korea): Sample supply for 50 kW fuel cell systems with data centre applications
The Company notes that these trials and sample supply programmes are not yet commercial production arrangements. Any future sales, revenue or material contracts will depend on successful technical evaluation, customer qualification, commercial negotiations and, where applicable, execution of binding agreements.
These programmes build on more than four years of development since Sprintex commenced focused work on fuel cell compressors in 2021. The Company's compressor platforms offer high power density, efficiency up to 82%, and compact oil-free designs suited to both stationary and mobility fuel cell systems — qualities directly relevant to the reliability and efficiency requirements of data centre power infrastructure.