Abstract: Cooling a first device and second device in a fashion to produce water. The method includes collecting environmental air from an environment. The environmental air is used to cool a first device. Cooling the first device generates first device exhaust air produced from the environmental air. The first device exhaust air is provided to a first device portion of a heat exchanger. At a second device portion of the heat exchanger, thermally coupled to the first device portion of the heat exchanger, second device exhaust air generated by cooling a second device is received. At the heat exchanger, the first device exhaust air is used to cool the second device exhaust air to a dew point, causing condensed water to be created from the second device exhaust air. The condensed water is collected.

Abstract: A bus architecture for supplying power to loads in a datacenter includes a first DC bus including a first bus conductor and a first plurality of source/load groups. Each of the first plurality of source/load groups includes a first power source and a first plurality of loads, wherein at least one of the first plurality of loads includes a server rack. The first power source in each of the first plurality of source/load groups is sized to supply power to the first plurality of loads for the corresponding one of the first plurality of source/load groups. The first power source in each of the first plurality of source/load groups is also sized to provide excess capacity to be shared by the first plurality of loads corresponding to other ones of the first plurality of source/load groups.

Abstract: A fuel cell power controller tracks load current and fuel cell output voltage, and alerts on excessive fuel cell ramp rate, so another power source can supplement the fuel cell and/or the load can be reduced. A power engineering process makes efficient use of available fuel cell power by ramping up power flow rapidly when power is available, while respecting the ramp rate and other power limitations of the fuel cell and safety limitations of the load. Power flow decreases after an alert indicating an electrical output limitation of the fuel cell. Permitted power flow increases in response to a power demand increase (actual or requested) from the load in the absence of the alert. Power flow may increase or decrease in a fixed amount, a proportional amount, or per a sequence. A power controller relay may trip open on a low fuel cell output voltage or high load current.

Abstract: A bus architecture for supplying power to a datacenter. A first DC bus includes a first DC bus conductor, a first power source and a first diode having a cathode connected to the first DC bus conductor. The first DC bus includes a first converter connected to the first power source and to an anode of the first diode. Power output by the first power source via the first converter is supplied at a first voltage level. The first DC bus includes a first plurality of loads and a first plurality of DC/DC converters connecting the first plurality of loads to the first DC bus conductor, respectively. The first DC bus includes a second diode having a cathode connected to the first DC bus conductors. A first uninterruptable power supply is connected to an anode of the second diode and operates at a second voltage level.

Abstract: A bus architecture for supplying power to a datacenter. A first DC bus includes a first DC bus conductor, a first power source and a first diode having a cathode connected to the first DC bus conductor. The first DC bus includes a first converter connected to the first power source and to an anode of the first diode. Power output by the first power source via the first converter is supplied at a first voltage level. The first DC bus includes a first plurality of loads and a first plurality of DC/DC converters connecting the first plurality of loads to the first DC bus conductor, respectively. The first DC bus includes a second diode having a cathode connected to the first DC bus conductors. A first uninterruptable power supply is connected to an anode of the second diode and operates at a second voltage level.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a power supply component for a computer server may include a physical input receptacle adapted to receive with of an Alternating Current (“AC”) plug and a Direct Current (“DC”) plug. An AC-to-DC rectifier circuit coupled to the physical input receptacle may convert AC current into DC current when AC current is received via the physical input receptacle. The power supply component may also include a DC-to-DC voltage regulator to reduce voltages swings. The power supply component might be associated with, for example, a computer data center.

Abstract: Computing devices receive power from multiple fuel cells, consuming natural gas and outputting electrical energy natively consumable by the computing devices. The fuel cells are sized to provide power to a set of computing devices, such as a rack thereof. The computing devices of a failed fuel cell can receive power from adjacent fuel cells. Additionally, the fuel cells and computing devices are positioned to realize thermal symbiotic efficiencies. Controllers instruct the computing devices to deactivate or throttle down power consuming functions during instances where the power consumption demand is increasing faster than the power being sourced by fuel cells, and instruct the computing devices to activate or throttle up power consuming functions during instances where the power consumption demand is decreasing faster than the power being sourced by the fuel cells. Supplemental power sources, supplementing the fuel cells' inability to quickly change power output, are not required.

Abstract: A fuel cell power controller tracks load current and fuel cell output voltage, and alerts on excessive fuel cell ramp rate, so another power source can supplement the fuel cell and/or the load can be reduced. A power engineering process makes efficient use of available fuel cell power by ramping up power flow rapidly when power is available, while respecting the ramp rate and other power limitations of the fuel cell and safety limitations of the load. Power flow decreases after an alert indicating an electrical output limitation of the fuel cell. Permitted power flow increases in response to a power demand increase (actual or requested) from the load in the absence of the alert. Power flow may increase or decrease in a fixed amount, a proportional amount, or per a sequence. A power controller relay may trip open on a low fuel cell output voltage or high load current.

Abstract: Technology for concurrently powering equipment from multiple power sources, and the control thereof is disclosed. One example implementation of the technology includes a first power supply that powers equipment from a first power source and a second power supply that also powers the equipment from a second power source while the equipment is being powered by the first power supply. A target direct current (DC) output voltage of at least one of the power supplies is changed, thereby changing a ratio of the power being drawn from the first power supply to the power being drawn from the second power supply.

Abstract: A power supply is described herein which provides power to a load, such as a load including one or more computing devices. The power supply uses a slow-response power source (such as a fuel-driven mechanism) to handle a slow-moving component of the demand level presented by the load, and uses a fast-response power source (such as a battery or a capacitor, etc.) to handle a fast-moving component of the demand level. By virtue of this approach, the power supply can manage the load level as it appears to the slow-response power source, allowing, in turn, the slow-response power source to service even fast-changing loads—a task which it could not otherwise perform due to its native limitations.

Abstract: A method of managing a power supply system for a data center includes circulating a fluid in a cooling circuit, obtaining data regarding a server located in the data center using a sensor, controlling the transfer of heat energy from the server to the fluid based on the data, coupling the fluid to an electrochemical power generator, and generating power for the server using the fluid in the electrochemical power generator.

Abstract: A power supply system for a data center includes a cooling circuit, an electrochemical power generator, a sensor, and a processor. The cooling circuit includes a fluid configured to receive heat energy generated by a server located in the data center. The electrochemical power generator is configured to receive and/or generate the fluid of the cooling circuit and to generate electrical energy for the server using the fluid. The sensor is configured to obtain data regarding the server. The processor is configured to control an amount of heat energy transferred from the server to the fluid based on the data.

Abstract: A power supply system for a data center includes a cooling circuit, an electrochemical power generator, a sensor, and a processor. The cooling circuit includes a fluid configured to receive heat energy generated by a server located in the data center. The electrochemical power generator is configured to receive and/or generate the fluid of the cooling circuit and to generate electrical energy for the server using the fluid. The sensor is configured to obtain data regarding the server. The processor is configured to control an amount of heat energy transferred from the server to the fluid based on the data.

Abstract: A power supply system for a data center includes a cooling circuit, an electrochemical power generator, a sensor, and a processor. The cooling circuit includes a fluid configured to receive heat energy generated by a server located in the data center. The electrochemical power generator is configured to receive and/or generate the fluid of the cooling circuit and to generate electrical energy for the server using the fluid. The sensor is configured to obtain data regarding the server. The processor is configured to control an amount of heat energy transferred from the server to the fluid based on the data.

Abstract: Computing devices receive power from multiple fuel cells, consuming natural gas and outputting electrical energy natively consumable by the computing devices. The fuel cells are sized to provide power to a set of computing devices, such as a rack thereof. The computing devices of a failed fuel cell can receive power from adjacent fuel cells. Additionally, the fuel cells and computing devices are positioned to realize thermal symbiotic efficiencies. Controllers instruct the computing devices to deactivate or throttle down power consuming functions during instances where the power consumption demand is increasing faster than the power being sourced by fuel cells, and instruct the computing devices to activate or throttle up power consuming functions during instances where the power consumption demand is decreasing faster than the power being sourced by the fuel cells. Supplemental power sources, supplementing the fuel cells' inability to quickly change power output, are not required.

Abstract: A “Cascading Startup Controller” provides various techniques for quickly and efficiently initializing grids of interconnected fuel cells. In general, the Cascading Startup Controller dynamically controls heat exchange between fuel cells in the grid to produce a cascading startup of the fuel cell grid via an expanding pattern of excess thermal energy routing from hotter fuel cell stacks to cooler fuel cell stacks. This expanding pattern of excess thermal energy routing is dynamically controlled via automated valves of a heat exchange grid coupled to the fuel cell grid to decrease a total startup time for fuel cell stacks in the grid. Additional excess heat beyond that used to heat fuel cells to operational temperatures is then made available for a variety of purposes, including, but not limited to, preheating gas or other fuel for use by the fuel cells, local or community-based heating systems, heat-based energy cogeneration systems, etc.

Abstract: A self-powered processing device comprises both a processing device and a power generator that are physically, electrically, and thermally coupled to one another. The power generator can be a fuel cell that can be manufactured from materials that can also support processing circuitry, such as silicon-based materials. A thermal coupling between the power generator and the processing device can include a thermoelectric either generating electrical power from the temperature differential or consuming electrical power to generate a temperature differential. A computing device with self-powered processing devices also includes energy storage devices to store excess energy produced by the self-powered processing device and provide it back during times of need. The self-powered processing device comprises either a wireless or wired network connection, the latter being connectable to a slot on a backplane that can aggregate multiple self-powered processing devices and provide fuel delivery paths for them.

Abstract: Water condensate is captured from the exhaust of a generator utilized to provide power to a data center, and the captured water is then utilized for data center purposes such as adiabatic cooling. The exhaust of electrical power generators is passed through a condenser to obtain water condensate from such exhaust. The water condensate is stored in water storage units and is utilized to provide supplemental cooling to the data center. Sporadic usage of water can enable the water storage to be refilled between uses, since water condensate can be obtained from exhaust almost continuously. The level of water is monitored and the level of processing performed by the data center is adjusted to avoid emptying such water storage units. Historical climatological data is utilized to estimate the water required. Additionally, short and long-range weather forecasts can be optionally taken into account.

Abstract: Computing devices receive power from multiple fuel cells, consuming natural gas and outputting electrical energy natively consumable by the computing devices. The fuel cells are sized to provide power to a set of computing devices, such as a rack thereof. The computing devices of a failed fuel cell can receive power from adjacent fuel cells. Additionally, the fuel cells and computing devices are positioned to realize thermal symbiotic efficiencies. Controllers instruct the computing devices to deactivate or throttle down power consuming functions during instances where the power consumption demand is increasing faster than the power being sourced by fuel cells, and instruct the computing devices to activate or throttle up power consuming functions during instances where the power consumption demand is decreasing faster than the power being sourced by the fuel cells. Supplemental power sources, supplementing the fuel cells' inability to quickly change power output, are not required.

Abstract: Gas supply pressure spikes are absorbed and leveled-out by a gas supply shock absorber comprising gas storage, which is charged during positive pressure spikes and utilized during negative pressure spikes. The gas supply shock absorber also comprises pressure sensing and regulating valves, which direct positive pressure spikes to the gas storage and draw gas from storage during negative pressure spikes. A backflow preventer limits shock absorption to co-located equipment, but gas supply shock absorbers operate in aggregate to create additional demand during positive pressure spikes and reduced demand during negative pressure spikes. If the gas storage has sufficient gas, a co-located data center utilizes such gas for increased electrical power generation during increased processing activity, which can be requested or generated. Conversely, if the gas storage has insufficient gas, and a negative pressure spike occurs, the data center throttles down or offloads processing.