The IT of Bloom Energy

Bloom Energy founder KR Sridhar said at the Wall Street Journal Eco:nomics summit on Thursday that advances in Internet technologies have made it possible for the company to remotely monitor and control its fuel cell the Bloom server. I was curious to learn more about the IT of the Bloom server, so I asked the company for more details. Here’s my Q&A with a company spokesperson:

Q). Is there a communications technology and network connecting Bloom boxes to Bloom back offices for monitoring? If so, what connection is being used? (wireless, like WiFi, cellular, GPS, etc, powerline, or even broadband connection?).

A). Each Bloom system requires three connections — a fuel input, an electric output, and an internet VPN connection. The internet connection allows us to securely monitor and manage overall system performance much like a network operations center for internet data centers.

Q). How often is the Bloom server being monitored? On a real time basis? Just connected for an as-needed basis?

A). Bloom technicians monitor all of the installed systems 24/7/365 at a centralized Command Center, which provides real-time insights into performance for each one of our customers’ installed Bloom Energy Servers. This allows us to both ensure the highest levels of performance for our customers and to gather data for learning.

Q). What is the purpose of routine monitoring and control?

A). While our customers deploy our units on their site, they just want the electricity to come out of their wall socket as it always has with no additional burden. To accomplish this Bloom provides 24/7/365 monitoring and maintenance for every system we install. Our remote monitoring capabilities allow us to track everything from temperatures, to voltages, to currents, to fuel flow rates, etc.. Our technicians are able to make adjustments remotely as necessary to ensure high levels of performance and reliability. We also use this capability to gather run-time data to help us optimize how we operate and design future units.

For More Coverage on the IT of Bloom Energy:

Bloom Energy and Data Centers – Perfect Together? (subscription required)

Bloom Energy’s Sweet Spot: Data Center Backup?

Bloom Energy By the Numbers

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