Amogy and 2G Energy Complete Ammonia-to-Power Test for Data Center Use

Hydrogen-cracking firm Amogy and German energy company 2G Energy have successfully completed an ammonia-to-power test at Amogy’s Houston facility, evaluating the technology’s potential to support data center infrastructure. The collaboration marks a step forward in addressing the growing power demands of data centers while exploring lower-carbon alternatives to traditional fossil fuels.

The companies tested their AMMDrive solution, which pairs Amogy’s ammonia reformer with a 2G Agenitor 412 reciprocating engine-generator set. During the test, the reformer converted ammonia into a hydrogen-rich reformate fuel stream, which fueled the engine to generate electricity at commercially viable levels. The unit is designed to run on either natural gas or ammonia, offering data center operators flexibility to meet immediate power needs while advancing longer-term decarbonization goals.

According to the partners, the modular architecture of the system allows for phased capacity expansion, enabling power availability to align with the pace of data center construction. This adaptability is expected to be a key selling point for operators facing tight timelines and evolving energy requirements.

“This successful test is an important proof point for Amogy’s ammonia-to-power platform and for customers seeking flexible, reliable power,” said Seonghoon Woo, CEO of Amogy. “Customers need solutions that can meet today’s power constraints without limiting future opportunities. By integrating our reformer with 2G’s engine technology, we’re giving customers a practical way to meet immediate power needs while creating a pathway to incorporate ammonia to support longer-term decarbonization strategies.”

Following the tests, the partners plan to optimize the integration of the two technologies for future deployments. Pablo Hofelich, CEO of 2G Energy, said the collaboration demonstrates the adaptability of 2G’s engine platform and its ability to support a range of fuel pathways, including ammonia-derived hydrogen. “Our modular engine technology is designed to deliver reliable power while adapting to evolving customer requirements. Together with Amogy, we’re expanding the potential for practical, fuel-flexible, lower-carbon power solutions across a range of commercial applications,” he said.

2G Energy, headquartered in Heek, Germany, and founded in 1995, develops, produces, and installs combined heat and power (CHP) systems, large heat pumps, and peak-load gensets. In May, the firm reported receiving an order to supply containerized power plants to data centers in North America.

Brooklyn-based Amogy has identified the data center sector as a key offtaker for its ammonia-to-power technology. Last year, the company partnered with UK-based Kinetics, a subsidiary of Turkish firm Karpowerships, to develop integrated offshore platforms combining power generation and data center infrastructure. Amogy has also collaborated with Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*Star) to explore ammonia-based technologies for powering the city-state’s data center sector.

Ammonia cracking, the process at the heart of the system, uses heat and a catalyst to break down ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen. The hydrogen produced can be fed into fuel cells, blended with conventional fuels, or purified for industrial use. Proponents view it as one of the most efficient ways to transport and supply hydrogen energy. However, the technology faces challenges, including significant energy requirements, limited catalyst performance, and the risk of producing hydrogen that falls short of the purity needed for sensitive applications.

Adoption of ammonia cracking in the data center sector remains limited. In 2022, Fujitsu suggested that future data centers could be powered by ammonia, with the company reportedly working on a cleaner method to manufacture the caustic gas required for the cracking process. The new test by Amogy and 2G Energy represents a tangible step toward commercial deployment, offering a potential pathway for data center operators to balance speed-to-power demands with sustainability objectives.