ECL

ECL

Hydrogen-powered modular data centers for AI

Overview

ECL provides Data Center-as-a-Service through hydrogen-powered, modular 1 MW data centers that run off-grid using hydrogen fuel cells, with water recycled for cooling in a closed loop to achieve zero emissions. The facilities deploy in about six to nine months and can be expanded by adding more 1 MW blocks to form larger campuses, including support for high-density AI workloads. Revenue comes from build-and-handoff (one-time fee) and build-and-operate (recurring monthly fees). ECL differentiates itself by eliminating grid dependence, emphasizing sustainability and rapid deployment, with a goal to expand its green data center footprint, including a planned 1 GW campus in Texas to meet growing AI demand.

About ECL

Simplify's Rating
Why ECL is rated
B-
Rated B on Competitive Edge
Rated B on Growth Potential
Rated C on Differentiation

Industries

Hardware

Industrial & Manufacturing

Energy

Enterprise Software

Company Size

51-200

Company Stage

Seed

Total Funding

$7M

Headquarters

Mountain View, California

Founded

2020

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • April 2026 CSC-1 expands ECL to a 35MW Santa Clara campus.
  • PowerCell and Bosch validate ECL's fuel-cell stack for industrial-scale deployment.
  • AI compute demand in power-constrained markets supports earlier tenant commitments and pricing power.

What critics are saying

  • CSC-1's 300MW expansion remains mostly an uncommitted MOU, not contracted revenue.
  • The Santa Clara site still relies on natural gas, undercutting zero-emission positioning.
  • Permitting, hydrogen supply, and utility approvals can kill the 35MW build and future campus.

What makes ECL unique

  • ECL runs hydrogen-powered modular data centers, not conventional grid-dependent colocation.
  • MV-1 has operated since 2024 and is fully leased to Cato Digital.
  • FlexGrid combines grid, hydrogen, natural gas, and batteries for dense AI workloads.

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Funding

Total Funding

$7M

Above

Industry Average

Funded Over

1 Rounds

Seed funding is usually the first official round after pre-seed, when a startup has a prototype or concept. It’s typically used to develop the product, test the market, and start building the team. Investors here are often angel investors or early-stage venture capitalists.
Seed Funding Comparison
Above Average

Industry standards

$3.3M
$2M
Netflix
$2.3M
Instacart
$3M
Robinhood
$7M
ECL

Benefits

Company Equity

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

0%

1 year growth

-2%

2 year growth

8%
AdvanceH2
Jul 15th, 2026
Transforming AI infrastructure: over 300 MW hydrogen solutions for data centers.

Transforming AI infrastructure: over 300 MW hydrogen solutions for data centers. Key points. * ECL, PowerCell, and Bosch are collaborating on a hydrogen-powered solution for AI data centers. * The initiative aims to provide over 300 MW of hydrogen fuel cell systems. * Hydrogen generation will help data centers reduce dependence on traditional electrical grids. * The partnership seeks to advance sustainable energy solutions amid rising power demands. In a significant move towards integrating sustainable energy solutions into digital infrastructure, ECL, PowerCell, and Bosch have teamed up to deploy over 300 MW of hydrogen-based generation systems intended to power data centers focused on artificial intelligence (AI). This partnership comes at a time when the demand for computing resources continues to surge due to advancements in AI applications, putting traditional electrical grids under unprecedented strain. As companies scramble to find alternative energy sources that can offer continuous power while maintaining lower emissions, this initiative positions hydrogen as a compelling solution. The strategic alliance was highlighted in a recent announcement, which detailed a firm order for PowerCell's PS190 equipment and a memorandum of understanding geared towards progressive capacity expansion as ECL develops its FlexGrid platform. The collaboration emphasizes hydrogen's role in complementing existing energy sources, allowing data centers to implement high availability energy solutions independent of the conventional electrical grid. Bosch's involvement in this project is pivotal, as it leverages its extensive experience in manufacturing large-scale fuel cell systems. This expertise is expected to bolster the anticipated growth in demand for hydrogen solutions, particularly in data centers where operational continuity is paramount. The partnership aims to accelerate the commercial deployment of such systems, thus paving the way for more resilient energy infrastructures in the face of increasing consumption demands. The initiative builds upon successful operational experiences with PowerCell systems, which have already been in use for over two years at ECL's MV-1 data center in Mountain View, California. Plans are already underway for further deployments at the CSC-1 campus in Santa Clara, reinforcing the commitment to developing hydrogen as a primary energy source for the growing AI sector. This transition not only mitigates dependence on fossil fuels but also enhances flexibility in regions facing challenges with new electrical capacity for data center expansions. The emergence of hydrogen technology in digital infrastructure signals a broader shift within the energy sector towards sustainable practices. As the appetite for power continues to expand with the rise of AI applications, innovative energy solutions such as hydrogen are becoming integral to the future of operational resilience. The collaboration between ECL, PowerCell, and Bosch is set to accelerate the integration of these scalable energy strategies, marking a crucial step toward meeting the electricity demands of an increasingly digital world. July 15, 2026 at 12:10 PM Mountain View, United States

AdvanceH2
Jul 13th, 2026
PowerCell's major hydrogen fuel cell order fuels AI data center's future power needs.

PowerCell's major hydrogen fuel cell order fuels AI data center's future power needs. Key points. * PowerCell secures a SEK 30 million order for hydrogen fuel cell systems from ECL in Santa Clara. * The project integrates PS190 fuel cells into a multi-MW energy system for AI workloads. * Collaboration with ECL and Bosch aims to enhance the operational stability of hydrogen power solutions. * The installation is projected to boost recurring revenue opportunities through services and software. PowerCell has recently announced a significant order to supply hydrogen fuel cell systems valued at approximately SEK 30 million for ECL's CSC-1 AI data center campus in Santa Clara, California. This order marks a substantial contribution to the energy requirements of AI infrastructures, which are increasingly constrained by power supply challenges. The order specifically includes PowerCell PS190 fuel cell systems that will be integrated into ECL's FlexGrid microgrid architecture. This technology will enable the facility to achieve an installed capacity in the 5 MW class, enhancing the operational capabilities of the data center. The strategic collaboration between PowerCell, ECL, and Bosch aims to deploy industrial-scale hydrogen fuel cell solutions for AI infrastructure needs. The previous successful deployment of PowerCell's fuel cell systems at ECL's MV-1 AI data center has laid the groundwork for this new order. Deliveries of the fuel cell systems are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026, emphasizing a long-term commitment to integrating hydrogen fuel cells into primary energy infrastructure rather than relying on backup solutions. PowerCell's approach combines its advanced fuel cell technology with digital energy orchestration, represented by the PowerCell Distributed Master Controller (DMC). This combination enhances the resilience and flexibility of the energy system, catering specifically to the demanding power needs of AI workloads. Richard Berkling, CEO of PowerCell Group, highlighted that the ongoing collaboration reflects a shift in how hydrogen fuel cells are integrated into critical energy infrastructure, especially as demand for computational power continues to escalate. The CSC-1 campus will be a pioneering model, showcasing how hydrogen fuel cells, grid power, batteries, and natural gas can work in unison within a resilient energy system. Yuval Bachar, Founder and CEO of ECL, emphasized the necessity for consistent power supply for AI operations and expressed confidence in utilizing PowerCell's PS190 systems based on substantial operational data collected over the past two years. Overall, this initiative not only positions PowerCell as a key player in the evolving landscape of energy solutions but also highlights the importance of resilient energy systems for critical applications like AI. The project is expected to usher in opportunities for recurring revenues through associated software and services, marking another step toward achieving a sustainable, emission-free future through hydrogen technology. July 13, 2026 at 11:20 AM Santa Clara, United States

Associated Press
Feb 11th, 2026
ECL launches FlexGrid platform to power AI data centres with mixed energy sources

Modular data centre pioneer ECL has announced FlexGrid, a power-agnostic platform designed to enable AI inferencing deployment in power-constrained locations. The system allows operators to deploy GPU-rich capacity where grid power and hydrogen are not readily available. FlexGrid uses ECL's proprietary power conditioning system to combine multiple energy sources — including grid power, hydrogen, natural gas, renewables and diesel — into a single reliable feed. Customers can start with 2–10 MW grid connections and scale to 20–25 MW per site by adding additional power sources. The platform addresses the growing infrastructure challenges of AI inferencing, which requires proximity to users and data sources in locations typically lacking substantial power capacity. Led by founder and CEO Yuval Bachar, ECL is backed by Molex Ventures and Hyperwise Ventures.

SiliconANGLE Media
Jan 7th, 2023
Data center-as-a-service startup ECL exits stealth with $7M in seed funding

Data center-as-a-service startup ECL exits stealth with $7M in seed funding - SiliconANGLE

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