Developer submits plans to build fuel cell-powered data center in Chantilly
T5 Data Centers has applied for a special exception to build a 312,000-square-foot data center in Chantilly, Fairfax County. The proposed Project Charlie would use natural-gas fuel cells for about 48 megawatts of its power, with Dominion Energy supplying up to 27 additional megawatts from the grid.
T5 Data Centers submitted an application to Fairfax County for a special exception allowing construction of a 312,000-square-foot data center at Stonecroft Boulevard and Lee Road in Chantilly. Dubbed Project Charlie, the facility could become Fairfax County's first fuel cell-powered data center and would include about 30,000 square feet of office space.
The proposal calls for Washington Gas to supply natural gas to fuel cells producing approximately 48 megawatts, while Dominion Energy would provide up to 27 megawatts from the power grid. T5 says the technology would reduce grid reliance, localized air pollution and water use, and the project includes voluntary nighttime noise limits stricter than county code. Because the building exceeds the area's 80,000-square-foot threshold for light-industrial development, county approval of the special exception is required.