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PowerLines by Linnea Brush
December 19, 2011
Conferences Based on Controversies
Power Channels: Communications Power, Energy Efficiency, Power Components, Renewable Energy, Smart Grid Power, Switch-Mode Power
Several years ago, if someone had told me they were going to build a conference around dc building power and microgrids, I would have said they were crazy. Both concepts were controversial at the time, but each had devoted advocates. Field trials were going on, but these implementations were identified as “few and far-between,” with virtually no “commercial” deployments. I spoke with individuals who were involved with dc-powered data centers and microgrids, and even the “pro” contingent admitted that it would be a while before these ideas took hold on a large scale.
Well, it looks like the ideas took hold more quickly than even the advocates thought.
Darnell’s third-annual DC Building Asia conference just concluded and, based on the number of companies presenting (as opposed to academic and research institutions), commercial implementations are more widespread and broadening. NTT Facilities, Fujitsu, Delta Products, ZBB Energy Storage, CHEM, and the companies represented by the EMerge Alliance gave presentations; with the smart grid, dc microgrids, LED lighting, integrated power management and energy storage, and data center/telecom powering requirements driving advancements.
Previously, dc powering on a large, dominant scale was pretty much limited to telecom applications. That became open to change with the deregulation of the telecom industry, and packet-based data transmission came into the limelight. Convergence of dc- and ac-based powering was inevitable, but the ac model was so entrenched (particularly as data centers started proliferating) that few expected enterprises to want the hassle of managing a dc-powered facility. Microgrids were even more “fringe,” and were seen mainly as off-the-grid anomalies or “green” projects for university campuses.
What deregulation couldn’t accomplish, cost demands did. Suddenly, energy efficiency became the major goal of data centers everywhere, with every last watt being monitored and controlled. Dc powering is very efficient and reliable, which is why the telcos use it. What was a novel idea now became a way to save money and be environmentally responsible. The way was paved for dc building power and microgrids. It helped that renewable energy sources such as photovoltaics and wind power were being increasingly implemented, as well.
It still takes large company backing to jump-start a fledgling technology, however. Japan spearheaded much of the early field trials for both microgrids and dc building power – especially on a residential level. The US was looking more at data center powering, which was quickly getting out of hand as far as power consumption was concerned. Dc powering started extending beyond the data center with the formation of the EMerge Alliance (backed by another large company, Armstrong Industries). Dc power was now being considered at lower voltage levels, such as in commercial buildings.
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We would like to hear your comments on the topics discussed in this column. We welcome the opportunity to publish opposing opinions. Please email Jeff Shepard at jshepard@darnell.com.
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