380V DC eco-system development: present status and future challenges

Inhalt:
A need for improved reliability and more efficient power distribution is a result of continuous increase in global power consumption and a shift in power profile of modern loads. As more and more equipment is transitioning to electronic type loads (now already a majority of demand from utilities) which are natively DC, it makes sense to consider DC architectures for primary power delivery and backup in order to eliminate extra power conversion stages as possible. In addition, the majority of renewable energy generation inherently produces DC power, which in present applications requires additional conversion stages to couple to existing electrical distribution. Application of low voltage DC distribution provides a vehicle to simplify and optimize the electrical system in terms of reliability, power quality, efficiency, modularity and cost and eliminates the need for complex synchronization circuits associated with multi source AC distribution. The DC topology also offers an opportunity to operate in ON or OFF GRID mode in DC micro-grids. One perceived obstacle to wide implementation of the DC distribution concept is ready availability of system elements and powered electrical equipment. This paper, focused on DC applications in data centers and telecom facilities, provides an updated overview of activities and progress in 380V DC (see note below) eco system development to address this perception.