Data Centers and IT – DC-NEXUS

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Data Centers and IT

As we have moved from the Industrial Age to the Information Age the demand for energy has increased exponentially. Driven by the proliferation of devices and data, data centers around the world are becoming larger and more power hungry. Firms must become more efficient and they must ensure the energy is reliable. Many firms are seeking new solutions to accomplish this including embracing wind, solar, combined heat and power and fuel cells. DC-NEXUS explores data centers and how a DC power infrastructure can be an integral part of any solution to meet future energy needs, especially those that are inclusive of the use of microgrids.

Legrand Leads Push for Mass DC Commercialization

On February 15, 2017, leaders from industry, government labs, standards and non-profit groups gathered in Denver for a one day workshop to catalyze the adoption of direct current (DC) solutions worldwide. Sponsored by Legrand and the Alliance for Sustainable Colorado, the discussion focused on DC solutions currently available in the marketplace and how the number…

DC-Pedia FAQ Updated

As part of our educational efforts, we continue to work with our DC-NEXUS Collaborative members to improve the FAQ section of the DC-Pedia. Please review the latest edition of the FAQ here. Many thanks to members of ES2 located at Georgia Tech for the updates.

380V direct current benefits data centers

Founder David Geary launches the white papers section of the DC-NEXUS site. His initial contributions describe the benefits of 380V dc (direct current) in the data center. Summary and detail documents are available.

DC-Pedia FAQ is launched

Chairman level adviser, Dr. Brandon Grainger, helped the DC-NEXUS team formally launch the DC-Pedia frequently asked questions (FAQ) site section. Over time, we expect this to become the nexus for all basic knowledge related to direct current solutions. We invite you to peruse the FAQ here.

Universal Electric Provides a Track to the Future

The Smart Energy Microgrid Pavilion (SEMP) at this year’s Solar Power International (SPI) show provided a glimpse into the future of energy production, management and use. What may have gone unnoticed is the central role direct current (DC) products had in making this showcase a success. At the heart of the pavilion was a collection…

DC-NEXUS CO-FOUNDER STANDS WITH HIS MASTERPIECE

Every good project needs a great engineer. DC-NEXUS co-founder, EMerge Standards Committe Co-Chair and VP of Power Analytics, David Geary stands with the “heart” of the Smart Energy Microgrid Pavilion. This pavilion was part of the 2016 Solar Power International (SPI) Show in Las Vegas. Many man-hours were spent by participating companies to put…

DC-NEXUS COLLABORATIVE AND ADVISORY BOARD LAUNCH

Following the exciting events and presentations of Solar Power International (2016), we are busy preparing the direct current news stories that will showcase the best innovations displayed in Las Vegas. In mean time, we would like to take this opportunity to formally announce the launch of the DC-NEXUS Collaborative. Creating meaningful and sustainable change is…

Going Off Grid – SPI 2016

As part of the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Smart Energy Microgid Pavilion (SEMP), Brian Patterson (EMerge Alliance), Julia Hamm (SEPA) and Austin “DC” Powers, unplugged the SEMP from the grid during Solar Power International 2016. Attendees marveled at the seamless transition from a grid connected, to a grid disconnected, state. The lead engineer on…

DC-NEXUS Formal Launch

With the start of the Solar Power International Show in Las Vegas and the unveiling of the Smart Energy Microgrid Pavilion, we at DC-NEXUS are proud to announce the formal launch of our website. We are excited to report on all of the latest direct current related news from the show. A copy of…

ELE aims to reduce waste with new DC equipment

ELe has developed equipment that can deliver direct current (DC) directly to DC loads, like computers, without the need for AC to DC conversions. Technologies like this can reduce overall electricity demands. Link: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/blog/new-innovation-efficient-use-electricity?utm_source=Smart+Villages+Newsletter&utm_campaign=1064ebde5a-Newsletter-091&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_29b73dbd4c-1064ebde5a-291087793

Recycled EV batteries already making an impact

A venture between Nissan and Eaton is recycling electric vehicle batteries from the Nissan Leaf to serve as a component of the energy storage system within French data centers. These batteries will be used in combination with Eaton’s uninterruptible power supplies. Link: https://thestack.com/data-centre/2016/07/01/nissan-recycling-leaf-batteries-to-power-data-center/

Direct Current Electricity Transmission

Until very recently, electrical transmission over long distances via direct current (DC) was not efficient. Technological innovations have now made transmission via DC more efficient than alternating current (AC). Since much of the electrical demand is from equipment and devices that natively operate on DC power, additional efficiency can be gained if the conversion step…

Google Makes Direct Current Contribution to OCP

Google furthers their involvement with Open Compute by contributing a 48V direct current specification to the project. Link: http://www.datacenterknowledge.com/archives/2016/03/09/google-contributes-48v-shallow-data-center-rack-to-ocp/

Some advantages of DC over AC

Dr. Gregory Reed provides examples of why direct current is advantageous over alternating current, especially in light of the way we use energy today. Much has changed since the original argument between Edison and Tesla. Link: http://electricalindustry.ca/latest-news/1018-9-reasons-why-dc-may-replace-ac

Next-Generation Energy Efficient Data Center

AUSTIN, Texas — Partnering with the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), which acts as a Japanese government agency, The University of Texas at Austin will begin using alternative energy sources to power some of its high-performance computers. Read more: http://news.utexas.edu/2015/08/11/ut-japan-collaborate-on-energy-efficient-data-center

Equinix and its California data centers go solar

The data center operator embraces solar partly because it’s a request from its Internet customers. Equinix, which operates more than 105 data centers around the world, has agreed to buy solar energy to power its operations in California. The move, announced on Wednesday, shows how the world’s largest Internet companies—many of which buy data center…