New Industry Products

ABB Showcases First DC-Powered Data Center Module

April 22, 2012 by Jeff Shepard

ABB announced that what the company calls the world’s first dc-powered data center module will be fully functional at the George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, Texas, during Automation & Power World, ABB’s annual user and customer conference. In late 2011, ABB and development partner IO announced that they would work together to deliver dc-powered data center modules, and Automation & Power World marks the global unveiling of their joint efforts.

DC-powered technology is being increasingly adopted for electrical distribution in data centers because it reduces power conversion losses offers improved energy efficiency, reduces complexity and requires less space. All of these combine to decrease equipment, installation and maintenance costs for customers.

"It is our goal at ABB to help our customers become more energy efficient through smart and sustainable technologies. For this reason, we are pursuing the further development of dc power in many contemporary applications such as electric vehicle charging, renewable energy, energy storage and data centers where substantial economic and environmental benefits can be realized," said Tarak Mehta, head of ABB’s Low Voltage Products division.

The development underlines ABB’s goal to expand dc-power applications. ABB recently designed and installed an advanced dc-power distribution system for green.ch, one of the top information and communications technology (ITC) service providers in Switzerland. As of May 2011, ABB holds a majority interest in Validus DC Systems, a provider of dc power infrastructure equipment.

More news and information regarding the latest developments in Smart Grid electronics can be found at Darnell’s SmartGridElectronics.Net.