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DC grids for green data centers
With the rapid growth of digital applications and the rise of AI technologies, the amount of energy required by data centers is also increasing. DC power grids are a forward-thinking solution for making the power supply in data centers more energy-efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective.
The challenge
Growing energy requirements in data centers
Data centers are among the largest energy consumers in the digital infrastructure. The growing demand for computing power from cloud services, IoT, 5G, and AI is driving up power consumption and energy costs, while at the same time the pressure to reduce carbon emissions is increasing. At the same time, operators must ensure a stable power supply, increase resilience, and reduce dependence on the public grid, for example through local energy sources and intelligent storage solutions. In addition, efficient energy management is crucial for minimizing downtimes, reducing costs, and achieving sustainability goals. Green data centers therefore require new concepts for sustainable and economical operation – one approach is to switch to direct current grids.
Various committees are already researching the use of direct current in data centers. The selection of suitable DC-compatible components is crucial for operational safety. We already provide reliable solutions with innovative technologies for this. Standards and best practices are being developed rapidly, a sign of the growing significance of this technology. Investments in DC infrastructure pay off in the long term through higher efficiency, lower losses, and better integration of renewable energies. Investing in DC today means actively shaping the future of data center power supplies.
DC technology is paving the way for a more environmentally friendly and efficient future for data centers. By using these innovative approaches, we can ensure that growth is sustainable and environmentally friendly.
The solution
Efficient power supplies for data centers
The use of DC grids in data centers reduces conversion losses by connecting energy sources such as PV systems and battery storage systems directly to loads such as servers and cooling systems. The majority of the classic AC/DC and DC/AC conversion points are no longer required. This increases energy efficiency and reduces heat generation. The associated energy savings have a direct impact on operating costs. In addition, a DC grid improves grid stability. The direct coupling of generators, storage systems, and loads means that voltage fluctuations can be better balanced out and peak loads can be cushioned. This not only reduces the load on the public power grid, but also increases the failsafe performance of the data center.
In combination with intelligent load management and renewable energies, a direct current grid creates a robust, scalable and economical energy infrastructure for green data centers. It is a perfect solution for meeting the high requirements on efficiency and availability. Open hardware standards that are being developed in the Open Compute Project+ (OCP) are simplifying the integration of data center loads into a DC power grid considerably. With the standardization of interfaces, rack architectures, and power supplies, OCP systems can be integrated seamlessly into DC grids. This creates an end-to-end direct current architecture from the energy input right through to the load, which both reduces operating costs and increases system stability.
Phoenix Contact's solutions for DC grids, which have proven themselves in projects such as the All Electric Society Factory, are also suitable for DC architectures in data centers. These include rack-mounted power modules for AC-DC high-voltage conversion, QUINT POWER DIN rail power supplies for auxiliary DC voltages, CONTACTRON ELR HDC circuit breakers for safe switching and protection, ArcZero connectors for arc-free hot-plugging, EMpro meters and Smart RTUs for energy monitoring, and BPC battery connectors for utility-scale storage integration. Together, these components enable efficient, safe, and scalable DC power distribution that reduces conversion losses and simplifies the integration of renewable energy and batteries into data centers.
Advantages of DC grids in data centers
Higher energy efficiency due to reduced conversion losses
Better integration of renewable energies and storage systems
Reduced carbon emissions and operating costs
Less heat generation due to more efficient power distribution
Greater independence from the public grid
Free webinar
DC grids: From concept to reality
DC grids in factories are already a reality. In this webinar, you will learn from practical examples how DC technology increases sustainability in industry. In addition to the basics of DC grids, you will gain an in-depth insight into the technical implementation of such a grid.
