A Comparison of AC and DC Power Distribution in the Data Center Outline

Course Description
The quest for improved efficiency of data centers has encouraged a climate of innovation in data
center power and cooling technologies. In the early 1990s, manufacturers and engineers have
suggested a conversion of the data center power architecture to DC from the existing AC. Despite
a predicted a widespread adoption of a DC standard for data center power and evidence that a
change to DC distribution is advantageous, the usage of DC relative to AC has declined.

Recently, new proposals have been made based on high voltage DC distribution. These methods
overcome some of the earlier problems with DC power. However, The latest high efficiency AC and
DC power distribution architectures are shown to have virtually the same efficiency, suggesting that
a move to a DC-based architecture is unwarranted on the basis of efficiency.

Course Outline
Learning Objectives
At the completion of this course, you will be able to:
 Identify the high efficiency power distribution options for AC and DC distribution systems
 Explain the considerations for comparing distribution systems including
 Cost
 Compatibility
 Reliability
 Efficiency
 Use an AC vs. DC data center efficiency calculator
 Recognize issues with past studies of AC and DC efficiency

Agenda
 Introduction
 Background of AC vs. DC power distribution systems
 The two high efficiency power distribution systems for AC and DC
 Considerations for comparing power distribution systems
 Cost
 Compatibility
 Reliability
 Efficiency
 Issues with previous findings
 Summary

Course Content or Material

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1) Introduction
a. Methods of power distribution
b. Impact on total electrical power consumption
2) Background
a. Historically observed inefficiencies
b. Recent advances
c. DC distribution
i. Three Premises
ii. Revelations
3) The Two High Efficiency Power Distribution Options
a. 400 / 230 V AC distribution system
b. 380 V DC distribution system
4) Considerations for Comparing Distribution Systems
a. Cost analysis
i. Engineering and wiring distribution costs
ii. Servers and storage
iii. Distributing wiring to IT equipment
b. Compatibility analysis
i. IT equipment
ii. Cooling equipment
c. Reliability analysis
i. Architecture
 UPS modules connected to a parallel array of battery strings
d. Efficiency analysis
i. Preview of the Analysis
 The three power path segments
 Efficiency data for the model
 Baseline operating load for the model
ii. The Efficiency of the UPS
 AC UPS efficiency value
 DC UPS efficiency value
iii. Efficiency of the Distribution Wiring
 Electrical loss estimation
 Results of analysis
iv. Efficiency of the IT Power Supply
 AC IT power supply
 DC IT power supply
v. Overall Power Path Efficiency Comparison
 UPS, distribution wiring and IT power supply
vi. Overall Data Center Power Consumption Impact

©2013 Schneider Electric. All rights reserved. All trademarks provided are the property of their respective owners.
  Computing the reduction in electrical consumption
vii. Efficiency Calculator
viii. Special Consideration for North America
 Lower power distribution efficiency
(a) Modifications
ix. Effect of IT Load Variation on Efficiency
 AC vs. DC at different IT operating loads
5) Confidence in Findings
a. Three key values
i. AC UPS systems
ii. DC UPS systems
iii. IT power supply
6) Issues with previous studies
7) Conclusion

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©2013 Schneider Electric. All rights reserved. All trademarks provided are the property of their respective owners.