The rapid proliferation of data centers and renewable energy infrastructure comes with extraordinary demands for power – demands which have rapidly outpaced the capabilities of traditional alternating current (AC) delivery models.
As power distribution equipment, energy storage systems, photovoltaics and on-site power generation technologies scale up to meet rising energy demands, legacy AC infrastructure often requires that power converts back and forth between AC and direct current (DC) before it is used. With every conversion, energy is wasted, performance drops and costs rise. DC systems offer a viable path forward by providing improved efficiency, native technology compatibility, and improved grid stability and control.
Low- and medium-voltage direct current (LVDC and MVDC) distribution is proving to be a valuable solution for data center and renewable energy demands. For example, many data centers are advancing toward 800V DC architectures, with even higher voltages planned in the future. Other applications, such as photovoltaics and energy storage, are similarly shifting toward higher-voltage systems. These emerging DC systems and technologies may introduce significant arc-flash risks, necessitating the urgent evaluation and management of incident energy levels.
Today, no standardized method exists to evaluate incident energy in DC systems, limiting hazard assessment capabilities while potentially increasing exposure risk for workers. A science-based solution is essential for the future of safer, more efficient and more sustainable energy infrastructure.
Direct Current Safety Research Consortium objectives
The Direct Current Safety Research Consortium (DCSRC) aims to bring together a diverse group of leading manufacturers, academia, research bodies, standards development organizations and safety regulators to pioneer the next generation of safety guidance for DC systems. We will move beyond ad hoc research toward proven data-driven physics models that will inform a consistent, reliable approach to develop the critical safety practices to help protect people and property.
The DCSRC will utilize the following efforts to achieve this goal:
Equation development and modeling
Build a theoretical foundation to guide the design of the test plan, working from physical first principles.
Incident energy test capability
Leverage physical testing capability to conduct defined experimental testing and determine incident energy as a function of several variables.
Short-circuit current testing
Gain a more cohesive understanding of the behavior of various DC sources, potentially including energy storage systems, such as batteries. In DC systems, power is likely supplied from various source types and will often have limited or variable short-circuit current detection capability, necessitating this information.
DCSRC membership benefits
Consortium members will have access to varying levels of experimental data and regular status updates from the DCSRC technical team. This may include rights to intellectual property developed by the consortium. Members will have the opportunity to provide feedback to the technical team and help guide the experimental plan as work progresses. Data access will be based on membership level.
Consortium membership
To inquire about DCSRC membership, please complete the form below.
Featured resource
Power Distribution and Data Centers White Paper
As data centers move to significantly higher power and new DC architectures, this necessitates reevaluating past practices and acknowledging increased hazards and safety concerns. Download our white paper to learn foundational concepts and safety considerations regarding the evolution to higher power and new DC architectures.
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