High-voltage DC distribution is key to increased system efficiency and renewable-energy opportunities

The pressure throughout the energy supply chain to deliver electrical power more efficiently is intense and growing. Most dramatically, the European Union’s response to the Copenhagen Accord puts forth a "20-20-20" Energy Strategy, with goals of a 20% reduction in energy consumption, a 20% reduction in greenhouse gases, and 20% reliance on power from renewable resources by 2020. These ambitious objectives are in place despite the enormous growth in major power consumers such as data centers ("server farms") as voice, data, and networks converge and merge, while user demands increase in the range of 5-10% annually.