New High Voltage Direct Current Feed System Achieves Top Power Conversion Efficiency

Japan Radio Co., a manufacturer of data and telecommunications equipment, started on January 11, 2011, to take orders for its new high voltage direct current feed system, which is designed to meet the needs of next-generation data centers for the age of cloud computing.

Conventional feed systems have shortcomings, like the heat dissipation associated with electricity loss caused by repeated power conversions from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) and vice versa, plus expensive operating and initial costs. The new feed system is able to achieve a superior power conversion efficiency of 95% by feeding DC directly to servers and other IT equipment just after the conversion from AC to DC. This enables users to reduce total costs, including electricity bills and facility costs. The system is capable of feeding up to 200 kilowatts.

Furthermore, the system was designed with safety in mind, being free from both human hazards and electric arcing when a current is interrupted, both which have so far been major issues in high voltage direct current feeding systems. It also has surveillance and alarm functions that make the system fail-safe even in the event of trouble, and ensure stable operation.

The company named the system FRESH HVDC, an acronym based on the first letter of each of these words that represent features of the system: Flexibility, Reliability, Ecology/Economy, Safety, High-availability, and High Voltage Direct Current.

Posted: 2011/07/21 06:00:15 AM