What I liked about the Validus solution is that it delivers 48V to the rack providing low voltage, safe working conditions for operators and the higher voltage stuff stays in a cabinet restricted to the DC engineers. The significant thing is that it works today, now with kit that we can all buy today.

The industry has been talking high voltage DC forever but where are the standards? When do we see the equipment? It ain't happening soon as far as I can see and we have businesses to run and costs to cut as well as a planet to save.

IT seems to me that this is a really hot area and I would like to talk more – perhaps schedule an interview for The Hot Aisle of you are up for it?

Steve (currently on the East Coast USA)

We take issue with the Validus 575V choice, as this is optimal only from a distribution point of view, not a power conversion and use point of view. Other voltage levels are available, such as 380V, that are much closer to widespread industry acceptance in the Server Power Supply. Most importantly, unless the voltage level is kept as an open standard (i.e., limited IP protection), widespread adoption will not happen. Additionally, 48V distributed systems, on the 100-200kW range, are unique solutions that can provide ‘power-to-the-row.’ These are available today, IT equipment of all varieties exist, and the technology has been proven, as you correctly point out, in the Telecom industry.