Why do we need to eliminate voltage steps?

Eliminating voltage conversion steps refers to minimizing or removing the need to convert electric
power from one voltage level to another within the power distribution system of a data center.

In traditional power distribution systems, electricity is generated at a certain voltage level (often high
voltage) and then stepped down to lower voltages as it travels through the power grid to reach buildings
and facilities, including data centers. Within the data center itself, there are additional voltage
conversions to deliver the appropriate voltage levels to different equipment and devices, such as
servers, networking equipment, and cooling systems.

Each voltage conversion step incurs energy losses due to inefficiencies in the conversion process. These
losses result in wasted energy, which can add up and reduce the overall energy efficiency of the data
center.

To eliminate voltage conversion steps in the context of improving the power supply chain in a data
center, the idea is to design the power distribution system in such a way that the electricity is delivered
directly at the required voltage level without the need for intermediate conversions. This can be
achieved through various means, including:

Utilizing High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC): HVDC is a technology that allows electricity to be
transmitted over long distances with lower losses compared to traditional alternating current (AC)
transmission. HVDC can be used to directly deliver power to the data center, bypassing some of the
intermediate voltage conversions.

Using Direct Current (DC) Distribution: Many electronic devices, such as servers and storage systems,
operate on DC internally. By adopting DC distribution within the data center and delivering power
directly to these devices without the need for AC-DC conversions, energy losses can be minimized.

Implementing Efficient Power Conversion Technologies: When voltage conversions are unavoidable,
choosing high-efficiency power converters can reduce the losses associated with the conversion process.
By eliminating or reducing the number of voltage conversion steps, data centers can improve energy
efficiency, reduce electricity consumption, and lower operational costs. It is one of the ways to make
data centers more environmentally friendly and sustainable, aligning with the industry's efforts to
improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.