ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, and Green, one of the top information and communications technology service providers in Switzerland, have announced the official opening of Green's new Zurich-West data centre expansion based on direct current technology.

Green's facility, which employs HVDC-capable HP servers, is the most powerful application of DC in a data centre to date. Performance tests showed that Green's new power distribution system is 10% more efficient than for comparable alternating current (AC) technology. In addition, investment costs for the system were 15%  lower than for an AC system.

With the addition of almost six million new servers every year, data center energy demand is increasing at a rate of more than 10% annually, requiring more efficient and reliable solutions. DC systems are less complex than AC systems, making fewer power conversions. This requires as much as 25%  less space, and reduces equipment, installation, and real estate and maintenance costs. 

"The implementation of 380 volt DC technology in our data center is part of our long-term energy optimization strategy, a big step that has set a new standard in the industry," said Franz Grueter, CEO of Green. "When fully loaded, the system will result in energy savings of up to 20% in power consumption from grid to chip and in cooling."

ABB installed the one megawatt DC power distribution solution for the 1,100 m2 expansion of the 3,300 m2 Zurich-West data center. It was engineered to Green's strict ecological standards by ABB with support from Validus DC Systems, an ABB company, and includes a service level agreement.