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EnergyTech 2012 Adopting DC Power
Emmett RomineManager, Energy Optimization
Why is DTE Energy interested in DC options?
• Key participation in Emerge Alliance is focused on opportunities for energy efficiency in alternative building power configurations
• Options for building controls and continuous commissioning – combining energy savings with other benefits makes cost effectiveness for the customer
• Longer term benefits of Solar integration with building systems
DTE is exploring as a demonstration
through the Armstrong DC Flexzone Grid product
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EMerge Alliance® System
24VDC – Class 2 Wiring – Energized Ceiling
DC FlexZone Grid - Infrastructure
Safe, Low Voltage DC
• The Grid is wired up but not every device
• The Main Beams carry safe, low voltage DC power to a series of Electrical Loads such as light fixtures making power available throughout the Ceiling Plane
• Unlike the traditional way, conduit wiring must carry High Voltage AC to each and every device through hard wiring
Higher Voltage AC
Enabling Plug & Play for Devices
Just plug in!
• Electrical devices like light fixtures just plug into the grid, rather than using high voltage AC conduit.
• It’s safe NEC Class 2 power, anyone can do it. It makes it easier for maintenance to do moves, adds, and changes.
DC FlexZone Grid – Plug and Play
• Nextek’s Power Server Module provides safe low voltage DC to the ceiling grid
• TE Connectivity provides Connectors and Cablings to the EMerge Ceiling system
DC FlexZone Grid – Power Distribution
• Flexibility– Faster moves, adds, changes– No rewiring – Future-proof for new technologies
like LEDs
• Sustainability– Reduce -- Simpler devices, less AC-
DC conversions– Re-use -- Plug & play modularity– Recycle – High recycled content
ceiling grid– Renew – Connect to alternative
energy (like solar & wind)
• Safety– Touch safe 24vDC– No need to run line AC voltages to
fixtures and devices
DC FlexZone Grid – Benefits
Codes and standards impacts on DC
• NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) sets the tone for codes –They are the backbone of the electric code generation with highly acceptable
standards and codes that are used universally. –NFPA works closely with ANSI and Professional Engineers in development of new
codes.
• Seek a Specialty License for low voltage. –Currently all wiring in MI is governed by our licensing law whether it's AC or DC. A
specialty license can single out a segment of this work for specialized training and licensor.
–Some states (not MI) already have a low voltage specialty license.
• Work closely with industry to build a business case.
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Perspectives on SunShot PV initiative
• Currently large projects are at about $3.00/watt all in
• Panel prices have now dropped below $1.00, but balance of system (BOS) is at $1.00-1.50
• Achieving $1.00 (all in) or lower may be difficult to achieve in the short term
• If classical learning curves apply (i.e. Moore’s Law, Haitz’s Law), the timing may be realized by the end of the decade
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THANK YOU!Emmett Romine
Manger, Energy [email protected]
www.dteenergy.com/saveenergy
eromine DTE_Energy
eromine dteenergy
DTEEnergyCompany
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