International Standardization of “Specification of DC power feeding system Interface”

1.Background, etc.

  The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has actively promoted “Green of ICT” and “Green by ICT” with a view to solving environmental problems by the use and utilization of ICT. The “specification of DC power feeding system interface” which includes the results of the demonstration experiments conducted by the MIC as an effort for Green of ICT was approved as ITU-T Recommendation L.1200 on May 29, 2012, and it was officially announced on June 22, 2012.
 

2.Outline of recommendation

  This recommendation prescribes interfaces such as voltage required when the traditional AC feeding system is switched over to the high-voltage DC feeding system and a grounding method for safely operation of this system, as this high-voltage DC feeding system is effective as a means for reducing the power consumption of buildings and data centers of telecommunications carriers.
  In general, electricity is supplied on AC from electric power companies. However, as the inside of batteries and ICT equipment operates on DC, it is necessary to convert from AC to DC and from DC to AC. The power consumption can be reduced by cutting loss of conversion.
  The MIC conducted the demonstration experiments focusing on measures for energy saving and resource saving by high-voltage DC feeding and verified its effectiveness with a view to reducing the power consumption in buildings and data centers of telecommunications carriers. A proposal including their results made by Japan is reflected in the recommendation.
 

3.Future plans

  In addition to this recommendation, the ITU-T SG5 WP3 (ICTs and Climate Change) examines the reduction of environmental load by the use and utilization of ICT. Japan will actively contribute to international standardization in this field.