EMerge Alliance forms new Campus Microgrid Technical Standards Committee

The EMerge Alliance – an open industry association leading the rapid adoption of safe direct-current (DC) power distribution standards for commercial buildings – today announced the formation of a new Campus Microgrid Technical Standards Committee at the American Institute of Architects (AIA) 2012 National Convention and Design Exposition.

Chaired by Guy AlLee, of Intel’s Energy Research and Sustainability Labs, the new committee will focus on establishing a standard for the integration of DC microgrids throughout a building or campus. The standard will focus on improved efficiency of integrated on-site power generation, storage, distribution and use by capitalizing on the utilization of native DC power. With input from member organizations, the new Campus Microgrid standard will integrate the other EMerge Alliance standards that enable the use of DC power at various levels and in a variety of spaces. The resulting set of standards will further advance the Alliance’s mission to help building designers and owners achieve greater flexibility, sustainability and savings.

According to EMerge Alliance Chairman Brian Patterson, the Alliance has been working toward a vision of DC microgrids in four key areas – occupied spaces, data and telecommunications centers, building services and outdoor applications – since the organization was founded in 2008.

The Campus Microgrid Technical Standards Committee is open to all Alliance members at the Governing and Participating levels, and will include consideration of power, infrastructure, peripheral device and control applications required to operate a building using DC power. The group is inviting other innovative organizations in the commercial building industry to join and contribute to this groundbreaking standards development effort. +

The editors of Building Design+Construction present 10 “Great Solutions” that highlight innovative technology and products that can be used to address some of the many problems Building Teams face in their day-to-day work. Readers are encouraged to submit entries for Great Solutions; if we use yours, you’ll receive a $25 gift certificate. Look for more Great Solutions in 2012 at: www.bdcnetwork.com/greatsolutions/2012.

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