Power Distribution

The Power Distribution Sub-Project of the OCP Data Center Facility Project aims to increase power density and enable next-generation compute by moving data center infrastructure to Low Voltage Direct Current (LVDC, ≤1500VDC) distribution. The work focuses on reducing conversion losses, improving reliability, and supporting future scalability, integrating direct current from medium-voltage conversion through LVDC distribution while meeting safety and operational standards. Its scope includes LVDC evolution and best practices, alignment with industry alliances, transition timelines, energy storage systems, DC rack power architecture, and protection interfaces. MVDC architectures and in-rack components are out of scope.

Power Distribution

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Steering Committee Representative

Madhusudan Iyengar

Project Leads

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About This Sub-Project

The aim of this Sub-Project is to increase power density and enable next generation compute. By enhancing energy efficiency and streamlining power distribution, we will transition our data center infrastructure to Low Voltage Direct Current — LVDC (≤1500VDC) distribution architecture. This subproject will focus on reducing conversion losses, improving reliability, and supporting future scalability. The workstream will focus on integrating direct current from Medium Voltage — MV conversion to LVDC distribution, enabling interoperability and ensuring compliance with safety and operational standards. Success of this sub-project will be measured by defining: power densities significant enough to meet compute demands, reduced downtime, highest levels of operational safety, and alignment with OCP’s sustainability goals.

System Architecture

  • Grid Topologies
  • Redundancy Levels

Voltage Levels and Power Quality

  • Nominal Voltages and Voltage Bands
  • Ripple, Tolerance, and Stability

Polarities & System Earthing

  • Polarities / Earthing systems
  • Galvanic Isolation
  • Corrosion Prevention

Protection and Safety

  • Short-Circuit, Overload, Electric Shock
  • Arc-Fault Protection
  • Selectivity and Fault Isolation

Main Components (high level requirements)

  • Supply (Rectifiers, AICs, SSTs)
  • Distribution (Switchgears & switchboards)
  • Protection (Overcurrent protection devices)
  • Loads (server racks) *
  • Energy Storage Systems **

Codes and Standards

  • Status quo & Gap analysis
  • Proposed gap filling actions

Control & Operation

  • Sequence of Operation (SOO)
  • Control Requirements Surrounding SOO

EMC

  • EMC Applicability at product and system level
  • Emissions, Immunity, Ripple Voltage and Harmonics Criteria
  • Cable Shielding & Filtering

Joint Workstream
DCF PD + R&P

Initial Work Products

  • White paper with narrative for direct current adoption, pros and cons of different options, high-level architectures and requirements for system components (Target Release: 2026 Q1)
  • Detailed specs of system components will need to be addressed in separate workstreams
  • Recommended Reference LVDC System Architecture

Scope

In scope:

  • LVDC Distribution Evolution : evolution to LVDC distribution inside the data center, including backward compatibility and future scalability
  • Best Practices : collection of best practices for design, build, and operation of LVDC systems
  • Industry Alignment : connection with industry alliances and standards bodies regarding direct current efforts
  • Transition Timeline : estimate timeline for transition to LVDC
  • Energy Storage Systems (ESS)
  • DC Rack Power Architecture
  • Protection Interface : hot-swap, startup sequence
  • Energy Storage Strategy : and hold-up requirements

Out of Scope

  • MVDC Architectures : >1500VDC
  • In-Rack Components : system interface will be coordinated with OCP Rack & Power Project

Resources

Welcome to the OCP DCF – Power Distribution Sub-Project. This Sub-Project is open to the public and we welcome all those who would like to be involved. Disclaimer: Please do not submit any confidential information to the Project Community. All presentation materials, proposals, meeting minutes and/or supporting documents are published by OCP and are open to the public in accordance to OCP’s Bylaws and IP Policy. This can be found on the OCP Policies page. If you have any questions please contact OCP.

White paper

Past Calls Recordings

Slides & Documents

Power Distribution calendar

Related Details

Contributions

All project contributions

Sub-Projects

Codes and Standards

Codes and Standards is a workstream under the Power Distribution Sub-Project of the OCP Data Center Facility Project. The Power Distribution Sub-Project aims to increase power density and enable next-generation compute by transitioning data center infrastructure to a Low Voltage Direct Current (LVDC, ≤1500VDC) distribution architecture that reduces conversion losses, improves reliability, and supports future scalability. Details about the workstream's mission, leadership, and ways to get involved will be added in the near future.

Main Components

Main Components is a workstream under the Power Distribution Sub-Project of the OCP Data Center Facility Project. The Power Distribution Sub-Project aims to increase power density and enable next-generation compute by transitioning data center infrastructure to a Low Voltage Direct Current (LVDC, ≤1500VDC) distribution architecture that reduces conversion losses, improves reliability, and supports future scalability. Details about the workstream’s mission, leadership, and ways to get involved will be added in the near future.

Polarities & System Earthing

Polarities & System Earthing is a workstream under the Power Distribution Sub-Project of the OCP Data Center Facility Project. The Power Distribution Sub-Project aims to increase power density and enable next-generation compute by transitioning data center infrastructure to a Low Voltage Direct Current (LVDC, ≤1500VDC) distribution architecture that reduces conversion losses, improves reliability, and supports future scalability. Details about the workstream's mission, leadership, and ways to get involved will be added in the near future.

Protection and Safety

Protection and Safety is a workstream under the Power Distribution Sub-Project of the OCP Data Center Facility Project. The Power Distribution Sub-Project aims to increase power density and enable next-generation compute by transitioning data center infrastructure to a Low Voltage Direct Current (LVDC, ≤1500VDC) distribution architecture that reduces conversion losses, improves reliability, and supports future scalability. Details about the workstream's mission, leadership, and ways to get involved will be added in the near future.

Rack & Power

Rack & Power is a workstream under the Power Distribution Sub-Project of the OCP Data Center Facility Project. The Power Distribution Sub-Project aims to increase power density and enable next-generation compute by transitioning data center infrastructure to a Low Voltage Direct Current (LVDC, ≤1500VDC) distribution architecture that reduces conversion losses, improves reliability, and supports future scalability. Details about the workstream's mission, leadership, and ways to get involved will be added in the near future.

Solid State Transformer

Solid State Transformer is a workstream under the Power Distribution Sub-Project of the OCP Data Center Facility Project. The Power Distribution Sub-Project aims to increase power density and enable next-generation compute by transitioning data center infrastructure to a Low Voltage Direct Current (LVDC, ≤1500VDC) distribution architecture that reduces conversion losses, improves reliability, and supports future scalability. Details about the workstream's mission, leadership, and ways to get involved will be added in the near future.

System Architecture

System Architecture is a workstream under the Power Distribution Sub-Project of the OCP Data Center Facility Project. The Power Distribution Sub-Project aims to increase power density and enable next-generation compute by transitioning data center infrastructure to a Low Voltage Direct Current (LVDC, ≤1500VDC) distribution architecture that reduces conversion losses, improves reliability, and supports future scalability. Details about the workstream's mission, leadership, and ways to get involved will be added in the near future.

Voltage Levels and Power Quality

Voltage Levels and Power Quality is a workstream under the Power Distribution Sub-Project of the OCP Data Center Facility Project. The Power Distribution Sub-Project aims to increase power density and enable next-generation compute by transitioning data center infrastructure to a Low Voltage Direct Current (LVDC, ≤1500VDC) distribution architecture that reduces conversion losses, improves reliability, and supports future scalability. Details about the workstream's mission, leadership, and ways to get involved will be added in the near future.