Public electric utilities deliver alternating current (AC) power exclusively. However, electronics, LED lighting, and certain other common devices operate on direct current (DC) power. These devices must convert power from AC to DC and step down voltage to the needed level. Unfortunately, the conversion from AC to DC is often inefficient and results in a loss of power. When using renewable wind or PV energy, additional AC/DC transformations are needed, causing more loss. Added together over many AC/DC conversions and voltage changes, total power losses can surpass 20% in some systems.
A growing number of DC power technologies minimize AC/DC conversions and reduce the associated losses. Building managers who installed IP phone systems are expanding their use of power over Ethernet (PoE) to include devices for security, point of access, and wireless networking. Major PoE providers are moving to implement PoE for lighting, monitors, and televisions, and other electronic devices. Bolstered by the standardization efforts of industry groups and growing success at data centers, non-PoE DC technologies are entering into a period of more rapid commercialization and development. Navigant Research forecasts that the global market value for DC power building technologies will grow from $609.1 million in 2013 to $9.7 billion in 2020.
This Navigant Research report analyzes the global market opportunity for DC power technologies in commercial buildings. Five technology categories are covered: DC building power supply equipment, DC building controls and functionality, DC lighting, DC plug loads, and DC building microgrid infrastructure. The report provides a comprehensive assessment of the demand drivers and barriers, trends, and technology issues associated with worldwide DC power systems. Global market forecasts, segmented by technology, region, and commercial building type, extend through 2020. The study also examines the standards and regulations related to DC power distribution systems and provides in-depth profiles of key industry players.
Key Questions Addressed:
- How rapidly will DC power technologies for commercial buildings develop through 2020?
- Which technology categories will commercialize first and when will commercialization occur?
- How important is power over Ethernet (PoE) to near-term development of the market?
- What factors are influencing the global DC power technologies markets for commercial buildings?
- What are the reasonable expected growth rates and market valuations through 2020 for each of the DC power technologies considered?
Who needs this report?
- DC building equipment manufacturers
- AC building equipment manufacturers
- Building equipment vendors
- Building owners and managers
- Utilities
- Government agencies
- Investor community
Table of Contents
1. Executive Summary
1.1 Overview
1.2 DC Power Technologies
1.3 Market Trends
1.4 Market Forecasts
2. Market Issues
2.1 Introduction
2.1.1 AC and DC Power: A History
2.1.2 DC or AC Power: Does it Matter?
2.2 Building Power Systems
2.3 High-Voltage DC, Low-Voltage DC, and Mid-Voltage DC
2.4 Hybrid AC/DC Systems
2.5 DC Power for Data Centers
2.6 DC Building Market Points of Entry
2.7 Market Drivers
2.7.1 Push for Energy Efficiency
2.7.2 Proliferation of PoE
2.7.3 Green Buildings, Net Zero Energy Buildings
2.7.4 Green Corporations
2.7.5 Rise of DC Lighting
2.7.6 Renewable Energy Integration
2.8 Market Barriers
2.8.1 Low Natural Gas Prices Affect Demand for Renewable Energy and Efficiency Products
2.8.2 Strong Market Inertia for AC Power
2.9 Regional Trends in Drivers and Barriers
3. Technology Issues
3.1 Introduction
3.1.1 DC Power Pros and Cons
3.1.1.1 Energy Efficiency and Conversion between AC and DC
3.1.1.2 Advantages of DC Distribution
3.1.1.3 Safety Benefits
3.1.1.4 Synchronization
3.1.2 Disadvantages and Limitations of DC Power
3.1.2.1 Potential Safety Concerns
3.1.2.2 Limited Availability of DC Devices
3.1.2.3 Need for Standardization among Devices
3.2 Standards and Regulations on DC Power Distribution Systems in Buildings
3.2.1 Occupied Space Standard
3.2.2 PoE Standards
3.2.3 Safety Standards and Codes
3.3 DC Power Technologies for Buildings
3.3.1 DC Building Power Supply Equipment
3.3.2 DC Building Controls and Functionality
3.3.3 DC Lighting
3.3.4 DC Plug Loads
3.3.5 DC Building Microgrid Infrastructure
3.4 Sample Projects
3.4.1 PNC Financial Services
3.4.2 University of California – San Diego Sustainability Resource Center
4. Key Industry Players
4.1 Market Initiators and Major Product Developers
4.1.1 ABB Ltd.
4.1.2 Armstrong Industries
4.1.3 Cisco Systems, Inc.
4.1.4 Johnson Controls, Inc.
4.1.5 Nextek Power Systems, Inc.
4.1.6 Osram Sylvania
4.1.7 Philips Lighting
4.1.8 Siemens
4.1.9 ZBB Energy
4.2 Other Industry Participants
4.2.1 Bosch Group
4.2.2 Eaton Corporation
4.2.3 Focal Point
4.2.4 Microsemi Corporation
4.2.5 Netpower Labs
4.2.6 Universal Electric
5. Market Forecasts
5.1 Market Assumptions
5.1.1 Note on PoE Technologies
5.2 Global Forecast by Region
5.3 Global Forecast by Technology
5.3.1 DC Building Power Supply Equipment
5.3.2 DC Building Controls and Functionality
5.3.3 DC Lighting
5.3.4 DC Plug Loads
5.3.5 DC Building Microgrid Infrastructure
5.4 Conclusions and Recommendations
6. Company Directory
7. Acronym and Abbreviation List
8. Table of Contents
9. Table of Charts and Figures
10. Scope of Study, Sources and Methodology, Notes
List of Charts and Figures
- Percentage of Corporate and Institutional Respondents with an Internal or Public Energy Reduction Goal, Select World Markets: 2011-2013
- Corporate Involvement in Green Building Projects by Level, Select World Markets: 2009, 2012, 2015
- All DC Building Technologies Revenue by Region, World Markets: 2013-2020
- All DC Building Technologies Revenue by Technology, World Markets: 2013-2020
- Market Share of All DC Building Technologies by Building Type, World Markets: 2013
- Market Share of All DC Building Technologies by Building Type, World Markets: 2020
- DC Building Power Supply Equipment Revenue by Region, World Markets: 2013-2020
- DC Building Controls and Functionality Revenue by Region, World Markets: 2013-2020
- DC Lighting Revenue by Region, World Markets: 2013-2020
- DC Plug Loads Revenue by Region, World Markets: 2013-2020
- DC Building Microgrid Infrastructure Revenue by Region, World Markets: 2013-2020
- DC Building Power Supply Equipment by Region, PoE versus Non-PoE, World Markets: 2013
- DC Building Controls and Functionality by Region, PoE versus Non-PoE, World Markets: 2013
- DC Lighting by Region, PoE versus Non-PoE, World Markets: 2013
- DC Plug Loads by Region, PoE versus Non-PoE, World Markets: 2013
- Illustration of DC and AC Power Conveyance along a Wire
- DC Lighting Deployed by Redwood Systems for Facebook Data Center
- PoE Schematic
- Fire Damage to Solar Panels Resulting from a DC Arc Fault
- EMerge Alliance Occupied Space Power Distribution Overview
- Non-PoE DC Power Deployment in Buildings with Solar Integration
- Nextek Power Systems MPPT DC-DC Converter
- Netpower Labs’ DC UPS
- Bosch 60W AC-in Midspan for PoE
- Sargent PoE Cylindrical Lock; Cisco PVC2300 PoE Business Internet Video Camera
- Cisco WAP4410N Wireless-N Access Point, PoE
- Delta Controls DVC-V322-PoE HVAC Advanced Application Controller
- Lighting as Largest Load within Commercial Buildings
- Optimizing Plug Loads in Commercial Buildings
- NewerTech Power2U AC/USB Wall Outlet
- USB PD Profiles Capabilities
- Example DC Microgrid Schematic
- PNC Net Zero Energy Building Schematic
- University of California Sustainability Resource Center
- Cisco Catalyst 4500E 48-Port UPOE
- Nextek Power’s Direct Coupling DC Topology
- Osram RLC22 LED 2X2 Luminaire
- Philips Lighting Calculite CFL 6-Inch DC Triple Tube Frame-In Kit
- Siemens SITOP DC UPS with Capacitors (left) and with Battery Modules (right)
- ZBB EnerSystem
- Focal Point Verve IV Suspended Linear Luminaire
List of Tables
- Current and Near-Term Importance of Market Drivers and Barriers by Region
- Standard PoE Parameters Compared
- ABB SWOT Analysis
- Armstrong Industries SWOT Analysis
- Cisco Systems, Inc. SWOT Analysis
- Johnson Controls, Inc. SWOT Analysis
- Nextek Power Systems SWOT Analysis
- Osram Sylvania SWOT Analysis
- Philips Lighting SWOT Analysis
- Siemens SWOT Analysis
- ZBB Energy SWOT Analysis
- Percentage of Corporate and Institutional Respondents with an Internal or Public Energy Reduction Goal, Select World Markets: 2011-2013
- Corporate Involvement in Green Building Projects by Level, Select World Markets: 2009, 2012, 2015
- DC Building Power Supply Equipment Revenue by Region, World Markets: 2013-2020
- DC Building Power Supply Equipment Revenue by Region and Building Type, World Markets: 2013-2020
- DC Building Power Supply Equipment Revenue by Building Type, World Markets: 2013-2020
- Annual Incremental Building Area Served by DC Building Power Supply Equipment by Region, World Markets: 2013-2020
- DC Building Controls and Functionality Revenue by Region, World Markets: 2013-2020
- DC Building Controls and Functionality Revenue by Region and Building Type, World Markets: 2013-2020
- DC Building Controls and Functionality Revenue by Building Type, World Markets: 2013-2020
- Annual Incremental Building Area Served by DC Building Controls and Functionality by Region, World Markets: 2013-2020
- DC Lighting Revenue by Region, World Markets: 2013-2020
- DC Lighting Revenue by Region and Building Type, World Markets: 2013-2020
- DC Lighting Revenue by Building Type, World Markets: 2013-2020
- Annual Incremental Building Area Served by DC Lighting by Region, World Markets: 2013-2020
- DC Plug Loads Revenue by Region, World Markets: 2013-2020
- DC Plug Loads Revenue by Region and Building Type, World Markets: 2013-2020
- DC Plug Loads Revenue by Building Type, World Markets: 2013-2020
- Annual Incremental Building Area Served by DC Plug Loads by Region, World Markets: 2013-2020
- DC Building Microgrid Infrastructure Revenue by Region, World Markets: 2013-2020
- DC Building Microgrid Infrastructure Revenue by Region and Building Type, World Markets: 2013-2020
- DC Building Microgrid Infrastructure Revenue by Building Type, World Markets: 2013-2020
- Annual Incremental Building Area Served by DC Building Microgrid Infrastructure by Region, World Markets: 2013-2020
- All DC Building Technologies Revenue by Region, World Markets: 2013-2020
- All DC Building Technologies Revenue by Region and Building Type, World Markets: 2013-2020
- All DC Building Technologies Revenue by Technology, World Markets: 2013-2020
- All DC Building Technologies Revenue by Technology and Building Type, World Markets: 2013-2020
- DC Building Power Supply Equipment by Region, PoE versus Non-PoE, World Markets: 2013
- DC Building Controls and Functionality by Region, PoE versus Non-PoE, World Markets: 2013
- DC Lighting by Region, PoE versus Non-PoE, World Markets: 2013
- DC Plug Loads by Region, PoE versus Non-PoE, World Markets: 2013