Presented by Acuity Brands

4:30pm-5:30pm
Intermediate
CEU Credit Available.

SPEAKER
Mike Montgomery, Vice President, Applied Technology Sales, Acuity Brands

Our built environment relies on the quality of energy available to power it. Nationwide investments in grid modernization and resiliency are driving electrification, converting buildings to more carbon-friendly electric systems, and facilitating installation of renewable energy sources at the building level. With this, Direct Current (DC) power is key to easily connecting our buildings to renewable resources and energy storage batteries. Our built environment is almost exclusively powered by Alternating Current (AC). However, from renewables and electric vehicles to mobile devices and IT networks, the use of DC power is already widespread and growing. Converting AC to DC power results in efficiency losses of up to 10%, and every power conversion represents not only additional material costs, but a potential failure point for the connected devices and systems. This course will look at both the history of AC and DC power generation and usage in buildings, and the role of DC powered light.

Why this topic is of interest
Sustainability is top of mind for designs today and DC powered systems offer an efficient and effective way to save energy. We are at the early onset of these systems for lighting and lighting control and this presentation will help provide the lexicon and foundation to build upon.

Key Takeaways

• Discuss the historical development of AC vs DC power standards and how the adoption of LED lighting has created the potential for a dramatic shift back to DC power for distribution.
• Identify the reasons that DC-to-DC powered lighting can both lower the installed cost of luminaires and controls and increase the reliability of lighting systems.
• Examine the value proposition of DC-to-DC powered lighting systems in terms of well-being applications and sustainability, including on-site DC microgrids.