[May 28, 2012] EMerge Alliance Unveils New Campus Microgrid Technical Standards Committee [Professional Services Close - Up] Tweet (Professional Services Close - Up Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) The EMerge Alliance, an open industry association focusing on the rapid adoption of safe direct-current (DC) power distribution standards for commercial buildings, 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. In a release, the company noted that 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. "To better facilitate the creation of net-zero energy buildings, the Alliance has issued a 'call-to-action' to its members and others to join in the development of this important new DC microgrid standard," said AlLee. "An essential part of this process is connecting the dots to ensure that the individual microgrids within a campus or building can connect seamlessly with each other, with on- site generation and storage, and with the utility macrogrid, thus creating an integrated power system that maximizes the efficiency gained from the direct use of native DC power." 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. More Information: http://www.EMergeAlliance.org ((Comments on this story may be sent to [email protected])) (c) 2012 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]