DC Grid has off-grid power solution for data centers and EV charging hubs
The power demands of data centers and EV charging are demanding new products to not just meet the power needs, but to overcome interconnection delays and avoid service upgrades. Such interconnection delays are often measured in years, not months.
Cleantech innovator Vic Shao thinks he has a solution to bypass the bottleneck. “Today’s transmission and distribution roadblocks threaten the progress of many energy-intensive industries, especially data centers and EV charging hubs,” Shao said
Informed by his previous ventures in charging and storage, such as Green Charge Networks (acquired by ENGIE) and Amply Power (acquired by bp), Shao launched DC Grid at the end of 2024.
DC Grid is an energy agnostic, modular off-grid product that eliminates the reliance on AC transformers and switchgear. “By providing off-grid modular solutions, DC Grid will enable access to reliable energy in weeks or months, instead of years,” Shao says.
DC Grid operates on an Energy + EV Infrastructure-as-a-Service pricing model, offering cost-effective, scalable solutions tailored to client needs. Currently, DC Grid has memoranda of understanding for six sites across the United States.
“There’s no construction involved, only assembly,” Shao says. “DC Grid sends out its project managers to supervise deployment and hire local labor for the assembly. Since we provide the solution as a service, DC Grid is responsible for delivering all the necessary equipment onsite.”
DC Grid hardware overview
The DC Grid EV charger is rated for 300 kW. They are deployed in blocks of 4 (or 8 charging ports), so 1.2 MW of peak power consumption is a base building block. DC Grid uses generation modules in 250 kW, 500 kW, and 2.5 MW building blocks. DC Grid solutions feature above-ground raceways and wiring, eliminating the need for traditional construction.
“The in-house created DC Grid products are Authentix chargers and the Power Shelf,” Shao tells Solar Builder. “Everything else, we partner to form a turnkey solution for our customers.”
That includes the solar + storage system integration, but Shao says key suppliers will be announced in 2025. “Regarding solar and storage products, there are plenty of choices and there’s no need for us to create our own. We work with a few suppliers (to be announced in the future) on the solutions, with speed-to-deploy/teardown, easy maintenance, and proven reliability as the main criteria (and of course DC-coupled operations)”
By utilizing DC wiring throughout, DC Grid systems bypass utility transformer requirements, switchgear, and AC equipment. This allows for onsite assembly without construction in just days, completely removing the need for electric utility involvement.
These off-grid drop-in systems can significantly cut energy losses too, achieving up to 20% savings in power conversions and 33% in transmission and distribution.
DC Grid applications
Unlike competing options, DC Grid offers a range of energy generation options, including solar + storage, natural gas, and biogas. Here’s how Shao sees these translating into project applications.
- For rural areas, the DC Grid solar + storage option leverages exclusive DC-based technology, maximizing land use at 4 acres per MWdc.
- In dense urban settings, DC Grid natural gas and biogas provide flexible solutions, with the ability to deliver onsite in compressed form or integrated directly into existing pipeline infrastructure. In data center applications, DC Grid offers a 1,500 VDC power shelf to deliver DC directly into the building, reducing copper wire sizes, minimizing waste heat, and achieving 99% efficiency. This approach supports the operational needs of high-energy data centers that are expected to grow annually by 19% to 22% between 2023 and 2030, reaching a total demand of 171 to 219 GW per year.
- For EV hub deployments, DC Grid introduces the Authentix 300 kW DC/DC Fast Charger, an ultra-compact NACS/CCS dual hose unit powered by direct current.
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