As AI infrastructure scales at an unprecedented pace, power distribution is no longer a background system—it is becoming a defining constraint. The question organizations now face is not if electrical distribution must evolve, but how fast they can act to stay ahead.
Much of the current attention is on 800VDC architecture, driven by increased power computing density required by next generation GPU from companies like Nvidia. But focusing only on that risks missing the bigger picture—and the more immediate opportunity.
To explore what is real, what is misunderstood, and what organizations must do next, I spoke with Andrea Quarteroni, New Electrical Distribution League Leader at Schneider Electric.
Q1: What is direct current distribution and why is it becoming more relevant?
What’s driving its resurgence is straightforward but profound: most modern loads and sources are already DC—servers, EVs, LEDs, electronics, and distributed energy resources (DER) such as solar PV and storage.
At the same time, increasing electrification is placing pressure on existing infrastructure, with grid congestion becoming a growing constraint across many regions.
Today, we convert AC to DC repeatedly at the point of use. Each conversion introduces losses, complexity, heat, cost, and reliability risk. DC distribution aligns the infrastructure with how energy is actually consumed, reducing unnecessary steps and unlocking efficiency gains that are increasingly critical as demand rises.
This isn’t about novelty. It’s about structural alignment with modern energy usage.
Q2: Why is there so much momentum around 800VDC right now?
The momentum around 800VDC is being driven by AI factories—and specifically by extreme power density. AI racks are pushing the limits of traditional architectures, and 800VDC offers an efficient way to deliver large amounts of power at scale. It is a highly effective solution for that specific challenge.
There are other applications, where we could test in the market to better understand and prepare for 800VDC.
The real insight is this: to be ready for data center and AI factory requirements tomorrow, organizations could start building DC capabilities today—through applications that are already viable.
Q3: Which application would you recommend to prepare to explore in addition to data centers?
The other immediate, scalable, and practical application for DC is low-voltage EV infrastructure.
EV charging is inherently DC-native. It connects directly with batteries, integrates naturally with renewables, and benefits immediately from reduced conversion steps. But the broader challenge organizations face today is grid congestion, driven by increasing electrification and peak demand.
The solution is not EV infrastructure alone—it is the development of microgrids, where local generation, storage, and loads are efficiently orchestrated.
Hybrid AC/DC architectures are particularly well-suited for this. Beyond efficiency gains, they enable fundamentally different system designs. A key enabler is the Interlink Converter (ILC), which connects AC and DC backbones and acts as a power gate.
This architecture not only improves efficiency but also enhances flexibility. By optimizing how and when energy is exchanged between AC and DC networks, organizations can reduce peak demand and alleviate pressure on the grid, in some cases delaying or avoiding costly grid upgrades.
Q4: Why is this about more than technology?
The transition to DC is not just a technology shift—it is an ecosystem shift.
What’s required:
- New standards
- New design approaches
- And new ways of collaborating
This is where many organizations hesitate. Not because the technology isn’t ready—but because adopting requires trying something new.
At Schneider Electric, this is not theoretical. We have already deployed DC systems in real-world environments—learning by doing, refining architectures, and bringing solutions to market. This operational experience is critical to moving from concept to scalable reality.
Q5: What role does Current/OS play—and why does it matter now?
Current/OS is an alliance created to accelerate DC adoption by:
- Defining optimized System architectures
- Ensuring multi-brand interoperability
- Enabling repeatable, scalable deployments
Schneider Electric became a founding member because we recognized early that DC would not scale without cross industry collaboration. More recently, the Memorandum of Understanding between Current/OS and the Open Compute Project (OCP) foundation marked a critical milestone—connecting the expertise of dc power distribution upstream and the high technology know-how of high density racks strengthening the ecosystem needed to scale AI infrastructure.
This alignment sends a clear signal: DC is moving from isolated projects to a shared, scalable future.
Q6: Where does Schneider stand?
Schneider Electric is ready now. We are actively deploying, testing, and scaling DC solutions today, particularly in low-voltage EV applications, in parallel to preparing for data centers. While many players are still exploring, we are already delivering real-world deployments, operational experience, proven architectures, and scalable approaches.
For example, we have real, operational deployments across:
- Our own facilities in Wuhan (CN), Raleigh (USA), and Grenoble (FR)
- Customer projects like the Vinci Wave building in Lille (FR)
- EV infrastructure such as ASR parking in Amsterdam (NE)
- National initiatives like the Sustainable Highway in the Netherlands
These projects matter because they create something far more valuable than concepts: real, operational experience at scale. This allows us to understand not only where DC delivers value today, but also how to design, deploy, and scale it effectively across different applications and geographies. This practical knowledge is a key differentiator in accelerating adoption.
Q7: What role does partnership play?
No organization can navigate this transition alone. DC adoption depends on ecosystem alignment—across technology providers, integrators, infrastructure players, and standards bodies. Partnership is not optional. It is foundational. The companies that will succeed are those that:
- Collaborate early
- Learn through real use cases
- Build capabilities step by step
At Schneider Electric, we believe innovation happens through partnership—combining expertise and accelerating learning together.
Conclusion: Start today
Key takeaways:
- 800VDC addresses AI factory needs—but DC principles apply far beyond
- LV EV is other immediate, scalable, and practical application for DC with products and technology that are ready
- Innovation requires experimentation and fast learning
- Partnership is critical to move from concept to reality and Partnering with Schneider turns innovation into action
The energy transition is accelerating. The question is no longer whether to adapt—but who you choose to do it with.
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