Navigant Research Report Shows Total Annual Implementation Spending for Direct Current Distribution Networks Is Expected to Exceed $48.4 Billion in 2027

New standards and innovation at the medium voltage level are
needed to propel this market further

BOULDER, Colo.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#DirectCurrent–A new report from Navigant
Research examines the global market for direct current (DC)
distribution networks in six key segments, providing an overview of
market issues and trends, as well as forecasts broken out by segment,
voltage level, and region, through 2027.

The market for DC distribution networks encompasses disparate
opportunities that revolve around different market assumptions,
dynamics, and drivers, yet common challenges exist across its segments.
Among these are a lack of standards and open grid architectures that can
help integrate the increasing diversity of resources being plugged into
retail power grids, as well as an innovation gap in the medium voltage
level of electricity service (roughly 240 V-400 V) needed for many
microgrids and building-scale nanogrids. Click
to tweet: According to a new report from @NavigantRSRCH,
despite these challenges, total annual DC distribution network
implementation spending is expected to grow from more than $11 billion
today to $48.4 billion in 2027.

“To build a better market for DC distribution grid infrastructure, new
standards will need to be in place to allow competing vendors to design
products that can plug into common DC service delivery frameworks,” says
Peter Asmus, research director with Navigant Research. “Only by stepping
up DC to medium voltage ranges can the current be sustained to travel
over sufficient distances to create a distribution network the scale of
a microgrid. This is a distribution network where DC offers immense
resiliency, and modularity benefits.”

According to some estimates, as much as 80% of loads in commercial and
residential structures are now natively DC. Given the enormous political
and policy support for inverter-based native DC power sources such as
solar PV and batteries, there is growing momentum among technology
vendors making the argument to reduce DC-AC-DC conversion losses and
integrate DC distribution networks into the existing power supply
infrastructure. An even more convincing argument can be made to develop
new DC distribution networks where there is no incumbent AC
infrastructure, such as is the case with telecom towers and energy
access initiatives in the developing world.

The report, Direct
Current Distribution Networks, analyzes the global market for DC
distribution networks in six key segments: remote cell towers,
commercial buildings, data centers, energy access programs, military,
and EV fast charging systems. The study examines the market issues,
including DC power trends and business cases (for DC and AC), related to
DC distribution networks. Global market forecasts, broken out by
segment, voltage level, and region, extend through 2027. The report also
examines the key segments related to DC distribution networks, as well
as the competitive landscape. An Executive Summary of the report is
available for free download on the Navigant
Research website.

About Navigant Research

Navigant Research, the dedicated research arm of Navigant, provides
market research and benchmarking services for rapidly changing and often
highly regulated industries. In the energy sector, Navigant Research
focuses on in-depth analysis and reporting about global clean technology
markets. The team’s research methodology combines supply-side industry
analysis, end-user primary research and demand assessment, and deep
examination of technology trends to provide a comprehensive view of the
Energy Technologies, Utility Transformations, Transportation
Efficiencies, and Buildings Innovations sectors. Additional information
about Navigant Research can be found at www.navigantresearch.com.

About Navigant

Navigant Consulting, Inc. is a specialized, global professional services
firm that helps clients take control of their future. Navigant’s
professionals apply deep industry knowledge, substantive technical
expertise, and an enterprising approach to help clients build, manage
and/or protect their business interests. With a focus on markets and
clients facing transformational change and significant regulatory or
legal pressures, the Firm primarily serves clients in the healthcare,
energy and financial services industries. Across a range of advisory,
consulting, outsourcing, and technology/analytics services, Navigant’s
practitioners bring sharp insight that pinpoints opportunities and
delivers powerful results. More information about Navigant can be found
at navigant.com.

* The information contained in this press release concerning the
report, Direct Current Distribution Networks, is a summary and
reflects Navigant Research’s current expectations based on market data
and trend analysis. Market predictions and expectations are inherently
uncertain and actual results may differ materially from those contained
in this press release or the report. Please refer to the full report for
a complete understanding of the assumptions underlying the report’s
conclusions and the methodologies used to create the report. Neither
Navigant Research nor Navigant undertakes any obligation to update any
of the information contained in this press release or the report.

Contacts

Navigant Research
Lindsay Funicello-Paul, +1-781-270-8456
lindsay.funicello.paul@navigant.com