Promoting Hybrid Power Distribution At IMFA.

We were in Orlando, FL, this week to give a presentation at the International Facility Management Association’s (IMFA) World Workplace 2009 Conference & Expo, an annual three-day educational and networking event focused on the future of the built environment. This multi-national, multi-disciplined forum covered workplace challenges, trends and new products and services impacting the workplace throughout 2010 and beyond. Topics included energy efficiency, techniques for protecting your business from workplace data breaches, and methods for cutting facility costs and increasing productivity.

We were there to check out what’s new in the industry and to host a presentation called “A hybrid approach to building power: adding DC to power to interior architecture” with our EMerge Alliance partners Brian Patterson, of Armstrong World Industries, Paula Ziegenbein, of OSRAM SYLVANIA, and Joel Zwier, of Steelcase Inc.

Our presentation covered a variety of power distribution issues and demonstrated how AC/DC hybrid coupled power systems:

  • Embrace trends in alternative energy;
  • Enhance efficiency, flexibility and sustainability;
  • Offer better reliability and lower energy costs.

In short, we explained that AC/DC hybrid systems offer benefits to: the community (in the form of easier access to alternative energy sources); building owners and facility mangers (in the form of decreased installation costs, increased sustainability and easier reconfigurations); and to individuals (in the form of safety, reliability and flexibility). This hybrid approach to power distribution is the way of the future as it provides an easy, efficient way to produce, distribute and use power in an increasingly DC driven world.

To learn more about the World Workplace 2009 expo, or for a complete list of conference details, visit www.worldworkplace.org.

For more information about the importance of DC power, visit the Emerge Alliance website at www.emergealliance.org.