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Chargers, Press Release

Jacobs Joins the Current/OS Foundation to Advance Direct Current (DC) Standards

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As the world moves toward renewable energy and large-scale electrification, the need for efficient energy systems has never been greater. To address this challenge, Jacobs, a global leader in science-based consulting and sustainability solutions, has joined the Current/OS Foundation—a non-profit organisation dedicated to creating unified standards for Direct Current (DC) installations.

The collaboration aims to support the development of DC microgrids, which complement the public energy grid and improve the integration of renewable energy, battery storage, and smart technologies.

Why Direct Current Matters

The rise of renewable energy sources like solar panels and battery storage has highlighted the benefits of DC power. Unlike traditional Alternating Current (AC), which requires conversion, DC power is generated, stored, and consumed natively by many modern devices and systems.

According to Adam Selvey, Built Environment Systems & Sustainability Director at Jacobs:

“We are currently in the largest mass-scale electrification since the end of the 19th century. To reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, the UK grid may need to nearly triple its current capacity. DC networks in buildings, as Edison originally envisioned, can play a critical role in meeting these demands.”

By adopting unified DC standards through initiatives like Current/OS, Jacobs and its partners hope to accelerate the transition to a more efficient and sustainable energy future.

Aligning with Clean Power 2030

The partnership also aligns with the goals outlined in the Clean Power 2030 (CP2030) report, which charts a decade-long transformation of the energy grid to support increased electrification. Jacobs plans to leverage its involvement with the Current/OS Foundation to:

  • Develop DC pilot projects in the UK.
  • Share insights from international DC projects.
  • Enhance skills across the supply chain for Building Service Engineers.
  • Establish the UK as a global leader in DC deployment within buildings.

Jacobs’ Role in the Foundation

Welcoming Jacobs to the organisation, Yannick Neyret, President of the Current/OS Foundation, stated:

“Jacobs’ expertise in British infrastructure and their ability to add value across the supply chain will be critical in making the UK a leader in DC adoption.”

With their extensive experience in sustainability and infrastructure, Jacobs is well-positioned to contribute to the Foundation’s mission of creating unified DC standards.

About the Current/OS Foundation

The Current/OS Foundation brings together manufacturers and suppliers to develop standards for DC installations. These standards aim to ensure safe and compatible operation of DC equipment in localised microgrids, making the integration of renewable energy more efficient and reliable.

Jacobs: Reinventing Tomorrow

Jacobs is known for tackling the world’s most complex challenges, from advanced manufacturing to sustainable energy. With almost 45,000 employees and $12 billion in annual revenue, the company is a global leader in delivering end-to-end solutions for a more connected, sustainable world.

Why This Matters

The transition to Direct Current (DC) is a key step in the global push for sustainability. By collaborating with the Current/OS Foundation, Jacobs is helping to pave the way for more efficient energy systems that can handle the demands of increased electrification.

From renewable integration to smart building technologies, the future of energy looks bright—and increasingly DC-powered.

What are your thoughts on the shift to DC networks? Could this be the game-changer we need for sustainable energy? Share your opinions in the comments below!

For more information, visit currentos.foundation and jacobs.com.

AI, Artificial Intelligence, Business, Datacentres, Fully Charged, Gadget Man, Technology, The Gadget Man

The UK’s AI Opportunities Action Plan: A Bold Vision for the Future

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Artificial Intelligence is not just the technology of the future—it’s the force shaping our present. Recognising this, the UK government has unveiled the AI Opportunities Action Plan, an ambitious roadmap designed to cement Britain’s position as a global AI superpower.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in his foreword to the plan, described AI as “the defining opportunity of our generation”, highlighting its transformative potential across public services, healthcare, education, and beyond. The plan outlines 50 recommendations aimed at harnessing AI’s potential to drive innovation, improve lives, and ensure Britain leads in this fiercely competitive sector.

A Vision Rooted in Innovation and Leadership

The Action Plan reflects the UK’s rich history of innovation—from Turing to Lovelace—and leverages the country’s strengths in world-class universities, pioneering tech companies, and a commitment to ethical AI. The government’s mission is clear: be a creator, not just a consumer, of AI breakthroughs.

Key priorities include:

  • Building cutting-edge AI infrastructure.
  • Creating AI Growth Zones to attract investment and foster innovation.
  • Supporting AI adoption in public and private sectors.
  • Addressing the growing demand for AI skills and talent.
  • Strengthening regulations to build trust and promote innovation.
The UK's AI Opportunities Action Plan: A Bold Vision for the Future
The UK’s AI Opportunities Action Plan: A Bold Vision for the Future

Key Highlights from the AI Opportunities Action Plan

  1. Supercomputing for AI:
    The UK will expand its sovereign compute capacity by 20x by 2030, starting with the creation of a state-of-the-art supercomputing facility. AI researchers and SMEs will benefit from powerful resources like Isambard AI in Bristol and Dawn in Cambridge, helping drive economic growth through innovation.
  2. AI Growth Zones (AIGZs):
    The government will pilot AI Growth Zones at sites like Culham, home to the UK Atomic Energy Authority, which will feature one of the UK’s largest AI data centres. These zones aim to accelerate AI infrastructure development while creating jobs and boosting local economies.
  3. Energy for AI:
    With AI’s energy demands growing, the government will establish an AI Energy Council to explore clean, renewable energy solutions, including the use of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), ensuring sustainable growth in the sector.
  4. The National Data Library:
    Public sector data will be unlocked securely and ethically to drive AI research. The National Data Library will give researchers access to high-value datasets, ensuring that AI advancements directly benefit society.
  5. AI Skills Pipeline:
    To address the skills gap, the government will launch initiatives like an AI scholarship programme and expand pathways into AI education and careers, ensuring diversity in the talent pool.
  6. Safe and Trusted AI:
    By strengthening institutions like the AI Safety Institute, the UK will ensure that advanced AI models are safe, reliable, and aligned with societal goals.
  7. Public Sector Transformation:
    AI pilots, like the Caddy project, will revolutionise public services by automating tasks, improving efficiency, and giving staff more time for meaningful face-to-face interactions.

Why This Matters

AI has the potential to transform every aspect of our society, from reducing NHS waiting lists to revolutionising education and speeding up planning applications. The UK government’s proactive stance reflects the importance of staying ahead in the global AI race.

“Some countries will make AI breakthroughs and export them to the world. Others will be left to import them. This plan ensures Britain is the former,” said the Prime Minister.

Next Steps

The government is already taking action to implement the recommendations. From scaling up compute resources to introducing sector-specific AI champions, the Action Plan is geared to deliver tangible results. By Spring 2025, further details will emerge, including a Compute Strategy, additional AI Growth Zones, and updates on AI regulation.

A Bold Plan for a Transformative Future

The AI Opportunities Action Plan is more than a vision—it’s a blueprint for securing the UK’s place as a global leader in AI innovation. Whether it’s creating jobs, improving public services, or fostering groundbreaking discoveries, the plan is set to shape a future where AI works for everyone.

What do you think of the UK’s bold AI ambitions? Will this plan keep Britain at the forefront of global innovation? Share your thoughts in the comments below!