Our company operates 7 (collapsing some as we go) datacenters currently. The problem we are facing with DC is actually getting equipment that runs on it. In a commodity server model, try and find a Tier 1 vendor who's building a server that'll run without a honking AC power supply in it. HP and IBM need to step up and start offering this, then we'll get somewhere.

Dell is a tier 1 vendor and they offer DC powered servers. Give them a call.

In my opinion, DC power doesn't get you to where you need to be. It just pushes the problem elsewhere. The article is correct in highlighting other areas of the DC that suck down power. Servers are going to be about 25% of the power draw. Everything else in the DC (including the storage, but also CRAC etc.) will also have a bearing on the DC's efficiency.

The article is also correct when it mentions that it is foolhardy to build DC's in power-expensive states. Why people need to invest in raised-floor real estate in NYC, Northern NJ and down-town SF is quite beyond me.

DC is not a state.