A digital power network, comprising: at least one digital electric power routing device configured to facilitate the routing of power among power control elements (3a-f) wherein the digital electric power routing device comprises: a) at least one DC power bus; b) at least two power control elements (3e-f), each with at least two sets of power terminals, wherein at least one of the sets of power terminals accommodates electrical power in packet energy transfer format, and wherein each power control element has electrical connections configured to allow one set of its power terminals to be connected to the DC power bus; c) at least one network controller operable to execute control functions within the power control elements to route electrical power from at least one power control element to at least one other power control element within the digital power network; and d) at least one digital power bus (4,5) separate from the DC bus, wherein the digital power bus (4,5) is configured to facilitate direct routing of power in the packet energy transfer format from one power control element to at least one other power control element within the digital power network; at least one power source (2,8) coupled with at least one of the power control elements (3d"",3a"'); and at least one load (9,10) coupled with at least one of the power control elements (3b",3b'). at least one digital electric power routing device configured to facilitate the routing of power among power control elements (3a-f) wherein the digital electric power routing device comprises: a) at least one DC power bus; b) at least two power control elements (3e-f), each with at least two sets of power terminals, wherein at least one of the sets of power terminals accommodates electrical power in packet energy transfer format, and wherein each power control element has electrical connections configured to allow one set of its power terminals to be connected to the DC power bus; c) at least one network controller operable to execute control functions within the power control elements to route electrical power from at least one power control element to at least one other power control element within the digital power network; and d) at least one digital power bus (4,5) separate from the DC bus, wherein the digital power bus (4,5) is configured to facilitate direct routing of power in the packet energy transfer format from one power control element to at least one other power control element within the digital power network; a) at least one DC power bus; b) at least two power control elements (3e-f), each with at least two sets of power terminals, wherein at least one of the sets of power terminals accommodates electrical power in packet energy transfer format, and wherein each power control element has electrical connections configured to allow one set of its power terminals to be connected to the DC power bus; c) at least one network controller operable to execute control functions within the power control elements to route electrical power from at least one power control element to at least one other power control element within the digital power network; and d) at least one digital power bus (4,5) separate from the DC bus, wherein the digital power bus (4,5) is configured to facilitate direct routing of power in the packet energy transfer format from one power control element to at least one other power control element within the digital power network; at least one power source (2,8) coupled with at least one of the power control elements (3d"",3a"'); and at least one load (9,10) coupled with at least one of the power control elements (3b",3b').