Why do you have to consider the battery first when choosing UPS power supply?

Do you know how to choose a power supply? Uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is one of the most critical power components in the data center. However, the role of batteries used in UPS power supplies is often overlooked. If the data center's utility power fails, the UPS power's battery must immediately take over and use its stored energy to support the workload until utility power is restored, the diesel generator can be started, or the data center can be safely shut down. Therefore, the battery of the UPS power supply is crucial for the data center, and the following highlights the key issues to consider when selecting battery technology for the UPS power supply.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Various Batteries for UPS Power Supply

Reliability and cost are important requirements for all data centers. UPS power batteries are a major contributor to these priorities, as data center managers require energy-efficient technology to ensure business continuity, extend operational life and reduce total cost of ownership (TCO). Choosing a UPS power source requires exploring the pros and cons of different battery technologies. Which one users need to choose will have a direct impact on total cost of ownership (TCO), energy efficiency and charging rates. Traditional lead-acid batteries account for more than 90% of the UPS market, but interest in lithium-ion technology has been growing in recent years.

This is because lithium-ion batteries have a smaller footprint and excellent fast charging capabilities. Additionally, lithium-ion batteries require low maintenance and have a long service life. However, they also require dedicated charging systems, battery management to ensure safe operation, and are not easily recyclable. Therefore, it is worth considering alternatives to traditional lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries, such as thin-plate pure lead (TPPL) batteries, a technology that offers similar performance advantages to lithium-ion batteries and offers advantages over traditional fiberglass separators ( AGM) batteries have higher energy efficiency.

The rise of lithium-ion battery technology

The growth of the electric vehicle market has led to rapid development of lithium-ion battery technology. Lithium-ion batteries have high charge acceptance and fast charging capabilities. This feature is very important in areas with frequent mains power outages. Lithium-ion batteries use a battery management system (BMS) to control charging efficiency and safety. Charging speed, energy efficiency and battery life are all factors that make lithium-ion batteries attractive for UPS power applications. These batteries have low maintenance requirements due to the built-in diagnostics of the battery management system (BMS). Lithium-ion batteries have a design life of 15 to 20 years at 25°C, but have rarely been tested in practice.

Lithium-ion batteries are smaller and lighter than lead-acid batteries. This allows the data center to recover floor space from its UPS power and use it for data center equipment.

Thin Plate Pure Lead (TPPL) Battery Alternative

Thin Plate Pure Lead (TPPL) batteries are an advanced form of lead-acid batteries and offer advantages over fiberglass separator (AGM) batteries. First, Thin Plate Pure Lead (TPPL) batteries have very good fast charging capabilities. Depending on the charging current and voltage parameters used, they can be fully charged in 2 and a half hours. Glass fiber separator (AGM) batteries have a baseline life of 5 to 6 years, while thin plate pure lead (TPPL) batteries have a design life of over 12 years. Although thin plate pure lead (TPPL) battery technology is as compact as lithium-ion batteries, high energy density solutions are possible.

Battery safety, recycling and total cost of ownership considerations

Fast charging, low maintenance costs and long service life are important factors in choosing UPS batteries. But other factors cannot be ignored.

•Safe transportation

The shipping restrictions for lithium-ion batteries do not apply to lead-acid technology. Thin Plate Pure Lead (TPPL) batteries are approved as non-dangerous goods and can be transported by land, sea and air without restrictions. However, UN3480 class lithium-ion batteries must be shipped in a Partial State of Charge (PSoC). They must comply with packaging regulations and are restricted to specialized cargo airlines.

•recycle and re-use

Commercial recycling pathways have been established for lead-acid batteries. 95% of batteries are recyclable and have an inherent end-of-life value. Lithium-ion batteries are 100% recyclable, but commercial recycling options are lacking. Depending on the chemistry, the end user may have to pay for battery disposal at the end of its useful life. This will certainly change in the future as the lithium-ion market continues to grow.

•Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

Ultimately, total cost of ownership (TCO) is the primary driver for choosing a UPS power supply over its battery technology. Initial investment, maintenance and operating costs, and service life all play important roles in determining total cost of ownership (TCO).

Lithium-ion batteries are more expensive, but are designed to last longer, which has yet to be proven in practice. Lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries have different charging characteristics. Installing a UPS power solution with lithium-ion batteries requires new charging infrastructure, thus increasing the initial investment. Thin Plate Pure Lead (TPPL) batteries, on the other hand, use the same charging scheme as standard lead-acid batteries.

in conclusion

The development of lithium-ion technology in electric vehicle applications creates opportunities for other industries such as data centers. Traditional lead-acid batteries, thin plate pure lead (TPPL) batteries, and lithium-ion batteries all have their own advantages and disadvantages. Users selecting a UPS for their data center should keep the pros and cons of each battery type in mind before selecting a UPS solution. Each application has its own unique requirements, and data centers are well advised to seek expert advice for their application scenarios. The above are the reasons why you must first consider the battery when choosing a UPS power supply, so as to ensure the correctness of the design.