New Report Uncovers Shifting Data Center Priorities as AI Demands Reshape Energy Storage

Sustainability, AI-Driven Workloads, and Rising Power Demands Top Industry Concerns as Data Center Strategies Evolve to Meet Emerging Needs


PORTLAND, Oregon—(April, 2025)— ZincFive®, the global leader in nickel-zinc (NiZn) battery-based solutions for immediate power applications, has released its second annual 2025 Data Center Energy Storage Industry Insights Report in collaboration with Data Center Frontier. This report offers a comprehensive look at the evolving energy storage landscape, featuring insights from industry professionals worldwide. It examines key trends shaping the future of data center power, including shifting priorities, emerging challenges, evolving perceptions, and the increasing impact of AI on energy storage strategies.

Key findings and trends from the 2025 report include:

  • AI’s Biggest Impact: When asked about AI’s effect on power and energy storage, 55% of respondents cited increased energy efficiency requirements, while 54% emphasized the growing need for higher power density and smaller footprints.
  • Drivers for Change: Cost remains the primary driver for changes in energy storage technology (58%), followed by safety concerns (46%), cooling requirements (42%), product availability (40%), and reliability issues (39%).
  • Sustainability: In 2025, sustainability continues to gain importance, with 87% of respondents considering it a priority, up from 81% in 2024. Additionally, nearly three-quarters (72%) report significant or moderate cost reductions from their organization’s sustainability efforts, an increase from 63% last year.
  • Backup Runtimes: In 2025, 37% of respondents expect their UPS battery backup run times to decrease in the future, a notable rise from 26% in 2024. Meanwhile, 31% anticipate no change, down from 38% last year.
  • AI’s Impact on Power Design: Nearly nine in ten respondents (86%) anticipate a shift toward more customized power solutions to accommodate AI demands, while only 4% expect no changes.
  • Modular Power Solutions: Two-thirds (68%) of respondents use modular power solutions and plan to continue, 22% deploy them at all locations, while 14% have no plans for adoption.

“As data centers evolve to meet rising AI-driven workloads, sustainability goals, and increasing power demands, staying ahead of industry shifts has never been more critical,” said Tim Hysell, CEO and Co-Founder of ZincFive. “This report captures the pulse of the industry, revealing not just the adoption of new technologies, but the growing demand for smarter, more resilient, and sustainable energy storage solutions. The data underscores an ongoing shift – one that prioritizes efficiency, reliability, and innovation to power the future of data centers.”

The Data Center Energy Storage Industry Insights Report was created through a thorough data collection and analysis process conducted by Data Center Frontier and Endeavor Business Intelligence on behalf of ZincFive. Data was collected between January 23 and February 6, 2025, with 132 qualified industry professionals from around the world participating in the survey. 

Download 2025 report
Revisit 2024 report

About ZincFive, Inc.
ZincFive is the world leader in innovation and delivery of nickel-zinc batteries and immediate power solutions. Supported by an impressive portfolio of international patents, ZincFive technology harnesses The Power of Good Chemistry® to propel the world forward. ZincFive technology leverages the safety and sustainability of nickel-zinc chemistry to provide unparalleled high power density and performance for mission critical applications. ZincFive is a privately held company based in Tualatin, Oregon. For more information, visit  www.zincfive.com.

ZincFive and The Power of Good Chemistry are registered trademarks of ZincFive, Inc. and the ZincFive logo is a trademark of ZincFive, Inc.

Media Contact: media@zincfive.com

Follow ZincFive: LinkedIn | YouTube

About Data Center Frontier
Data Center Frontier charts the future of data centers and cloud computing. We write about what’s next for the Internet, and the innovations that will take us there. The data center is our prism. We tell the story of the digital economy through the facilities that power the cloud and the people who build them. In writing about data centers and thought leaders, we explain the importance of how and where these facilities are built, how they are powered, and their impact on the Internet and the communities around them. Data Center Frontier is a publication of Endeavor Business Media. For more information, visit www.datacenterfrontier.com.

TIME Awards ZincFive Prestigious Spots on Both America’s and World’s Top GreenTech Companies 2025 Lists

ZincFive earns recognition for advancing safe, sustainable nickel-zinc battery-based immediate power solutions that power a greener future

ZincFive TIME Awards

PORTLAND, Oregon—(March 27, 2025)— ZincFive®, the world leader in nickel-zinc (NiZn) battery-based solutions for immediate power applications, has been recognized by TIME Magazine on both TIME’s World’s Top GreenTech Companies 2025 and TIME’s America’s Top GreenTech Companies 2025 lists. This dual recognition underscores ZincFive’s impact on the GreenTech landscape globally, providing innovative power solutions that set new standards for safety, sustainability, and performance. The prestigious awards are presented by TIME and Statista Inc., the leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider.

ZincFive ranked #44 on TIME’s America’s Top GreenTech Companies 2025 list and #80 on the World’s Top GreenTech Companies 2025 list.

TIME, in partnership with Statista, identified the top GreenTech companies through a rigorous evaluation process for both the World’s Top GreenTech Companies 2025 and America’s Top GreenTech Companies 2025 lists. Over 8,100 companies were assessed based on three key criteria: positive environmental impact, financial strength, and innovation drive, to determine the top performers. In support of the research, data was gathered from company applications, annual reports, media monitoring, and other public sources. Additionally, Statista collaborated with specialized data partners HolonIQ and LexisNexis® Intellectual Property Solutions to further enhance data accuracy and reliability.

“Earning a place on both of TIME’s prestigious GreenTech lists is a testament to the profound impact of our immediate power technology,” stated Tim Hysell, CEO and Co-Founder of ZincFive. “This dual recognition highlights our commitment to advancing sustainable innovation, delivering high-performance, safe, and environmentally responsible solutions that drive the global transition to cleaner energy.”

ZincFive’s patented nickel-zinc electrochemistry sets a higher standard for immediate power battery technology that not only meets today’s growing power demands but does so safely and sustainably, challenging the dominance of its predecessors, lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries.

“At ZincFive, we believe in the power of good chemistry,” added Hysell. “We stand by the principle that immediate power should be powerfully sustainable – that’s why our energy storage solutions are safe for people and the planet.”

ZincFive’s technology has been consistently commended for its breakthrough innovation of immediate power solutions for the global mission-critical backup and energy storage markets. ZincFive was recently crowned winner of both the 2024 Edison Awards™ in the Resilient & Sustainable Solutions category and the CleanTech Breakthrough 2024 Overall Innovation of the Year Award, earned a finalist spot in the esteemed S&P Global 2023 Platts Global Energy Awards, and won the 2024 Mission Critical Magazine Top Tier Product Award in the Power Systems and Products category.

About ZincFive, Inc.
ZincFive is the world leader in innovation and delivery of nickel-zinc batteries and immediate power solutions. Supported by an impressive portfolio of international patents, ZincFive technology harnesses The Power of Good Chemistry® to propel the world forward. ZincFive technology leverages the safety and sustainability of nickel-zinc chemistry to provide unparalleled high power density and performance for mission critical applications. ZincFive is a privately held company based in Tualatin, Oregon. For more information, visit  www.zincfive.com.

ZincFive and The Power of Good Chemistry are registered trademarks of ZincFive, Inc. and the ZincFive logo is a trademark of ZincFive, Inc.

Follow ZincFiveLinkedIn | YouTube

Media Contact: media@zincfive.com

ZincFive Welcomes Nabeel Mahmood as Brand Evangelist

Mahmood partners with ZincFive to champion safe, reliable, and sustainable power solutions for the data center industry and beyond


PORTLAND, Oregon—(January, 2025) ZincFive®, the world leader in nickel-zinc (NiZn) battery-based solutions for immediate power applications, announces today a strategic partnership with Nabeel Mahmood, a globally recognized thought leader and top 10 global influencer in the technology and data center industry. In his new role as Brand Ambassador and Evangelist, Mahmood will collaborate with the ZincFive team to champion its mission to deliver safe, reliable, and sustainable power solutions to the data center industry and beyond.

Nabeel Mahmood is a globally recognized thought leader and transformative change agent with over two decades of experience shaping the future of technology and the data center sector. Renowned for driving innovation and spearheading large-scale transformation, Mahmood has successfully led organizations through critical growth phases, including mergers and acquisitions, global expansion, and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies. His expertise spans diverse disciplines such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Big Data, IoT, NLP, Blockchain, Mobility, Security and Data Centers, positioning him as a versatile leader at the forefront of technological evolution.

Mahmood’s unique career journey—from the foundational infrastructure of the grid to the dynamic realm of the bit, where data and compute converge—combines technical depth with strategic business insight. As a passionate advocate for the transformative power of technology, he is committed to fostering solutions that not only drive progress but also create a more sustainable and equitable future. Through his visionary leadership, Nabeel inspires industries to embrace innovation, rethink possibilities, and shape a better world.

Mahmood expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “ZincFive’s unwavering dedication to innovation, safety, and sustainability is a testament to their commitment not just to advancing technology but to creating a positive and lasting impact on our planet. This partnership aligns perfectly with my belief in fostering a culture of collaboration and leadership that prioritizes doing what’s right—not just for today, but for generations to come. Together, we have the opportunity to redefine critical power solutions while championing a vision of sustainability and responsibility. By leading with purpose and innovation, we can inspire industries to embrace transformative change and pay it forward, ensuring a brighter, more equitable future for all.”

“We’re excited to collaborate with Nabeel, whose passion for transformative technology matches our drive to deliver game-changing power solutions,” said Tim Hysell, CEO and co-founder of ZincFive. “It’s rewarding to partner with someone who not only shares our vision but genuinely wants to see us and our customers succeed. Nabeel understands the critical demand for solutions that don’t compromise—on reliability, safety, or sustainability—and his perspective will be invaluable as we continue to innovate and rapidly expand.”

ZincFive’s patented nickel-zinc electrochemistry sets a higher standard for battery technology that not only meets today’s growing power demands but does so safely and sustainably, challenging the dominance of its predecessors, lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries.

ZincFive’s nickel-zinc battery technology has been consistently commended for its breakthrough innovation of immediate power solutions for the global mission-critical backup and energy storage markets. This latest accolade follows a series of notable honors, including  being named by TIME Magazine as one of America’s Top GreenTech Companies of 2024, winning both the 2024 Edison Awards™ in the Resilient & Sustainable Solutions category and the CleanTech Breakthrough 2024 Overall Innovation of the Year Award, and securing a finalist spot in the prestigious S&P Global 2023 Platts Global Energy Awards

About ZincFive, Inc.
ZincFive is the world leader in innovation and delivery of nickel-zinc batteries and immediate power solutions. Supported by an impressive portfolio of international patents, ZincFive technology harnesses The Power of Good Chemistry® to propel the world forward. ZincFive technology leverages the safety and sustainability of nickel-zinc chemistry to provide unparalleled high power density and performance for mission critical applications. ZincFive is a privately held company based in Tualatin, Oregon. For more information, visit  www.zincfive.com.

ZincFive and The Power of Good Chemistry are registered trademarks of ZincFive, Inc. and the ZincFive logo is a trademark of ZincFive, Inc.

Media Contact: media@zincfive.com

Follow ZincFive: LinkedIn | YouTube

Follow Nabeel Mahmood: LinkedIn | X | Web

ZincFive Wins Mission Critical 2024 Top Tier Product Award in the Power Systems / Products Category

The ZincFive BC Series UPS Battery Cabinets are powerful, compact, reliable, safe and sustainable megawatt class UPS energy storage systems


PORTLAND, Oregon—(September, 2024) ZincFive®, the world leader in nickel-zinc (NiZn) battery-based solutions for immediate power applications, has won the 2024 Mission Critical Magazine Top Tier Product Award in the Power Systems / Products category for its BC 2 – 500 UPS Battery Cabinet. The BC 2 – 500 Battery Cabinet was selected for the unparalleled power density, reliability, industry-leading footprint, and unmatched safety it offers in UPS applications for data centers and other mission critical environments. 

ZincFive BC Series UPS Battery Cabinets are the first nickel-zinc battery energy storage solutions with backward and forward compatibility with megawatt class UPS inverters. The latest BC 2 – 500 and BC 2 – 300X products demonstrate an unwavering commitment to delivering the most compact footprint per kilowatt, showcasing consistent advancements with each new release, and surpassing the already industry-leading footprint of ZincFive’s original BC 2 battery cabinet.

Both new models are powered by a new ultra-high-rate monobloc battery from ZincFive – the Z5 13-90. This ultra-high-rate battery, while maintaining the same case size as its predecessor, now delivers even greater energy and power thanks to a boost in both amp-hour capacity and a remarkable 50% increase in maximum current carrying capability. The Z5 13-90 uses the same NiZn chemistry that has been delivering best-in-class power density, as well as superior safety and sustainability, for over 10 years. 

In addition, ZincFive’s NiZn technology offers minimal maintenance requirements, no thermal runaway, and the higher reliability demanded for mission-critical data centers while placing an emphasis on sustainability. ZincFive’s nickel-zinc batteries have a significantly lower end-to-end climate impact than lead-acid and lithium batteries, as validated by an expert third-party analysis.

“We are thrilled that our BC 2 – 500 UPS Battery Cabinet has received the esteemed Mission Critical 2024 Top Tier Product Award in the Power Systems Category,” said Tim Hysell, Co-founder and CEO of ZincFive. “This next-generation nickel-zinc cabinet marks a significant enhancement in our system’s footprint while upholding the highest standards of safety, reliability, and sustainability. This award underscores the innovation and commitment to excellence that defines ZincFive.”

ZincFive’s nickel-zinc battery technology has been consistently commended for its breakthrough innovation of immediate power solutions for the global mission-critical backup and energy storage markets. This latest accolade follows a series of notable honors, including  being named by TIME Magazine as one of America’s Top GreenTech Companies of 2024, winning both the 2024 Edison Awards™ in the Resilient & Sustainable Solutions category and the CleanTech Breakthrough 2024 Overall Innovation of the Year Award, and securing a finalist spot in the prestigious S&P Global 2023 Platts Global Energy Awards

About ZincFive, Inc.
ZincFive is the world leader in innovation and delivery of nickel-zinc batteries and immediate power solutions. Supported by an impressive portfolio of international patents, ZincFive technology harnesses The Power of Good Chemistry™ to propel the world forward. ZincFive technology leverages the safety and sustainability of nickel-zinc chemistry to provide unparalleled high power density and performance for mission critical applications. ZincFive is a privately held company based in Tualatin, Oregon. For more information, visit  www.zincfive.com.

ZincFive is a registered trademark and the ZincFive logo and The Power of Good Chemistry are trademarks of ZincFive, Inc.

Media Contact: media@zincfive.com

Follow ZincFive: LinkedIn | X | YouTube

ZincFive’s New Industry Insights Report Highlights Increased Focus on Safety, Sustainability, and Cost Efficiency in Data Center Energy Storage

The Study Reveals Newer Battery Chemistries Gaining Momentum, Driven by Key Benefits Valued by Data Center Operators


PORTLAND, Oregon—(September, 2024)— ZincFive®, the global leader in nickel-zinc (NiZn) battery-based solutions for immediate power applications, has published the inaugural Data Center Energy Storage Industry Insights Report in collaboration with Data Center Frontier. This report, featuring contributions from diverse industry professionals worldwide, offers valuable insights into the current landscape and future trends for the data center energy storage, including usage, perceptions, priorities, challenges, predictions, and the impact of AI.

Key findings from the 2024 report include:

  • Only a third of respondents (34%) said they completely trust their existing backup system.
  • When evaluating energy storage solutions, industry professionals prioritize safety (69%) and total cost of ownership (64%). Nickel-zinc (NiZn) batteries, along with valve-regulated lead acid (VRLA) and lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, ranked highly for both safety and cost considerations.
  • Traditional energy storage technology limitations (50%) and sustainability targets/mandates (44%) were driving the changes respondents considered for their energy storage technology. 
  • Four in five respondents (81%) said that sustainability criteria were important in their power system buying decisions.
  • Two-thirds (63%) said that their organization’s sustainability programs have resulted in some cost reductions, with one in five (19%) seeing significant cost reductions.
  • 26% of respondents expect their runtime to decrease, 38% foresee no change, while the remaining respondents believe it could increase.
  • When asked what they were not getting out of their current battery backup/energy storage technology, respondents listed the following four top priorities in order of mention frequency: long life, reliability, sustainability, and cost reduction.

“Data centers are the backbone of our digital world, and as the industry evolves at an unprecedented pace, it’s crucial to stay ahead of the curve,” said Tim Hysell, CEO and Co-Founder of ZincFive. “With this report, we aimed to keep our finger on the pulse of the industry and deliver actionable insights that truly matter to data center professionals. The data shows that the industry is not just adopting new technologies but is demanding more from them—longer life, enhanced reliability, and a strong alignment with sustainability goals. This shift is driving meaningful change across the sector, pushing for innovations that will define the future of energy storage.”

The Data Center Energy Storage Industry Insights Report was created through a thorough data collection and analysis process conducted by Data Center Frontier and Endeavor Business Intelligence on behalf of ZincFive. Data was collected between June 26 and July 19, 2024, with 117 qualified industry professionals from around the world participating in the survey. 

Download the report here

About ZincFive, Inc.
ZincFive is the world leader in innovation and delivery of nickel-zinc batteries and immediate power solutions. Supported by an impressive portfolio of international patents, ZincFive technology harnesses The Power of Good Chemistry™ to propel the world forward. ZincFive technology leverages the safety and sustainability of nickel-zinc chemistry to provide unparalleled high power density and performance for mission critical applications. ZincFive is a privately held company based in Tualatin, Oregon. For more information, visit  www.zincfive.com.

ZincFive is a registered trademark and the ZincFive logo and The Power of Good Chemistry are trademarks of ZincFive, Inc.

Media Contact: media@zincfive.com

Follow ZincFive: LinkedIn | X | YouTube

About Data Center Frontier
Data Center Frontier charts the future of data centers and cloud computing. We write about what’s next for the Internet, and the innovations that will take us there. The data center is our prism. We tell the story of the digital economy through the facilities that power the cloud and the people who build them. In writing about data centers and thought leaders, we explain the importance of how and where these facilities are built, how they are powered, and their impact on the Internet and the communities around them. Data Center Frontier is a publication of Endeavor Business Media. For more information, visit  www.datacenterfrontier.com.

Kohler Uninterruptible Power and ZincFive Team Up to Deliver Safe, Sustainable Nickel-Zinc Energy Storage Solutions for Data Centers

Kohler adds ZincFive's BC Series UPS Battery cabinets to portfolio

Hampshire, UK and Portland, Oregon, USA (August 20, 2024) — Kohler Uninterruptible Power (KUP), provider of innovative UPS systems backed by exceptional support, and ZincFive®, the world leader in nickel-zinc (NiZn) battery-based solutions for immediate power applications, today announced that Kohler will add the ZincFive BC Series Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Battery Cabinets to its portfolio of battery systems available for data center backup power. Nickel-zinc batteries, known for their safety and sustainability, are now available for select Kohler UPS systems, including the high efficiency, high capacity modular MF Series. This collaboration supports Kohler’s mission to offer environmentally friendly options, aiding customers in their quest for safer and greener alternatives. The ZincFive BC Series UPS Battery Cabinets are now available from KUP in the UK and Ireland.

ZincFive’s BC Series UPS Battery Cabinets are the first nickel-zinc battery energy storage solution with backward and forward compatibility with megawatt-class UPS inverters. The BC Series offers the smallest footprint in the industry compared to lead-acid and lithium-ion, has minimal maintenance requirements, and exhibits no thermal runaway. The NiZn chemistry provides reliable operation, with the battery strings remaining conductive, even with weak or depleted cells. In addition, ZincFive’s NiZn batteries have a significantly lower end-to-end climate impact than lead-acid and lithium batteries, as validated by expert third-party analysis

“With power demands increasing and footprint limitations there is a real need for battery innovation in the data center space. However, until now, safety and environmental concerns have been a significant counterweight to the adoption of non-VRLA technologies,” noted Kristian Weatherley-Kaye, Business Development Manager and an experienced data center specialist at KUP. “The opportunity to work with ZincFive to offer solutions that address these concerns is a very positive development. Combining KUP’s highly rated design and support capabilities, along with their innovative MF Series Modular UPS, and the benefits of NiZn batteries offers a great chance to help customers resolve the challenges they are facing.”

ZincFive’s CEO and co-founder, Tim Hysell, highlighted the company’s dedication to innovation with their nickel-zinc battery technology, stating, “Our focus on creating powerful, safe, and reliable solutions is evident in the BC Series. This technology addresses the growing needs of modern data centers and anticipates future demands. As sustainability in data center backup battery systems becomes increasingly important, companies like Kohler are at the forefront, harnessing cutting-edge technology to benefit the market. Our shared commitment to reducing carbon emissions and operational costs without sacrificing safety or performance makes this collaboration highly beneficial for Kohler’s customers.”

Supporting their shared commitment, KUP will be hosting demonstration events with ZincFive at their Hook, UK, headquarters. The next one will be on September 20th – contact your KUP sales contact or the KUP events team for more details via ukmarketing.ups@kohler.com.

About Kohler Uninterruptible Power (KUP) 
Part of Kohler Energy, Kohler Uninterruptible Power (KUP) provides modular and standalone uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems; centralised emergency lighting inverters; associated battery and monitoring systems; design, installation and maintenance services; plus, standby diesel and renewable-fuel generators across the UK, Ireland and SE Asia. With a proven track record supporting critical applications in organisations ranging from commercial innovators to national governments, KUP is committed to service excellence that stretches from pre-concept design through lifetime support into replacement, backed by industry leading customer satisfaction and contract renewal rates. For more details, please visit www.kohler-ups.com

About ZincFive, Inc.
ZincFive is the world leader in innovation and delivery of nickel-zinc batteries and immediate power solutions. Supported by an impressive portfolio of international patents, ZincFive technology harnesses The Power of Good Chemistry™ to propel the world forward. ZincFive technology leverages the safety and sustainability of nickel-zinc chemistry to provide unparalleled high power density and performance for mission critical applications. ZincFive is a privately held company based in Tualatin, Oregon. For more information, visit www.zincfive.com.

ZincFive is a registered trademark and the ZincFive logo and The Power of Good Chemistry are trademarks of ZincFive, Inc.

Kohler Uninterruptible Power Media Contact:
ukmarketing.ups@kohler.com

Media Contact: 
media@zincfive.com

Follow ZincFive: 
LinkedIn | X | YouTube