The Critical Shift to Immediate Power Solutions (IPS) in Data Centers
In the ever-evolving landscape of energy storage, the choice of battery chemistry is a pivotal factor that can determine the success of our applications. Different battery technologies offer distinct advantages and disadvantages: some excel in delivering high power for brief intervals, while others provide sustained energy over longer durations at lower discharge rates. Additionally, these batteries vary in safety, reliability, and sustainability. As energy storage becomes increasingly integral to the 21st-century economy, it is critical to select the most appropriate battery solution for each application, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all mentality.
Traditionally, long-duration energy storage has been encapsulated within the framework of Energy Storage Systems (ESS), commonly used for applications such as powering electric vehicles and consumer electronics. Conversely, short-duration applications, which prioritize immediate power output, fall under the category of Immediate Power Solutions (IPS). IPS applications demand instantaneous, high-rate power for durations ranging from minutes to microseconds. These solutions are vital across various sectors, including industrial manufacturing, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and support systems that help long-duration energy storage and generation products achieve peak power.
One of the most fitting applications for IPS is in the realm of uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems, where a battery backup temporarily supplies power for a system until a longer-term power source comes online. These short but pivotal moments can have significant financial and reputational implications, especially for data centers.
AI’s impact on data center power requirements
Read PostWith the exponential growth of consumer electronics, IoT, and AI, our reliance on digital infrastructure is at an all-time high, making data center uptime absolutely critical. To meet these escalating demands, data center operators must contend with workplace safety, rising real estate costs, and increased sustainability expectations from regulators, investors, and clients. These pressures are driving a transition toward backup power solutions that deliver greater reliability, space efficiency, and environmental responsibility.
The mounting demands on data centers have created an environment where reliance on traditional UPS systems, often powered by ESS, results in suboptimal performance. While legacy IPS solutions have historically been used, they frequently compromise on benefits such as footprint and sustainability. Fortunately, innovative IPS battery solutions have emerged, designed specifically to provide immediate, high-rate power essential for managing the critical transition between an outage and backup generator activation—all while improving on the shortcomings of legacy IPS and current ESS systems.
Lead-acid batteries, a long-standing IPS technology, are often seen as a familiar and reliable choice for UPS in data centers. However, they are increasingly recognized for their limitations in size, sustainability, and power output, making them less suitable in today’s context. Many data centers have relied on lead-acid due to its affordability and widespread availability in the past, but the good news is that enhanced alternatives are now on the market.
Lithium-ion batteries are another option frequently considered by data center operators for UPS systems, and their popularity grew due to their favorable weight and size compared to lead-acid solutions. As real estate costs escalate, the physical footprint of UPS systems has become a critical concern for operators looking to optimize space for revenue-generating servers. However, lithium-ion batteries are still classified as ESS because their limited discharge rates are designed to mitigate safety concerns, thus failing to fully meet the immediate power needs of UPS systems.
In contrast, nickel-zinc batteries present a compelling IPS solution, boasting significantly higher power density than both lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries. They can deliver immediate power to an entire data center while occupying less than half the space of traditional lead-acid systems, thus allowing for additional servers and increased revenue potential. Furthermore, nickel-zinc batteries enhance reliability and sidestep the thermal runaway risks associated with lithium batteries. Their lifecycle emissions are also substantially lower than those of lithium and lead-acid alternatives, with reduced resource consumption and environmental impact.
The Race to Reduce UPS Runtime: Why Backup Battery Selection Matters More Than Ever
Read PostTransitioning to advanced battery technologies previously posed challenges, including compatibility issues and high retrofitting costs, often stemming from the specialized safety equipment required for lithium-ion systems. However, recent developments in UPS cabinets designed for seamless integration into existing setups have changed the game. These innovations facilitate the straightforward replacement of ESS with IPS, enabling data centers to enhance efficiency, safety, and sustainability without the need for extensive system overhauls.
As data centers continue to be crucial players in driving the global economy, reliable UPS systems are indispensable. The need to increase power density and eliminate outage risks efficiently has shown that we need to look beyond traditional ESS systems. With the barriers to adopting advanced technology now addressed, data centers are well-positioned to maximize their reliability, safety, and efficiency by embracing Immediate Power Solutions in their UPS systems.
Previously published by Data Centre Review
Nickel-Zinc: The Data Center Shift Beyond Lithium-Ion and Lead-Acid
Modern data centers are the backbone of digital operations, supporting AI, cloud computing, e-commerce, and more. As power consumption surges – especially due to AI’s high computational requirements – the need for reliable, efficient, and eco-friendly backup power is greater than ever. While lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries have long been widely used, nickel-zinc (NiZn) technology is emerging as a powerful alternative that is inherently more safe, reliable, and sustainable.
The Limits of Traditional Battery Technologies
Lead-acid batteries have historically been the standard for uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems, valued for their affordability and reliability. However, in today’s high-demand environments, their large size, short lifespan, and relatively low energy density have made lead-acid batteries a less efficient choice.
Lithium-ion batteries improved on some of these limitations with their compact design and longer lifespan. However, this chemistry presents well-documented risks, including thermal runaway and toxic gas emissions – factors that can carry serious operational and financial implications. Environmental and ethical concerns around lithium mining further complicate its role as a long-term fit for sustainable data center operations.
2025 Data Center Energy Storage Industry Insights Report
Read ReportThe Nickel-Zinc Advantage: Safer Power. Smarter Design. Sustainable Future.
Nickel-zinc batteries deliver a superior alternative to traditional chemistries – overcoming historical UPS limitations without compromise. Here’s why NiZn is quickly becoming a preferred choice for UPS systems:
1. Maximum Power, Minimal Footprint
NiZn immediate power technology delivers up to three times the power density of conventional battery solutions, while occupying just half the footprint and one-third of the weight. As data center operations continue to demand more power in existing or smaller spaces, high power density translates to direct savings. By packing more power into a smaller, industry-leading footprint, nickel-zinc solutions optimize floor space for critical, revenue generating equipment.
2. Exceptional Safety and Dependability
NiZn chemistry is fundamentally safe and does not pose a risk of thermal runaway at the cell level. It also operates effectively across a wider temperature range than both lead and lithium, reducing the need for extensive cooling infrastructure.
Nickel-zinc batteries deliver consistently high dependability without compromising safety. Unlike lithium-based chemistries that may require system shutdowns through battery management systems (BMS) to prevent thermal runaway, NiZn systems remain operational—even if a single cell becomes weak or depleted—ensuring continued performance with minimal downtime.
Thanks to its inherently safe chemistry, NiZn does not require trading off reliability for safety. Even during unexpected cooling system failures, NiZn batteries continue to operate safely and reliably and remain under warranty for their full-service life. NiZn batteries are warrantied to perform reliably even with occasional exposure to elevated temperatures up to 50°C, offering added peace of mind in demanding operating environments.
3. Longevity and Cost Efficiency
With a 10-year warranty and service life of up to 15 years, NiZn batteries outlast traditional chemistries in lifespan and value. The frequency of nickel-zinc replacements and maintenance is significantly lower compared to lead-acid and lithium-ion, contributing to a higher overall cost of ownership for these legacy chemistries. Alternatively, the durability, longevity, and low maintenance of NiZn contributes to an overall lower total cost of ownership (TCO), making this chemistry a financially sound investment for data centers.
4. Sustainability Without Compromise
With increasing consumer and regulatory requirements, sustainability has emerged as a key focus for many organizations. The 2025 Data Center Energy Storage Industry Insights Report reveals that 87% of respondents consider sustainability a priority, up from 81% in 2024. Additionally, 72% of respondents report that their organization’s sustainability efforts have resulted in cost reductions, nearly a 10% increase from last year.
ZincFive’s nickel-zinc (NiZn) battery technology delivers a sustainable and recyclable backup power solution with the highest positive climate impact, when compared to traditional lead-acid or lithium-based systems. NiZn batteries boast an operational lifespan up to three times longer than lead-acid counterparts, minimizing waste and reducing replacement needs. In addition, the lifetime greenhouse gas emissions from NiZn solutions are 25–50% lower than lead-acid and lithium-ion alternatives, and utilize conflict-free, widely-available materials. Nickel and zinc are both highly recyclable, and significantly more abundant in the Earth’s crust than lithium and lead. From cradle-to-grave, nickel-zinc solutions are the more sustainable and environmentally responsible choice for energy storage and immediate power in modern data centers.
AI’s impact on data center power requirements
Read PostSupporting AI’s Energy Demands with Nickel-Zinc
As AI-driven tools and applications demand immense computational power, data centers are faced with frequent and intense energy surges. These rapid power spikes, numbering millions monthly, are a result of GPU clusters operating at peak capacity. Lead-acid batteries struggle to perform in these high-cycle environments, making this chemistry a less effective choice for the future. While lithium-ion systems can manage typical battery cycling, this chemistry experiences performance degradation under extreme load fluctuations common with AI. Nickel-zinc systems, alternatively, demonstrate highly effective load management of rapid pulsing present in AI load profiling. With its rapid discharge and recharge capability and high-power density, nickel-zinc chemistry efficiently manages AI-driven power spikes without compromising performance.
Nickel-Zinc: Powering the Next Generation of Data Centers
As data center needs and digital infrastructure rapidly evolve amidst the growing use of AI, nickel-zinc continues to rise as the future-proof energy storage solution. With millions of operating hours across multiple industries, NiZn delivers high-power density and a compact footprint that is unmatched by traditional chemistries. Coupled with a long lifespan, inherent safety and reliability benefits, and notable sustainability advantages, NiZn chemistry is a strong and resilient alternative to legacy battery technologies. With an unshakable standard of high performance under the peak loads of today’s digital landscape, nickel-zinc chemistry is the sustainable, compact, and cost-effective solution capable of growing the data centers of tomorrow – all without compromise.
Previously published by Data Center Frontier
Immediate Power Solutions (IPS): A Vital Component in Modern Data Centers
The rapid evolution of technology—spanning online services, consumer electronics, IoT, and AI—has amplified our reliance on digital infrastructure and emphasized the importance of uninterrupted data center operations. This technological surge is driving advancements in electrical infrastructure, particularly in energy storage, due to evolving needs. Data center operators face the challenge of addressing these increasing demands while also managing workplace safety, rising property expenses, and sustainability issues. Consequently, there is a noticeable shift towards backup power solutions that prioritize greater reliability, space efficiency, and environmental stewardship.
The growing pressure on data centers has brought Immediate Power Solutions (IPS) to the forefront as a crucial category of energy storage. IPS addresses the evolving digital infrastructure landscape by focusing on the immediate, high-rate power necessary for critical operations, distinguishing it from traditional Energy Storage Systems (ESS). Unlike ESS, which focuses on long-duration capacity, IPS is designed to deliver high-rate power instantly for short durations, emphasizing reliability and efficient space use.
When assessing mission-critical backup applications through the IPS framework, the suitability of different systems becomes clearer. For example, lead-acid batteries, which utilize one of the oldest battery technologies, are frequently viewed by many data center operators as a traditional and reliable choice for data center uninterruptible power supplies (UPS). However, given today’s data center requirements for safety, reliability, sustainability, and space efficiency, more advanced battery technologies have now surpassed lead-acid in their suitability for the sector.
The Next Era of Data Center Power: Trust, Sustainability, and Innovation
Read PostOne alternative considered by data center operators for their UPS systems is lithium-ion, an ESS battery. These batteries’ energy density—characterized by their ability to release moderate amounts of energy over extended periods—makes them well-suited for applications such as electric vehicles and consumer electronics. However, data centers need a different capability: the ability to deliver rapid, high-power bursts to keep operations running during power outages until backup generators activate. While lithium-ion batteries are effective for sustained energy output, they may not meet the immediate high-power demands required for data centers. In contrast, IPS solutions are specifically designed to provide the rapid, high-power energy needed during these critical moments and do not have the same space and safety challenges associated with lithium-ion batteries.
Recent advancements in battery technology have introduced solutions specifically tailored for IPS needs. Notably, nickel-zinc batteries represent a breakthrough innovation in this field. Their enhanced power density allows them to deliver substantial bursts of energy rapidly while occupying less than half the space of conventional lead-acid systems. Their compactness and efficiency are particularly advantageous for data centers, as they align with the core objectives of IPS by optimizing space usage, supporting uninterrupted data center operations, and improving overall operational effectiveness and reliability.
IPS batteries can also contribute to UPS systems’ reliability and safety. Unlike other batteries that may experience cell failures, batteries such as nickel-zinc maintain conductivity even if some cells are depleted, ensuring continuous operation. They also avoid thermal runaway and tolerate higher temperatures better than other types, adding an extra layer of safety and stability crucial for maintaining uninterrupted data center operations.
As environmental concerns increasingly influence technological development, IPS is advancing to meet new sustainability standards as well. Nickel-zinc batteries, for example, are designed with sustainability in mind, offering lower lifecycle emissions and reduced resource consumption. They require fewer resources during production and utilize abundant, less environmentally taxing materials.
AI’s impact on data center power requirements
Read PostBy adopting IPS for UPS, data centers not only achieve their sustainability goals but also benefit from high-performance energy storage solutions. This alignment with environmental objectives, combined with the efficient power delivery and space optimization inherent to IPS technologies, underscores the critical role of innovative solutions in advancing both operational effectiveness and ecological responsibility in modern data centers.
Finally, transitioning to advanced IPS technologies is becoming increasingly seamless thanks to recent innovations in battery technology. These advancements have simplified the integration of new solutions into existing systems, allowing data centers to upgrade to more efficient and sustainable IPS options with minimal disruption. This streamlined process not only enhances operational efficiency but also ensures that data centers can quickly adapt to the evolving demands of modern infrastructure, positioning them for long-term success.
As the global economy relies more on data centers, the need for reliable UPS systems to ensure uninterrupted operations has become increasingly critical. This growing demand for dependable, space-efficient, and eco-friendly backup power solutions is driving the shift towards IPS. Their alignment with the challenges they’re solving, as well as the seamless integration into existing systems, facilitates a smoother transition to advanced battery solutions, ensuring that data centers remain resilient and future-ready.
Previously published by Datacentre Solutions
Immediate Power Solutions (IPS): Definition, Benefits, and Impact
Read Paper 
The Next Era of Data Center Power: Trust, Sustainability, and Innovation
It’s not a stretch to say that tomorrow’s winners are likely data center leaders who learn today to more skillfully manage their energy resources — including battery storage.
Data centers, big and small, are amid a period of dramatic transformation. To meet runaway demand for AI applications, data centers are deploying huge numbers of high-performance and energy-gobbling processors. As data centers worldwide scramble to acquire new sources of electricity to power these chips, they’re also searching for ways to get the most out of existing energy sources.
To shed light on the state of data center energy storage and explore where the industry is headed, ZincFive and Data Center Frontier conducted the 2024 Data Center Energy Storage Industry Insights Report, surveying 117 global industry professionals across diverse backgrounds, locations, job levels, and business areas.
In terms of energy use, 30% said their data centers employ less than 5 megawatts (MW) across all campuses, more than a third (36%) use more than 100 MW and 23% use over 500 MW. The job levels of respondents also varied. Nearly a full third (32%) identified themselves as a senior manager, vice president, director or department head. About a quarter (24%) said they were project, technology or team.
From this wide-ranging pool, the report highlights important industry trends that involve usage, priorities, challenges and the impacts of AI.
Dissatisfaction is Apparent
One of the report’s most important revelations is that many data center managers lack a high degree of trust in their backup systems. Only a third of respondents (34%) said they completely trust them.
When asked about the factors driving them to consider changing their energy storage technology, 50% indicated technology limitations, such as reliability.
Respondents were clear about what was lacking in their current battery technology. When asked what their current battery backup/energy storage technology failed to offer them, those surveyed listed the following top four priorities in order of mention frequency: long life, reliability, sustainability, and cost reduction.
Safety First
Additionally, a large percentage indicated that safety is a serious concern. When selecting an energy storage solution, seven in ten respondents (69%) said safety of battery chemistry was a priority (top priority + high priority).
Lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries exhibit thermal runaway and pose a safety risk. In contrast, a pioneering battery chemistry, such as nickel-zinc (NiZn), retains thermal stability at high discharge rates, and isn’t flammable.
Sustainability and Footprint
The survey showed that sustainability is important to 81% of respondents, with many data centers (64%) assessing supply chain sustainability and tackling Scope 3 emissions.
Creating environmentally friendly data centers has become a key issue as policymakers globally demand operators do more to reduce their carbon footprints. In the United States, the Biden administration last summer met with large tech companies to persuade them to invest in climate-friendly power sources to offset the spike in electricity demand. Regulators in the European Union have begun requiring data centers to report energy consumption emissions and performance metrics as part of an effort to reduce greenhouse gasses 55% by 2030.
At the same time, a growing number of regional groups have cropped up in recent years to oppose the building of new data centers.
Not only can investing in eco-friendly systems and procedures help data centers become better neighbors, but two-thirds of the survey’s respondents (63%) said that their organization’s sustainability programs have resulted in some cost reductions, with one in five (19%) seeing significant cost reductions.
Stored Energy Opportunities
In the ultra-competitive climate data centers now find themselves, operating at maximum efficiency and controlling costs is paramount.
Rising demand for AI applications will continue to drive up energy and operating expenses for data centers. The survey indicated that energy storage is an area within data centers where cost savings can be found.
Two in three survey respondents said the lifetime cost consideration/total cost of ownership of energy storage was a priority. When it came to the cost of battery types, nearly 60% of respondents graded nickel-zinc second highest (excellent + very good + good) just behind lead-acid.
2024 Data Center Energy Storage Industry Insights Report
Read ReportThe report illustrated the many changes occurring in data centers and the equal number of challenges. But the survey also showed how respondents have begun turning to new cost-saving, eco-friendly and safer technologies, such as nickel-zinc to help them thrive in today’s competitive environment.
Data Center Backup Power: Unlocking Shorter UPS Runtimes
As businesses increasingly rely on digital infrastructure, uptime is everything; even a brief power outage can have severe consequences. Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems are the first defense against downtime, ensuring continuous power flow. Recent advancements in generator technology and power architecture have enabled faster automatic failover processes, creating the opportunity for reduced UPS battery runtimes. Data centers that once relied on 30-minute runtimes are now embracing runtimes of under five minutes – and now, many are aiming for three-minute runtimes.
This race to reduce UPS runtime has made traditional battery technologies, like lead-acid, struggle to deliver short-term power cost-effectively. Short-term, high-power applications require batteries with both high power density – the ability to release vast amounts of power over a short time – and high discharge rates. However, lead-acid batteries have a relatively low energy density, which forces data centers to purchase and deploy more of them to handle the required load.
Meanwhile, some alternatives like lithium-ion batteries are constrained by lower discharge rates due to their risk of thermal runaway. The built-in safety mechanisms of lithium-ion battery management systems (BMS) trigger automatic shutdowns if the discharge current exceeds preset thresholds. While this safeguard helps prevent battery fires, it also effectively cripples the UPS system when it’s needed most. And in both lithium and lead-acid batteries, a single failed cell blocks the current flow from surrounding cells, creating an open circuit that can bring down the entire battery string in an outage.
AI’s impact on data center power requirements
Read PostTo compensate for these shortcomings, data centers have long resorted to oversizing their battery banks. By purchasing more cabinets than strictly necessary, they aim to ensure an adequate power supply during failover events. However, this approach comes at a steep cost – both in upfront expenses, and in valuable floor space that could otherwise be used for revenue-generating servers. These challenges are prompting operators to explore innovative solutions, like nickel-zinc batteries, to optimize their backup power systems.
Combining high power density with high discharge rates, nickel-zinc batteries bring a new level of reliability, safety, and cost-effectiveness to short-term high-power applications. Nickel-zinc batteries provide three times the power density of lead-acid and twice the carrying capability of lithium-ion batteries. Their added reliability stems from nickel-zinc battery cells’ ability to transmit power from the rest of the string, even if an individual cell is weak or depleted. This sets them apart from lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries – in which a single weak or depleted cell cripples the entire string – and ensures that the UPS system remains operational during vital seconds of failover.
In addition, nickel-zinc batteries don’t need the safety controls that constrain lithium chemistries. Since they’re incapable of thermal runaway, their BMS are designed to maintain optimal performance during rapid bursts of energy discharge, without the risk of automatic shutdowns. Their robust design enables them to deliver the vast amounts of short-term power needed to seamlessly bridge the gap between utility power loss and generator startup.
Runtime Optimization: As Data Centers Reduce UPS Runtimes, The Right Batteries Become More Critical
Read PostCombining greater reliability with greater power density and a high discharge rate, nickel-zinc technology empowers data centers to right-size their battery banks by eliminating the need for – and cost of – extra batteries to shore up system reliability. For instance, a typical 1MW UPS design with a 3-minute runtime target would require six or more lead-acid battery cabinets, and five or more lithium-ion battery cabinets. Meanwhile, nickel-zinc batteries can comfortably meet the same requirement with just three cabinets. By reclaiming this valuable floor space, data centers can allocate more room for revenue-generating equipment such as servers. And with fewer battery cabinets to purchase, install, and maintain, operators can benefit from significant upfront and operational savings – especially considering nickel-zinc batteries’ 15+ year lifespan and low maintenance needs.
As an added benefit, nickel-zinc batteries are also more sustainable than lithium-ion or lead-acid batteries. Their lifetime greenhouse gas emissions are four times lower than lead-acid batteries, and six times lower than lithium-ion batteries. As data centers and clients come under growing scrutiny for their carbon footprint, nickel-zinc batteries allow operators to offer their clients reduced Scope 3 emissions and compliance with stricter environmental standards.
As UPS runtimes continue to shrink, it’s crucial to choose a battery that consistently delivers vast short-term power during these critical moments. Nickel-zinc batteries provide the reliability and safety that data centers need to navigate the challenges of short-duration discharge, along with cost-saving efficiencies. By harnessing the potential of advanced battery technologies like nickel-zinc, operators can have confidence that their UPS systems will perform flawlessly when called upon and deliver unparalleled levels of performance, reliability, and efficiency.
Previously published by Data Center Frontier
Three ways to sustainably optimize your backup power system
Data center power backup systems are not always top of mind for facility operators – but they’re essential to avert crippling outages that often cost over $100,000.
In the event of a power outage, these systems provide the necessary backup power to keep data centers running and prevent data loss or downtime. However, building and maintaining an efficient and reliable backup power system can be complex and expensive.
Effective data center operators should have a strong understanding of their backup power systems so they can identify and execute opportunities to optimize them.
Optimization of backup power systems will inherently involve maximizing reliability and minimizing cost. However, there are additional characteristics to consider as well, such as safety and sustainability.
The environmental impact of data centers has gained increasing attention in recent years as businesses face growing pressures from investors, consumers, and regulatory agencies to incorporate sustainability into their operations.
To improve the sustainability of backup power systems without sacrificing reliability, operators will need to take into consideration the components that make up these systems, including the uninterruptible power supply (UPS), genset starters, and the generators themselves.
The UPS
The UPS is a critical component of a data center power system. In the event of a utility power outage, it provides immediate backup power to sensitive equipment like servers, cooling systems, and switches.
The UPS, operating via its batteries, acts as an essential bridge while the data center’s generator prepares to take over. However, the reliability of the UPS can be affected by battery performance.
UPS systems must contain backup batteries that perform reliably under any circumstances. UPS batteries must perform in parallel strings to provide adequate power and run time to the UPS in the event of an outage.
In lead-acid and lithium batteries, if any single cell in one of these batteries fails, one of the battery strings does not operate. This risks potentially making the data center’s UPS unable to supply enough power or run time when an outage occurs.
Traditional UPS systems use lead-acid batteries, which are heavy, bulky, and require regular maintenance and replacement. One strategy to improve a UPS system’s reliability is using nickel-zinc (NiZn) batteries.
Unlike cells in lead-acid or lithium-ion batteries, cells in NiZn batteries remain conductive even if weakened or depleted. This allows the battery string to continue operating and makes what would otherwise be an emergency, into a simple note for replacement at the next planned maintenance cycle – no added maintenance costs or operational impact.
In addition to being more reliable, NiZn batteries are also more power-dense than either lithium or lead batteries. Over a short timeframe, they can discharge over twice the power of leading lithium-ion batteries.
This makes them the ideal option for a data center UPS, as less space is required to temporarily power the facility during an outage. This allows more real estate within the data center to be dedicated toward revenue-generating hardware such as servers and storage, increasing the center’s profits as well as its reliability.
The Sustainability Advantages of Nickel-Zinc Batteries
Read PostAlternative UPS batteries also offer an opportunity to improve data center sustainability. For example, because nickel and zinc are four and five times more abundant in the Earth’s crust than lead and lithium, and boast more sustainable mining and manufacturing processes, NiZn batteries have six times the GHG avoidance compared to lithium-ion, and four times relative to lead-acid. They also reduce overall water usage, eliminate volatile organic compounds during manufacturing, and are non-flammable.
The generator starter
The generator starter is another critical battery-related component of a data center backup power system, as generators can’t provide needed power if the engine doesn’t start. According to Cummins Power Generation, “weak or undercharged starting batteries are the most common cause of standby power system failures.”
A data center generator’s ability to act as primary power or as a last resort in mission-critical backup applications is gated by the availability and reliability of the starting batteries.
While lead-acid batteries are the industry standard for generator starting batteries, they’re unfortunately not the most reliable choice. One alternative is using nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries, which have proved over several decades to be more reliable and longer-lasting than lead-acid batteries.
However, Ni-Cd battery systems are expensive and require much more space than lead-acid systems. Like lead-acid batteries, Ni-Cd batteries also contain toxic heavy metals.
By using NiZn batteries in genset starters, data center managers can improve the reliability of their backup power systems and reduce costs. Like Ni-Cd, NiZn offers a much longer life than lead-acid. With safe and powerful performance over the past decade, NiZn batteries have also proven to be:
- The smallest and lightest-weight starting energy source for data center class gensets
- One of the lowest maintenance, requiring no regular battery maintenance
- The longest life of currently available engine starting batteries
- An ideal energy storage device for engine starting due to no thermal runaway, high power density delivering high cold cranking amps, high cycle-life, and recyclability
Data Center Modernization: Building for Power Density
Read PostThe power delivery and long-life advantages of NiZn chemistry make these batteries ideal for high-reliability, cold-cranking amps generator applications. A NiZn generator starter battery system provides the same power as an equivalent lead-acid battery system, in a 75 percent smaller footprint – freeing up valuable space in the data center.
While lead-acid batteries require frequent maintenance and replacement, the service life of NiZn engine starting battery systems exceeds ten years and needs no regular battery maintenance.
Today, integrated NiZn engine starting systems can effectively replace the entire lead-acid battery, charger, and control system.
These integrated systems simplify the entire starting battery system while improving reliability and sustainability, lowering lifetime costs, and eliminating the hassle of lead-acid battery maintenance and replacement.
The generator
While the importance of generators cannot be understated, they pose environmental challenges, primarily due to their reliance on fossil fuels. A series of strategies have been developed to strike a balance between maintaining generator reliability and promoting sustainability.
One of the most effective ways to reduce the carbon footprint of generators is by switching fuel sources. For example, several data center facilities are beginning to replace diesel with biofuels, which are made from organic materials and are a more sustainable choice compared to traditional fossil fuels. They burn cleaner, reducing the emission of greenhouse gases.
High-efficiency generators offer superior performance with lower fuel consumption and emissions. While the initial investment may be higher, the long-term benefits in terms of reduced emissions and operational costs are substantial.
Finally, running generators at optimal loads can significantly improve their efficiency and reduce fuel consumption. Implementing load monitoring systems can help manage power distribution effectively, ensuring generators operate at their most efficient level.
While generators are an indispensable part of data center backup power systems, there is ample scope to enhance their sustainability. By adopting greener fuels, investing in high-efficiency models, and optimizing power load, operators can make significant strides toward a more sustainable system without compromising on reliability.
Modular Data Centers: The Rising Trend and Ideal Applications
Read PostWhen developing a new data center, modular construction techniques allow more efficient use of resources, reduced waste, and easier implementations of sustainable technologies.
In conclusion, building and maintaining a reliable data center backup power system requires careful consideration of the components involved. The UPS batteries, genset starter, and generator all play a crucial role in ensuring the continuity of data center operations and must be both reliable and sustainable.
Data center professionals must understand and optimize their backup systems to sustainably maintain business continuity and reduce the risk of costly downtime.
Previously published by Data Center Dynamics
Balancing AI’s potential and pitfalls in data center operations
The number of greenfield hyperscale data centers is surging — and is expected to continue growing. Grand View Research anticipates growth of 13% each year through 2030.
This new infrastructure buildout is fueling the most challenging workloads that the computing industry has ever undertaken, with compute requirements of large language model training growing at a clip of at least 1.5 times Moore’s Law (which observes that the that the number of transistors on an integrated circuit doubles every two years with minimal rise in cost).
But when we peer into underlying GPU power requirements to fuel this training, we discover platforms that gobble energy at startling rates. NVIDIA’s new Blackwell GPUs, the solution of choice for hyperscalers’ largest training deployments in 2024, consume a whopping 1200 watts per GPU, more than 70% higher than the previous generation. (That said, the company says they contribute to more efficient processes because their increased power means that fewer are required per workload.) When you look at the Grace Blackwell platform, the data is even more eye-opening, with an energy draw of 2700 W per system.
Given that traditional data centers deliver five to 10 kW per server rack, it is abundantly clear that these new powerhouses require fundamental power delivery changes to maintain rack density.
What are hyperscalers doing to address this? Well, in greenfield environments, the solution starts with delivery of more power per rack with new configurations: 30 kW per rack and beyond, with some reports forecasting rack power scaling up to 200 kW. This enables providers to deploy increased compute density per rack to scale compute capability in training clusters further.
AI’s impact on data center power requirements
Read PostThis also, of course, delivers an exponential increase in heat. Operators are turning to direct liquid and immersion cooling solutions as the only alternatives to dissipate heat generated by these powerful configurations. The debate over when liquid cooling should replace air cooling technologies, at least in these hyperscale environments, is all but over. Air cooling simply cannot address the heat generation of these high-powered GPUs.
Operators are also paying special attention to the cradle-to-grave sustainability of data center environments, with more focus on embedded carbon, power consumption at use, and infrastructure circularity in alignment with corporate carbon commitments. In pursuing these efforts, 63% of respondents to ZincFive’s 2024 Data Center Energy Storage Industry Insights Report survey found that their organizations’ sustainability programs resulted in reduced costs. The same survey found that sustainability was the second highest consideration when selecting energy storage solutions.
As operators build out high-density, high-power capacity racks, a new approach to power backup must also be considered given the sheer scale of power draw within the cluster — and the mission criticality of training runs to the underlying business opportunity. Here, we see new approaches to both immediate and long-term battery backup also coming under new consideration.
In particular, new battery chemistries have the potential to offer something that lithium-ion or lead acid cannot. A nickel-zinc chemistry, for instance, delivers immediate power backup that is tailored for unexpected AI training cluster outages, delivering power failover prior to server reboot or generator ignition. It also has improved power density — taking up less valuable real estate space in the data center — and has no risk of thermal runaway.
The Rise of Immediate Power Solutions (IPS): Transforming Data Centers
Read BlogAs we approach the second half of the decade, the growth of hyperscalers is set to continue, driven by the expanding potential of AI. With use cases limited only by human creativity, AI adoption will inevitably grow — but faces constraints due to the capacity of data centers to scale and meet evolving power demands.
Finding safe, reliable, and sustainable infrastructure and energy solutions will fuel the next wave of innovation, whether through new technologies, strategies, or partnerships. These solutions will have to be identified and implemented across various fronts, including the sourcing, use, and storage of power. Fortunately, many of these solutions are already emerging.
Previously published by Latitude Media.
Tackling operational challenges in modern data centers
Rapid advancements in technology, customer demands, and product availability can present major challenges for data center operators who want to keep their facilities competitive, efficient, and profitable. Navigating these current and emerging challenges can be the critical factor in distinguishing your data center’s reliability and caliber of service from the competition.
1. Supply chain issues
Supply chain bottlenecks continue to plague data centers, as shortages of critical components and materials lead to delays in shipping, sliding project timelines, and increased costs for customers. Many data center operators have become unable to meet their need for affected equipment such as generators, UPS batteries, transformers, servers, building materials, and other big-ticket items. This gap in availability is leading many to settle for any readily available items, even if not from their preferred vendor.
Data center operators are addressing this challenge by diversifying their portfolios to reduce reliance on single sources or regions. This diversification often involves looking past traditional solutions to consider alternatives. Adopting alternative approaches that use readily available materials can speed up the supply chain.
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Read PostLonger contracts to purchase capacity for future delivery also help reduce supply chain delays. And of course, building strong relationships with suppliers and vendors can help ensure access to necessary components and materials.
2. Reliable electricity access
The continuous heavy power consumption of data centers can strain local electrical utility systems with limited supply or transmission capacity. This poses a question of whether areas heavily populated with data centers, like Northern Virginia, Columbus, and Pittsburgh, have enough electricity capacity, and if they should only be permitted to use a certain percentage of grid power. This shortage creates setbacks in approving the construction of new facilities.
These utilities are growing hesitant to permit data centers due to the risk to grid reliability, especially with the high costs associated with outages. According to Uptime Institute, 80 percent of surveyed data center managers and operators said their organizations have experienced outages in the past three years, with power disruptions accounting for 43 percent of all outages. However, it is important to note that the nature of power outages is changing. While the number of outage rates is falling, the outages that do occur are more costly. Appropriate backup power strategies are necessary to reduce downtime and associated costs.
Energy-efficient equipment is an effective way to reduce overall demand on the grid. With utilities limiting the number of data centers and other large facilities they permit in a given area, offering an energy-efficient facility can make it more likely to have a project preferred over others. There are multiple ways to reduce data center energy use, which can not only help reduce costs, but also showcase to utilities that your facility will be responsible with the precious power that is being supplied to it.
3. Sustainability
Like the rest of the world, data centers are now facing a climate crisis as temperatures and weather events soar. Data centers are also seeking ways to increase their power load and serve higher client demand, without significantly increasing their electricity and emissions burdens. Solutions that help decouple power load and emissions will help data operators prepare for increased emissions regulations and clients’ growing awareness of the need for sustainable data center operations.
How to achieve sustainable data center backup systems
Read PostSustainable equipment solutions can reduce Scope 3 emissions and attract clients by helping them adhere to reporting requirements. Other ways to increase a data center’s sustainability include incorporating clean energy into its power supply, reusing waste heat, and cooling options that use less water; the green Wyoming Hyperscale data center uses several of these options.
4. Increased data demands
The rapid adoption of AI, machine learning, IoT devices, and cloud computing results in customer demand that drives rack power densities. In the US alone, McKinsey’s analysis shows that demand is expected to increase from 17 GW in 2022 to 35 GW by 2030. This will require more equipment, mainly servers, to increase data center capacity. But the larger the data center’s footprint, the more expensive it is to manage and maintain. This is especially true for the rising number of data centers constructed in urban areas, with higher real estate prices and related taxes.
The more power one can fit into a smaller real estate footprint, the less expensive real estate costs are relative to the revenue generated. For instance, modular data centerscan reduce the footprint and cost of containerized electrical rooms by using smaller, more power-dense equipment.
Smaller equipment footprints, especially for infrastructure, make more room for servers and for profits. The key is to do more with less space, and maximizing physical space leads to more efficient operations.
5. Labor shortages
As the data industry expands, meeting the demand for a large, skilled workforce has been difficult. We’ve seen personnel constraints for positions in operations, field technicians, maintenance, and even construction professionals. This shortage causes construction delays, increased labor costs, and unreliable project timelines.
Data centers can help fill this labor gap by investing in training programs, partnering with educational institutions, building awareness of industry career opportunities, and providing datacenter-specific curricula to local colleges and universities.
In conclusion, while it may initially seem daunting for data center operators to overcome these challenges, many of the proposed solutions can be addressed simultaneously. For instance, smaller and more efficient equipment can improve sustainability and help meet increased data demand by freeing up floor space for more servers, while also reducing electricity needs. Such holistic approaches equip data centers to tackle these issues collectively, empowering them to seamlessly transition into the next era of digital infrastructure.
Previously published with Data Center Dynamics
AI’s impact on data center power requirements
We’ve entered the era of AI, and everyone is interested in tapping into its potential – individuals and enterprises alike. It’s easy to imagine that mass adoption of AI could change the world in dramatic ways.
AI, however, isn’t some standalone technology that can be leveraged on its own. To meet current and future demands for AI, the world’s technological infrastructure will have to undergo some major changes. That’s in part because, compared to other existing digital tools, the power draw of AI is immense.
To fully understand the power demands of AI, consider the hypothetical scenario posited in a research paper recently published in the scientific journal Joule: If Google replaced its current search engine with ChatGPT-like technology, its power consumption would soar. In 2021, Google’s total electricity consumption was 18.3 TWh, with AI accounting for 10-15 percent of this total, researcher Alex de Vries noted. But with ChatGPT-like functionality, it would take 29.3 TWh per year just to power Google Search. That’s as much electricity as the entire country of Ireland typically consumes in a year.
To be clear, Google won’t be making this kind of move, for several reasons. Even so, de Vries noted, Nvidia is projected to ship 1.5 million AI server units per year by 2027. Those servers would consume somewhere between 85.5 to 134 TWh of electricity annually.
This brings data center operators to an inflection point. To keep up with modern demands for generative AI, companies will have to either build greenfield data centers or rip and replace their existing infrastructure.
Data Center Modernization: Building for Power Density
Read PostWhat’s more, businesses have to consider exactly how to power their new servers – when building out new power infrastructure for the data center, you don’t want to rely on yesterday’s technology.
In the era of AI, power density in the data center is more important than ever. This should prompt data center architects to consider emerging options like nickel-zinc (NiZn) batteries, an innovation that delivers industry-leading power density.
Every data center has to include a battery backup system (BBU) – either distributed in the server racks or a centralized uninterruptible power supply (UPS) with batteries – to ensure that in the event of a power outage, critical systems keep running and vital data is preserved.
Traditionally, UPS systems have relied on lead-acid batteries. While sticking with the status quo has its advantages, NiZn batteries have twice the power density. For the same level of backup power, NiZn is about half the size and half the weight.
More modern UPS and BBU systems also leverage lithium-ion batteries as an alternative to lead-acid batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are indeed more efficient and denser than lead-acid batteries. As far as data center battery options go, lithium-ion offers the highest energy density.
In other words, lithium-ion batteries will slowly trickle out energy over time but are unable to meet the high power density requirements of modern AI infrastructure.
By comparison, NiZn batteries have a similar energy density to lithium-ion batteries but offer a much higher power density. This means NiZn batteries will safely discharge higher levels of power than other technologies in a smaller space, making it optimal for a power-dense AI infrastructure backup power system that’s expected to leap into action quickly and keep mission-critical systems running, just milliseconds after a power outage.
All told, a power-dense technology amounts to a smaller battery, which means smaller backup systems and a smaller overall footprint – allowing data center operators to power AI solutions without having to add real estate at an untenable pace.
A recent forecast from Synergy Research Group shows how the largest data center operators are already putting more value on power density. According to the research firm, the average capacity of new hyperscale data centers to be opened over the next six years will soon be more than double that of current operational hyperscale data centers.
Higher power density also allows data center operators to better control peak loads – an increasingly important issue in the AI era.
It’s Time to Rethink Data Center Power
Read PostThe power draw of AI compute isn’t a constant. Instead, its power requirements come in ebbs and flows, with higher power draws during training runs or when enterprise-grade models are put into production.
There are several factors aside from power density that will impact the performance and sustainability of data centers in the AI era. When it comes to power generation, heat generation, cooling, and thermal volatility are major considerations.
These are areas where NiZn once again offers notable benefits. With no thermal runway, NiZn batteries can operate over a wider temperature range than other batteries. That means NiZn requires less cooling technology. NiZn batteries also require less safety-related infrastructure than lithium-ion alternatives, which are chemically volatile.
Investing in the infrastructure to support generative AI will take forward-looking strategic decision-making. It’s never easy to invest in emerging technologies, but a revolutionary innovation like generative AI deserves the most future-proof infrastructure.
Previously published with Data Center Dynamics
The Rise of Immediate Power Solutions (IPS): Transforming Data Centers
Driven by the surge in online services, consumer electronics, IoT, and AI adoption, our ever-increasing reliance on digital infrastructure makes data center uptime more crucial than ever. While meeting these rising demands, data center operators must also keep in mind workplace safety, manage rising property costs, and respond to increasing sustainability concerns from both regulators and clients. Together, these factors signal a shift towards backup power solutions that offer greater reliability, space efficiency, and environmental stewardship.
The escalating demands on data centers underscore the need for a new category of energy storage: Immediate Power Solutions (IPS). This emerging classification responds to the evolving landscape of digital infrastructure, distinguishing it from traditional Energy Storage Systems (ESS) by focusing on the immediate, high-rate power essential for critical operations. Where ESS primarily serves long-duration energy storage with a focus on capacity, IPS zeroes in on delivering instant power for short durations and their acute need for reliability, workplace safety, efficient space utilization, and sustainability.
Examining available mission-critical backup applications through the lens of IPS provides clarity on which systems best suit that application. For instance, lead-acid battery technology relies on one of the older battery chemistries in use today. Although lead-acid batteries are often seen as the familiar, “safe” option by many data center operators in powering their uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems, their suitability for IPS – particularly considering current data center demands for safety, reliability, sustainability, and space efficiency – has been surpassed by other, more modern chemistries.
Immediate Power Solutions (IPS): Definition, Benefits, and Impact
Read PostOne alternative considered by data center operators for their UPS systems is lithium-ion. Lithium batteries’ energy density – their ability to release moderate amounts of energy over a long duration – make them well-suited for certain applications such as electric vehicles and cellular phones. However, IPS solutions require greater power density: the ability to release massive amounts of energy within a short timeframe (for instance, the amount of energy needed to power a data center until backup generators come online). Lithium batteries’ potential for thermal runaway also requires specialized safety equipment, which complicates installation and takes up valuable space in data centers.
Fortunately, other technologies have been developed specifically for the needs of IPS. For instance, nickel-zinc chemistries are significantly more power-dense than either lead-acid or lithium batteries. This power density allows them to immediately power an entire data center while taking up less than half the footprint of lead-acid battery systems – allowing greater space for revenue-generating equipment like servers.
Nickel-zinc batteries also offer more reliability than lead-acid and lithium batteries, whose battery strings cannot transmit power in the event of a cell failure. Depleted nickel-zinc battery cells maintain conductivity, allowing the battery system to continue operating and carry the electrical load. This feature significantly reduces the risk of complete system failures during critical power outages. Nickel-zinc batteries are also incapable of thermal runaway and more tolerant of higher temperatures than lithium and lead batteries, adding to their safety and reliability.
Powering the Future: Nickel-Zinc Batteries Unlock Data Centers’ AI Potential
Read PostAs sustainability standards rise for both clients and regulators, environmental impact has become a paramount consideration for immediate power applications – and once again, nickel-zinc batteries deliver. Their lifecycle emissions are 537 percent lower than lithium batteries, and 1,700 lower than lead-acid batteries. A nickel-zinc battery’s lifecycle demands 96% less water than a lithium-ion battery, and 23-33% less energy than that of lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries. Instead of relying on controversial intensive mining practices for lead and lithium, they use the earth-abundant materials of nickel and zinc. Innovative UPS battery technologies like this offer a more power and space-efficient, safer, and sustainable alternative to help data centers uphold their reliability standards.
Until recently, transitioning from lead-acid to advanced battery technologies has faced hurdles like compatibility and high retrofitting costs (often caused by lithium-ion’s need for specialized fire safety equipment). Today, some nickel-zinc UPS cabinets are designed with backward and forward compatibility for straightforward integration into existing UPS systems. This allows operators to easily swap out lead-acid batteries for nickel-zinc solutions and streamlines the upgrade process to more efficient, safer battery solutions without the need for extensive system redesigns.
As data centers power the global economy, the critical role of UPS systems in ensuring uninterrupted operations cannot be overstated. The transition towards IPS shows the demand for more reliable, space-efficient, and environmentally sustainable backup power solutions. Nickel-zinc batteries’ greater reliability, energy density, and safety profile both address immediate operational challenges, and align with forward-looking sustainability goals. By seamlessly integrating into existing systems, they pave the way for a smoother upgrade path to ensure that data centers remain robust and ready for the future.
Previously published by Data Center Dynamics