The demand for UPS is constantly increasing, and UPS with lithium batteries has emerged as a new force. Compared to traditional UPS and lead-acid battery configurations, what are the differences and advantages?

Advantages and disadvantages of various batteries in UPS power supply

Reliability and cost are important requirements for all data centers. UPS power batteries are the main contributor to these priorities

As a contributor, data center managers require energy-saving technologies to ensure business continuity, extend operational lifespan, and

Reduce Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).

Choosing UPS power requires exploring the advantages and disadvantages of different battery technologies. Users need to choose which one will have a direct impact on total cost of ownership (TCO), energy efficiency, and charging rate. Traditional lead-acid batteries account for over 90% of the UPS market, but people's interest in lithium-ion technology has been increasing in recent years.

This is because lithium-ion batteries have a smaller footprint and excellent fast charging capability. In addition, lithium-ion batteries have low maintenance requirements and 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, which can provide similar performance advantages to lithium-ion batteries and have higher energy efficiency than traditional glass fiber separator (AGM) batteries.

The Rise of Lithium ion Battery Technology

The growth of the electric vehicle market has led to the rapid development of lithium-ion battery technology. Lithium ion batteries have high charging acceptance and fast charging capability. This function is very important in areas with frequent power outages. Lithium ion batteries use a Battery Management System (BMS) to control the efficiency and safety of charging.

Charging speed, energy efficiency, and battery life are all factors that attract lithium-ion batteries to UPS power applications. Due to the built-in diagnostic function of the Battery Management System (BMS), the maintenance requirements for these batteries are very low. Lithium ion batteries have a design lifespan of 15 to 20 years at 25 ℃, but have hardly been tested in practice.

Lithium ion batteries are smaller in size and lighter in weight than lead-acid batteries. This allows data centers to recover their footprint from their UPS power supply and use it for data center equipment.