Valve-controlled lead-acid (VRLA) batteries are commonly used in uninterruptible power (UPS) systems. Due to their weight and size, data centers need to have reinforced load-carrying structures. The performance characteristics of VRLA batteries are also affected by temperature, which increases the load on the air conditioning system. VRLA batteries are not particularly durable and need to be replaced on time, which adds to operating costs.
Since there is no economically viable alternative to VRLA batteries, design engineers must live with their shortcomings. In recent years, however, things have changed for lithium-ion batteries. Until now, uninterruptible power systems in data centers have not been feasible due to the lack of a reasonable balance between price, energy, capacity, security and reliability. But advances in electric vehicle technology have solved this problem. The first uninterruptible power system powered by lithium-ion batteries was launched in 2016. Lithium-ion batteries are now used in all the major factories, and this direction has been recognised as the most promising option. According to reports from BloombergNewEnergyFinance, by 2025, lithium ion battery solution will account for 40% of the data center using UPS market.
Advantages and disadvantages of lithium-ion batteries
Consumer electronics companies typically use lithium-cobalt batteries, which can hold multiple amperes, and these uninterruptible power systems carry rectangular lithium-manganese batteries. With a capacity of 60 amps, it is equipped with a longer service life and multiple degrees of failure protection. Sometimes individual modules, and even individual batteries, are responsible for monitoring important performance parameters such as temperature, voltage, and current. Sometimes the power supply cabinet or even the entire system can be responsible for this monitoring process. Monitoring must be performed to fully control the charging and discharging process to prevent critical heating and irreversible chemical processes. Lithium-ion batteries also have higher energy density (Wh/kg) and higher output power density (W/kg). With a similar energy storage capacity and less than a third of the weight of a lead-acid battery, this advantage helps reduce the overall mass of the system by 60-80%.
In recent years, increasing the power density of data centers has become an important goal due to space constraints and the need for more efficient operations. Making available space more efficient is one of the most important jobs for data center owners. Small lithium-ion batteries can reduce the footprint of an uninterrupted power system by 50-80%. Such batteries take less time to charge and discharge themselves at a better rate, which could play an important role when frequent outages occur. When idle, lithium-ion batteries lose about 1-2% of their power per month. The most important advantage is its long service life. Lead-acid batteries have a very short life of three to six years. Lithium-ion batteries, on the other hand, last about 10 years. Depending on chemistry, technology and temperature, lithium-ion batteries have a maintenance-free charge efficiency of up to 5,000 life cycles, compared with an average of 700 life cycles for lead-acid batteries.
Valve-controlled Lead-acid (VRLA) batteries compared with lithium-ion batteries
The total cost of ownership for lithium-ion batteries is 10 years (the average life of a data center UPS), 39% less than for lead-acid batteries. While that is an optimistic estimate, it would guarantee savings of at least 10%. The only serious drawback to lithium-ion batteries is that the initial investment is significantly higher. This is why large data centers have long been pioneers in introducing new solutions. This facility is more about reducing the overall cost of ownership than making a profit in the short term, even if the incremental savings are significant. In addition, the benefits of a small battery make more efficient use of available space, while a reliable monitoring system ensures superior safety and stable performance. Lithium-ion batteries can operate at higher temperatures than VRLA without loss of capacity and reduce the load on the cooling system. Of course, there are even single-phase UPS with lithium-ion batteries. Application models start with the largest data centers, move to industrial applications, and end up in small server rooms or even individual racks.
Easy to replace
The most important question all users end up asking is: Is this the right time to upgrade an uninterruptible power system to a lithium-ion battery? To answer this question, the first thing to consider is the availability of technical capacity. The new batteries will not work on all UPS models, so major hardware and embedded software upgrades may be required. Even at the same nominal voltage, the characteristics of battery charge and discharge will be different.
The life expectancy of a typical UPS system in a data center is typically 10-15 years. Lead-acid batteries last three to six years, while lithium-ion batteries can last up to 10 years or more. In the early life of a UPS system (less than 5 years old), mass replacement of lead-acid batteries can prove useful. However, by switching to lithium-ion batteries, it is likely that they will last until the end of the UPS system's life. If the user's UNinterruptible power system is near mid-life, the battery life may be longer, so in most cases it makes no sense to replace the battery. At the end of its service life, consider replacing its entire UPS system with a new lithium-ion battery solution. But even for older UPS systems, expensive batteries are still easy to install. Users should consider their falling prices and the ratio of maintenance costs to total replacement costs for older systems
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