UPS with Lithium-Ion batteries provide power protection to critical equipment in edge, residential necessities, distributed IT applications and data centers. They last 2-3 times lengthier than those with lead-acid batteries, resulting in less battery replacements and lesser labor charges.
With reduced size and lesser weight, lithium-ion batteries for UPS systems save space, improve setting flexibility and address defined floor weight thresholds.
WHETHER LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES BETTER CHOICE THAN VRLA BATTERIES
Lithium-ion batteries are a common energy storage source for millions of consumer devices and electric vehicles. They are now also increasingly being used with Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) applications to ensure uptime for mission-critical infrastructures in data centers. For companies wishing to deploy distributed computing and edge networks, lithium-ion batteries are ideal for use with IT deployments in remote locations.
Lithium-ion batteries require less maintenance and have a higher power density than lead-acid batteries. Lithiumion batteries last 2-3 times longer than lead-acid batteries, resulting in fewer battery replacements and lower TCO. Also, lithium-ion batteries include a Battery Monitoring System (BMS) and other features that help to ensure safe battery operation. While the initial cost of lithium-ion batteries is still moderately higher than lead-acid batteries, this difference is shrinking. Lithium-ion batteries can now provide a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) than lead acid batteries in less than five years. Over the typical service life of a UPS, a lithium-ion battery system can provide savings of 40% or more.
Lithium-ion batteries require less maintenance and have a higher power density than lead-acid batteries. Lithiumion batteries last 2-3 times longer than lead-acid batteries, resulting in fewer battery replacements and lower TCO. Also, lithium-ion batteries include a Battery Monitoring System (BMS) and other features that help to ensure safe battery operation. While the initial cost of lithium-ion batteries is still moderately higher than lead-acid batteries, this difference is shrinking. Lithium-ion batteries can now provide a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) than lead acid batteries in less than five years. Over the typical service life of a UPS, a lithium-ion battery system can provide savings of 40% or more.
ARE LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES SAFE
Numerous standards and testing protocols have been developed to provide direction on how to safely construct and apply lithium-ion batteries (see Table 2). Underwriters Laboratories (UL) has developed listings for using lithium-ion batteries in UPS applications. The 2018 National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Fire Code 1 references UL 1973 standard for lithium-ion batteries used in data center applications
UL 1973, the standard for batteries used in stationary applications, deals with the battery system as a whole. It covers battery cabinet safety and is required by most electrical inspectors and building insurance carriers. This standard outlines a series of safety tests on issues affecting batteries, such as overcharging, short circuit, overdischarge and high temperature. These standards and testing protocols entail product safety tests to assess a battery’s ability to withstand certain types of abuse. Safe transport of LIB engendered additional standards. UN (United Nations) 3480 and 3481 cover transportation safety testing for all lithium metal and lithium-ion cells and batteries. The protocols have yielded different tests focused on transportation hazards.
UL 1973, the standard for batteries used in stationary applications, deals with the battery system as a whole. It covers battery cabinet safety and is required by most electrical inspectors and building insurance carriers. This standard outlines a series of safety tests on issues affecting batteries, such as overcharging, short circuit, overdischarge and high temperature. These standards and testing protocols entail product safety tests to assess a battery’s ability to withstand certain types of abuse. Safe transport of LIB engendered additional standards. UN (United Nations) 3480 and 3481 cover transportation safety testing for all lithium metal and lithium-ion cells and batteries. The protocols have yielded different tests focused on transportation hazards.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN CHOOSING A LITHIUM ION BATTERY
Lead-acid batteries have long been the default backup power choice for the uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) that ensure the availability of data centers, communications equipment, and industrial processes.While they provide the power and reliability required for these applications, when supported with appropriate monitoring and maintenance practices, they have traditionally been regarded as the weak link in the critical power chain. They tend to be high maintenance, heavy and require frequent replacement.
Now, lithium-ion batteries have emerged as a viable alternative and a growing number of users are evaluating this technology for UPS applications in mission-critical environments. The considerations when analyzing the suitability of Li-ion chemistries include
Now, lithium-ion batteries have emerged as a viable alternative and a growing number of users are evaluating this technology for UPS applications in mission-critical environments. The considerations when analyzing the suitability of Li-ion chemistries include
- Lifespan
- Charging and discharging rates
- Cost including acquisition and maintenance costs
- Safety and environmental impact
