Lithium-ion battery as backup power in data centres

Some data centres have started using lithium-ion batteries instead of lead-acid batteries as UPS for backup power.

Some claim that lithium-ion batteries are more environmentally friendly than lead-acid batteries. Unfortunately, this is not completely true. In order to produce lithium-ion batteries, more minerals must be mined. This, in turn, has a negative effect on the environment. (See What is the difference between lithium and lead-acid battery ).

Since the manufacturers want to make the batteries as small as possible, little spaces is created, posing additional risks. When a battery is overheated, a chemical reaction occurs which can lead to fire or explosion. Poor quality control and improper battery insulation can also cause a risk of explosion.

A battery monitoring system should keep track of the state of the batteries and alert if something is wrong, but if you connect a BMS directly to the lithium-ion battery, this will also cause a risk of explosion.

Despite how popular and modern the lithium-ion batteries are, we would not take a chance to use it in an important back-up power supply.

This is why we collaborate with Batscan. Batscan has developed a completely different system for the standard UPS batteries with lead acid. Batscan has a guaranteed 0% risk of explosion when the installation has been installed correctly.