The Race to Reduce UPS Runtime: Why Backup Battery Selection Matters More Than Ever

In the high-stakes world of data centers, where downtime can spell disaster, the quest for reliable, uninterrupted power is crucial. When utility power goes down, data center Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems immediately turn to backup batteries to provide power until the generators come online. This ensures business continuity for servers housed at that facility and prevents costly downtime, loss of revenue, and potential damage to the company’s reputation. 

Known as “battery backup runtime,” this transitional period has been slashed from 30 minutes to under 5 minutes within the last decade by advanced generator technologies and power architectures. Now, many new designs plan to shift their facilities to generator power in 3 minutes or less. The reduction in battery runtime provides a valuable opportunity for data center owners to optimize their UPS systems for reliability and cost savings. 

For instance, many data center UPS systems currently rely on lead-acid batteries – which typically are not optimized for runtimes under 5 minutes. Re-evaluating the “tried and true” backup battery chemistries can reveal better options with greater reliability and safety during short-term, high-power discharges, a reduced footprint, and lower total cost of ownership. 

Harry Handlin, U.S. Data Center Segment Leaders at ABB says: “Many data centers are selecting runtimes less than 5 minutes to optimize cost and minimize footprint. These customers have realized long ago that 5 minutes of UPS battery runtime does not provide added protection. If a generator fails to start, the problem cannot be corrected in 5 minutes or even 15 minutes.”