Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries offer significant benefits over the traditional valve-regulated lead-acid batteries (VRLA) used in data centers. For smaller centers, like those in medium to small businesses, the change could be very dramatic. Here are six reasons your organization should consider making the switch.
Less Space Required
VRLA batteries require a lot of space. Some companies even build separate battery rooms to house the power system. Li-ion batteries can reduce the space needed by about two-thirds. Think about having more IT space to grow your network.
Cooling Costs Reduction
The equipment in a data center can tolerate higher temperatures than the VRLA battery. If you are raising the temperature in your data center to reduce your costs, it’s probably that the VRLA batteries in the same room will need to be replaced quicker because those batteries cannot tolerate the heat. Li-ion batteries are better equipped to be in the same room as your other equipment without deteriorating as quick as their VRLA equivalent.
Scalability for Growth
Many companies today are using modules to grow their system over time. Li-ion batteries are much more scalable and adaptable into the architecture that is being designed for data centers. Instead of worrying about where your organization needs to house more equipment and batteries to expand, the Li-ion batteries provide more options. Avoid costly remodeling when your business is ready to add on to your data center.
Better Performance
Li-ion batteries last much longer than VRLA batteries, almost twice as long. Because the Li-ion batteries come with better monitoring systems, it’s easier for an IT team to measure the health of the battery and know when it needs to be replaced. It’s much like the battery monitoring system of your smartphone, while the VRLA is similar to your car battery. You never know when it might fail, leaving you stranded. Less maintenance and concern come with better performance. This lets your staff focus concern on higher priority ticket items.
Environmentally Friendly
By reducing the cooling costs and space requirements of a network, it adds to the eco-friendly statistics of your organization which cannot be overlooked in today’s business environments. Clients are looking for businesses which do care about their energy use and power consumption Li-ion batteries offer some unique features to help reduce the carbon footprint of your business.
Less Replacement Costs
VRLA batteries are often replaced every five to six years, even though it should have a life of about 10 years. This is because of the unpredictability of the battery. An Li-ion battery lasts much longer than 10 years, which reduces battery replacement costs.
