When it comes to protecting critical operations from power failures, one can never be too prepared, especially with a world that requires 24/7 operations and availability. By definition being properly prepared for a disaster — whether natural or manmade — means having reliable backup power protection so that operations continue to run smoothly. Every mission critical operation has some sort of power backup in place including uninterruptible power systems (UPSs) and generators. So, it’s not a matter of having backup power, but rather incorporating the right technologies to increase protection levels while at the same time decreasing energy costs and carbon footprint. A word to the wise: not all power protection is created equal. According to a number of published studies, the number one cause of a UPS failing to support the load is battery failure.
The traditional means of guaranteeing a continuous power supply has been the use of lead-acid batteries to bridge the gap between the utility outage and the standby generator start. Although a tried-and-tested solution (no one ever got fired for purchasing batteries), batteries come with a heavy environmental cost. They also require continual and expensive maintenance, are heavy, take up a lot of real estate inside a facility, and are slow to recharge. Battery life is a constant concern (Figure 1), as most battery manufacturers state that battery life can be maintained as advertised for at least four years if, and only if, they are kept at a constant 75°F (requires air conditioning) and experience no excessive cycling.