Overseas data centers have phased out lead-acid batteries.

Although lithium-ion batteries have a higher initial cost than lead-acid batteries, their longer service life, lower maintenance costs, and higher energy efficiency result in a better total cost of ownership (TCO) over the long term.

Microsoft, as a global Data center is one of the leading enterprises in the industry, consistently at the forefront of energy management and technological innovation.

In recent years, Microsoft has adopted lithium-battery technology in its data centers. This transformation marks the global promotion and implementation of the principles of cleanliness, energy efficiency, greenness, and environmental protection.

Although the combination of lead-acid batteries and UPS systems has historically provided reliable power supply for data centers, with the increasing demand for computing power, their energy density, service life, maintenance costs, and Environmental Impact The disadvantages are also becoming increasingly apparent.

Lead-acid batteries are now considered an outdated technology.

Note: Microsoft data center located in Dublin Adopts lithium-ion battery technology It is already helping utility companies avoid emitting carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases by generating power without burning fossil fuels.

Why do global tech giants place such high priority on data center energy-efficiency optimization and its environmental impact?

And this enormous consumption of energy means data centres are enormous emitters of greenhouse gases. Indeed, according to some analyses, global emissions from cloud computing range from 2.5 per cent to 3.7 per cent of all global greenhouse gas emissions, thereby exceeding emissions from commercial flights (which amount to around 2.4 per cent).

The crux of the issue is that data centers consume vast amounts of energy, and this enormous energy consumption implies Data centers are major emitters of greenhouse gases. In fact, according to some analyses, Cloud computing Its global emissions account for 2.5% to 3.7% of total global greenhouse gas emissions, thereby surpassing the emissions from commercial aviation (approximately 2.4%).

As a result, Battery storage materials are now becoming a major priority for the data centre industry. and the sustainability of the energy storage systems that are used by the sector is becoming a key consideration.

Therefore, Battery storage materials are now becoming a top priority in the data center industry. The sustainability of energy storage systems used in this industry is becoming a key consideration.

battery storage technology company zincFive said that the data centre industry is

" evolving rapidly with unprecedented speed and innovation,with battery storage

solutions emerging as a key focus "The report, which was based on a survey of more

than 100 data centre industry professionals, showed that 44 per cent of respondents

said that "sustainability targets/mandates were driving the changes respondents

considered for their energy storage technology".

According to a report based on a survey of more than 100 data center industry professionals, 44% of respondents stated that “sustainability goals and requirements are driving respondents to consider” Transforming Energy Storage Technologies for Data Centers ”。

In fact, as early as 2015, data center companies in developed countries overseas were already committed to Reduce environmental impact by adopting efficient energy management and clean energy technologies.

Over the past decade, the pace of technological innovation in data centers across Europe, North America, and Australia has accelerated, with one notable shift being the gradual replacement of traditional lead-acid batteries with lithium-ion batteries. This trend has been especially pronounced in Australia.

Over the past decade, the pace of technological innovation in data centers in Europe, the United States, and Australia has accelerated. One significant transformation is the gradual replacement of traditional lead-acid batteries with lithium-ion batteries. This trend is particularly pronounced in Australia.

About five years ago, data centers in Australia almost completely ceased purchasing lead-acid batteries, instead universally adopting more advanced, efficient, and environmentally friendly lithium batteries as their backup power solution.

About five years ago, Australia’s Data centers have almost completely halted the procurement of lead-acid batteries. Instead, it has become widely adopted. More advanced, efficient, and environmentally friendly lithium batteries As a backup power solution.

Overseas data center operators and customers have higher requirements for energy efficiency, reliability, flexibility, and environmental impact; therefore, More inclined to adopt lithium batteries. They believe that such cutting-edge technology It is only natural to embrace and apply new technologies.

Banks of lithium-ion batteries at a Microsoft datacenter in Dublin will be a part of the solution to this problem later this year.

These batteries, which typically provide backup power for the datacenter in case of emergency, have been certified, tested and approved for connection to the grid in a way that helps grid operators provide uninterrupted service when demand exceeds the supply generated elsewhere on the grid by wind, solar and other sources.

“Providing this grid service is a way for us to unlock the value of the datacenter,” said Nur Bernhardt, a senior program manager for energy at Microsoft.

Located in Dublin, Lithium-ion battery packs in Microsoft data centers typically provide backup power during emergencies, and these lithium-battery products have been certified, tested, and approved.

Although lithium-ion batteries have a higher initial cost than lead-acid batteries, their longer service life, lower maintenance costs, and higher energy efficiency make them more cost-effective in the long run. It offers a better total cost of ownership (TCO) in the long run.

According to Baringa, an energy advisory firm commissioned by Microsoft to assess the technology’s potential impact, if grid-interactive UPS systems were to replace the grid services currently provided by fossil-fuel power plants in Ireland and Northern Ireland, approximately two million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions could be avoided in 2025.

“This is definitely moving the dial on emissions at a national level,” said Mark Turner, a partner in Baringa’s energy practice who helped perform the analysis.

Two million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions is about one-fifth of the total emissions expected across the island of Ireland from the power sector in 2025. , he explained.

Moreover, by leveraging grid-interactive UPS technology for grid services, end consumers across Ireland would save tens of millions of dollars on fuel and other costs required to maintain the spinning reserve at coal and natural gas fired power plants.

A Microsoft executive stated that if the company’s Dublin data center were to adopt lithium-ion battery technology to deliver services locally, it could avoid approximately 2 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions by 2025.

The primary purpose of the UPS system is to provide power conditioning for the servers. The UPS system remains continuously operational, ensuring protection for the servers. In 2015, Microsoft began exploring the potential of leveraging these assets.

In 2015, Microsoft began exploring the potential of innovative lithium-battery technologies—building on earlier technological advancements—to provide power protection for data-center servers, a pursuit that continues to this day.

International giants such as Microsoft are adopting lithium batteries not only to Enhancing the operational efficiency of our data centers is also a proactive response to global climate change and a driving force behind green, low-carbon development.