HOW CHANGING OPERATING CONDITIONS ARE RESHAPING BATTERY PERFORMANCE, AND WHAT OPERATORS CAN DO TO STAY AHEAD

The data center environment in North America has changed quickly over the past few years. Rising power density, higher ambient temperatures, accelerated AI adoption, and more demanding uptime expectations are reshaping how facilities operate.

Yet one part of the power infrastructure often continues on an old schedule: the UPS battery refresh cycle.

Across many U.S. data centers, operators are noticing that UPS batteries, particularly VRLA-technology based designs, are responding differently as environments evolve. VRLA technology continues to deliver strong performance in many scenarios, but conditions inside today’s data halls influence aging patterns in ways not seen a decade ago.

This gap between planned replacement and real-world performance is becoming a meaningful planning factor for operators focused on uptime and cost control in mission-critical environments.

TPPL: AN ADVANCEMENT FOR TODAY’S EVOLVING CONDITIONS

TPPL technology uses extremely thin plates made from 99.99% pure lead. This version of VRLA chemistry offers several advantages for facilities experiencing higher operational stress:

✔  LOWER INTERNAL RESISTANCE:
Supports faster recharge and more consistent high-rate discharge.

✔  BETTER PERFORMANCE AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURES:
Maintains more stable operation across the real-world thermal profile of modern data halls.

✔  IMPROVED EFFICIENCY:
Lower float current can help reduce heat and related cooling demands.

✔  LONGER, MORE STABLE SERVICE LIFE:
Supports predictable performance in short-duration (5–15 minutes) autonomy applications.

Importantly: TPPL technology isn’t a replacement for VRLA batteries. It is an additional option for environments where conditions exceed typical VRLA battery design expectations. For many operators trying to strengthen reliability without redesigning their UPS architecture, this chemistry offers a practical path forward.

The next step forward for the DataSafe® HX battery range

WHY THIS MATTERS FOR AI-DRIVEN GROWTH

The rise of AI is reshaping everything from rack density to cooling strategy inside data centers. According to independent research analyzed by Network World (based on Omdia data), AI-related network traffic is on track to nearly double in one year, from 39 exabytes in 2024 to 79 exabytes in 2025, and is projected to outgrow traditional traffic patterns by 2031, reflecting AI’s impact on traffic dynamics and demand.

Rapid ramping, peak loads, shorter autonomy periods, and more aggressive cooling strategies all place new expectations on UPS energy storage.

TPPL-based DataSafe^® HX batteries provide the performance foundation needed to support:

• Fast load swings
• Higher peak demand
• Short-duration high-rate discharge
• More frequent recharge cycles

As AI adoption grows, the chemistry supporting UPS batteries becomes increasingly important in long-term power planning.

NEXT STEPS FOR DATA CENTER OPERATORS

If you're planning your next UPS battery refresh or want guidance on how TPPL and VRLA battery technology options can support your site’s differing performance and efficiency goals, EnerSys can help you evaluate the fit.

Talk with the EnerSys Data Center team

We can help assess runtime expectations, temperature conditions, cycling behavior, and upgrade paths tailored to your facility.

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