Data centers are under pressure like never before.

Global capital investment in the industry is expected to reach $6.7 trillion dollars by 2030 – driven largely by AI. While key industry players need to keep up with demand, they must also do so prudently by keeping opex and capex under control.

The rise of artificial intelligence is also fueling unprecedented electricity consumption. Global electricity demand from data centers is expected to more than double by 2030, reaching 945 TWh annually – roughly equivalent to Japan’s entire electricity consumption.

Given the potential strain on the grid, operators must consider how data center campuses can become more energy efficient.

Meanwhile, demand for data center real estate remains high, while supply is strained. In Q1 2025, rental rates across North America rose; the same is true in Europe across four key markets. Globally, weighted average vacancy rates dropped 2.1 percent year-on-year in the first half of 2025. Limited and costly land mean data center operators must maximize use of existing whitespace.

UPS batteries for data centers: A missed opportunity?

Anyone working in the data center industry already understands the importance of a UPS battery backup system. Batteries are the first line of defense against downtime – kicking in immediately to power the data center in case of an outage.

While various battery chemistries populate the current market, lead-acid remains a popular choice.

Among other reasons, lead batteries are:

• Around 99 percent recyclable – helping data centers meet sustainability goals.
• Largely compatible with existing data center systems, reducing the likelihood of costly system overhauls.

In short, lead-acid batteries can be beneficial. And yet, too many data centers select batteries which do not align with their long-term strategic goals, making their UPS battery backup system a missed opportunity.

How inefficient lead-acid batteries can hinder data center operations

Lead-acid batteries that rely on non-lead alloys such as calcium or antimony often operate less efficiently than their pure-lead counterparts; the impact on data center operations can be significant. These design choices introduce often overlooked costs and operational challenges that go beyond the initial purchase price.

Non-lead alloy-based batteries can be more prone to faster grid corrosion. As the positive grid deteriorates, conductivity drops and structural integrity weakens, leading to premature battery failure. For data centers, this can mean more frequent replacements, resulting in higher capital expenditure.

The same batteries also typically exhibit higher internal resistance. Maintaining a float charge becomes less efficient, requiring more power just to keep the system stable. The practical effect for data centers is twofold: higher energy bills and additional strain on the electrical grid – an issue that’s drawing increasing scrutiny from grid operators as they evaluate the industry’s energy footprint.

Moreover, the use of non-lead alloys often necessitates thicker plates to maintain durability, reducing energy density. For data centers, this translates into needing more batteries to meet their energy needs. Consuming valuable whitespace – that could otherwise house revenue-generating servers – can be costly at a time when rental rates are on the rise.

Aligning UPS batteries with strategic data center goals

Achieving long-term data center goals necessitates a holistic approach towards data center operations – an approach which includes scrutinizing the operations of UPS batteries.

Compared with other lead-acid batteries, advanced thin plate pure lead (TPPL) technology from EnerSys takes a fundamentally different approach to battery design.

TPPL batteries use pure lead for both the grid and the active material. Unlike conventional lead-acid batteries that incorporate calcium or antimony alloys into the grid, TPPL grids are made from approximately 99 percent pure lead.

This allows for thinner plates without sacrificing structural integrity, dramatically increasing the surface area available for electrochemical reactions. The result is a battery that combines high conductivity with exceptional corrosion resistance, even under the demanding conditions of a data center UPS.

What does this mean in practice for data centers?

Pure lead grids corrode far more slowly than alloy-based grids, extending service life and reducing the frequency of costly battery replacements. Many TPPL batteries have demonstrated operational life of up to 10-12 years rather than 3-4 years for conventional alternatives – potentially helping to slash expenditure.

Lower internal resistance means TPPL batteries require less power from the grid to maintain a float charge. As well as helping to reduce strain on the grid, this could also help bring down data center energy bills.

Using thinner plates without compromising durability can deliver higher energy density. For data centers, this means fewer batteries are needed to achieve the same runtime, freeing up valuable whitespace for revenue-generating IT equipment. A major data center in the cloud market in northern Italy achieved a 25 percent reduction in physical space occupied by batteries after switching to a TPPL solution.

Is your data center losing out?

To put it simply, a battery is not just a battery.

Instead, UPS batteries can help contribute to any data center’s long-term goals of:

• Controlling opex and capex
• Improving energy efficiency
• Making better use of whitespace

UPS batteries can be the difference between helping and hindering operations.

EnerSys may be able to help you uncover often overlooked costs in your current UPS battery backup system. Learn more about how UPS battery strategies can contribute to your facility’s long-term goals at:TPPL Batteries for Data Centers | Reliable Backup Power Solutions | EnerSys