When there's a power outage, data centers rely on Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems to switch to backup batteries, which keep the facility running until generators kick in. This period when batteries are in use is commonly referred to as "battery runtime" or "ride-through time."

Over the last ten years, there has been a notable trend in data center design to minimize battery runtime. This shift offers data center owners an opportunity to reconsider the battery technologies they employ for backup power in their facilities.

This paper delves into the trend of decreased runtime in the industry as well as the battery technologies best suited for addressing this trend.