Why use lithium ion batteries for UPS systems?

Lithium-ion UPS batteries: a more favorable investment

Lithium-ion batteries have become increasingly popular in uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) due to their numerous benefits and high efficiency. Although lead-acid batteries have been used more frequently for years, there are certain features of lithium options that make them a more favorable investment for businesses.

An example of this is IT companies, where data centers are used to store valuable information. In these types of companies, lithium-ion batteries are a crucial investment. This is because they last 2 to 3 times longer than lead-acid batteries, which makes it possible to reduce battery replacements, labor costs and stay protected in case of a power outage.

Due to their size and weight, these types of batteries in UPS systems help companies save space, allow for flexibility of location and cope with the various energy problems that can occur in a factory. In this article, we will know in detail the characteristics of this kind of batteries.

Main benefits of lithium-ion batteries

First, lithium-ion batteries, traditionally used in UPS systems, have a longer life span than lead-acid batteries, lasting up to 10 years under optimal conditions.

In addition, they are capable of storing a higher energy density and have a lower self-discharge rate, i.e. when they are in storage or not in operation, the probability of being discharged is lower compared to lead-acid batteries.

Another benefit that is important to mention is that lithium-ion batteries are lighter and take up less space. This means that UPS systems using this type of bank can be more compact and portable, making them ideal for environments where space is limited or where greater mobility is required.

Differences between lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries

Lithium-ion batteries	Lead-acid batteries
They can last up to 10 years under optimum conditions.	They have a useful life of 3 to 5 years, although it depends on the use to which they are subjected.
Their efficiency is 96% on each charge.	Efficiency is 85% on each charge.
They do not require maintenance.	There are some models that require maintenance from time to time.
Approximate charging time is 1 to 2 hours and supports high-speed charging.	Approximate charging time is between 9 and 12 hours.
Its depth of discharge is almost 100%, so it can stay at 0% and use all the energy.	Its depth of discharge is 60%, if the battery is discharged below this percentage, it can be damaged.
They have a higher tolerance to temperature changes: it can withstand up to 70°C.	Its tolerance to temperature changes should always be around 25°C.

The efficiency of lithium-ion batteries stands out in the market

It is important to mention that lithium-ion batteries have an efficiency rate of 96%, while lead-acid batteries have an efficiency rate of 85%. This means that lithium-ion batteries can deliver more power to the UPS system with less loss, which in turn reduces costs and increases overall equipment performance.

Another element to consider is the charging speed, since lithium-ion batteries offer an estimated time of 1 or 2 hours to complete 100%, which makes them essential for those sectors that require constant protection against any type of failure or phenomenon in the power supply.

In addition, this type of battery bank has a 100% depth of discharge compared to lead acid batteries. In the latter, if the battery is discharged below 60%, they can be damaged and interrupt the energy output.
Lithium-ion batteries, on the other hand, use as much energy as their capacity allows. This is particularly important in critical environments where uninterrupted power is essential, such as in data centers or medical facilities.

Other benefits offered by lithium-ion batteries

Here are some additional things to consider about lithium-ion UPS batteries:

They have fire protection. In case of a fire event, the flames can be easily extinguished in the early stages of the event.
Combine old and new batteries. While lead-acid batteries cannot be mixed because they would damage the new ones, in lithium-ion batteries each battery is independent. This makes it possible to combine used batteries with newly acquired ones. At the same time, the investment is reduced without sacrificing the protection your company needs.
They have electronics that allow you to check the battery charge. This element detects the voltage level of a battery and matches it to the others in the bank. Each one of them manages its own energy control, which allows balancing the whole system when one of these batteries fails.
Number of modules that can be used. In lead-acid batteries no more than 4 modules can be placed in parallel, while in lithium-ion batteries up to 20 or 30 modules can be used and none of them will have problems to control the voltage.

In conclusion, lithium-ion batteries offer numerous benefits in UPS systems, including longer life, higher energy efficiency, lower self-discharge rate, smaller size and weight, greater stability and power reliability. As their availability becomes more common, their use in UPS systems is expected to continue to increase.

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