Resources and insights

Unveiling the science of nickel-zinc (NiZn) batteries. In this video we break down the advantages behind our remarkable chemistry. Discover the key factors that contribute to NiZn's exceptional power, safety, reliability, and sustainability – qualities that render it an ideal technology for mission critical applications and beyond.

ZincFive BC 2, the newest product in our BC Series UPS Battery Cabinet lineup, is a nickel-zinc (NiZn) battery energy storage solution with backward and forward compatibility with megawatt class uninterruptible power supply inverters. The new optimized battery cabinet design gives the BC 2 an industry-leading compact footprint, measuring only 21" in width, offering a 34% aisle width savings over leading Lithium-Ion products in a typical 1MW design.

The rising demand for data center capacity in the U.S, expected to double by 2030. It emphasizes efficient space utilization to reduce operational costs, especially in urban areas with high real estate prices. By minimizing 'gray space' (support systems) and maximizing 'white space' (profit-generating equipment), data centers can be more profitable. Upgrading to compact and power-dense equipment like ZincFive's BC 2 UPS Battery Cabinet, which utilizes safer nickel-zinc chemistry, can help in reducing the facility's footprint, saving energy, lowering carbon emissions, and adhering to regulatory and ESG targets, thus providing a competitive advantage in the data center industry.

Nickel-zinc (NiZn) batteries are highlighted for their environmental benefits over lead-acid and lithium batteries, showing lower greenhouse gas emissions, water and energy footprint, carbon payback time, material use, and absence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). With an impact score of 9.4/10, they represent a more sustainably sourced and environmentally friendly alternative. ZincFive, committed to sustainability, extends its efforts beyond products by joining the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) to promote responsible mining practices and uphold environmental, social, and human rights standards.

The Article discusses the BC 2 UPS battery cabinet designed by ZincFive for data center operators. It emphasizes the cabinet's reliability, power density, sustainability compared to lead-acid and lithium alternatives, and its compact design. The BC 2 boasts a 20% smaller footprint than its predecessor, aiding in saving valuable space in data centers, and facilitating easier shipping, installation, and maintenance​1​.

The document delves into the intricacies of backward and forward compatibility, crucial aspects of product and software development. It emphasizes the importance of ensuring that newer systems remain compatible with older versions to protect user investments and ensure seamless transitions. The white paper also highlights challenges faced by developers in maintaining compatibility while innovating and evolving products. It provides insights into best practices, strategies, and methodologies to achieve both backward and forward compatibility, underscoring the balance between innovation and consistency.

The report delves into the critical role of Scope 3 emissions, which originate from indirect activities not owned or controlled by an organization. Emphasizing their substantial impact, the document underscores the urgent need for industries to address these emissions to mitigate climate change. The report provides data-driven insights, highlights the importance of stakeholder collaboration, and offers strategies for organizations to effectively measure, manage, and reduce their Scope 3 emissions footprint. Key takeaways include the significance of transparency in reporting, setting ambitious reduction targets, and the potential benefits of embracing sustainable practices in the long run.

This white paper provides an informational guide to the United States Codes and Standards regarding Energy Storage Systems (ESS), including battery storage systems for uninterruptible power supplies and other battery backup systems. There are several ESS technologies in use today, and several that are still in various stages of development.

Service reliability is crucial for data centers, necessitating the right uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system and battery technology. Traditionally favored lead-acid batteries are cheap initially but require more space and maintenance. Newer options like Nickel Zinc (NiZn) batteries offer better space efficiency, reliability, and are non-flammable. Various standards and resources like the IEEE 1679 document family assist in selecting the most suitable battery technology considering cost, space, and safety factors.

The primary reason behind any maintenance agreement is to ensure system reliability and safety. Therefore, it's not surprising that agreements with inclusive preventive maintenance inspections have been shown to yield a high degree of equipment reliability and safety.

Your uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system is your data center’s first line of defense against power variations—spikes, dips and so on. Because thousands of dollars (or far more) of IT equipment is depending on a clean power supply, you can’t afford to wait for problems to arise in your UPS system before taking action: preventive maintenance is critical to uptime and to protecting sensitive electronics.

The lead-acid battery is the primary source of backup power for today's mission critical systems. It's used to protect everything from switchgear to telecommunications equipment. And it will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. But despite their important role, batteries fail. The challenge is to keep those failures from happening prematurely.