Data Centre

Nickel-Zinc Battery Solution

What is a Nickel-Zinc Battery?

Nickel-zinc (NiZn) batteries are intrinsically safe UPS backup batteries for AI data centres, offering a proven alternative to lead-acid and lithium systems.

The chemistry combines nickel and zinc electrodes with low internal resistance, enabling high-power delivery, while the water-based, non-flammable electrolyte means the battery produces no thermal runaway.

For backup windows of up to 15 minutes, Gerchamp Nickel-Zinc batteries deliver reliable 10C high-rate discharge with a substantially lower environmental footprint — and without the fire-protection measures that lithium-based systems require.

As Uptime Institute notes, next-generation AI systems are pushing rack power requirements higher, creating new challenges for power distribution, UPS systems and associated electrical infrastructure. High-density GPU clusters create rapid load changes — the battery must respond with fast power delivery and stable voltage support.

0 Thermal Runaway

No fire or explosion under abuse tests; complies with UL9540A and EU2023/1542
10C High-Rate Discharge

High-rate power delivery for AI clusters and data centres
15-Year Life

15-year design life at 25°C for mission-critical UPS applications
>90% Recyclable Materials

No xxx; complies with EU rules

Gerchamp brings together proprietary Nickel-Zinc (NiZn) battery technology and an intelligent Battery Monitoring System (BMS) in a battery cabinet solution to support data centre UPS applications.

The solution combines three core elements:

Nickel-Zinc Battery The battery foundation of the UPS backup system, engineered around Gerchamp’s 8XNFG90 Nickel-Zinc Battery.

Battery Monitoring System Provides battery operating data and condition monitoring to support battery maintenance decisions.

Integrated Battery Cabinet The GZC-9038S Nickel-Zinc Battery Cabinet brings together 36 to 38 battery modules, monitoring and cabinet-level electrical integration to deliver high power output, real-time monitoring of critical parameters and simplified system management — from individual high-rate cells to complete, deployment-ready battery cabinets.

Interested in learning more about our NiZn solution?

VRLA / Lithium-Ion Replacement

Ageing VRLA banks or changing lithium-ion safety requirements create an opportunity to reassess the UPS battery platform.
Retrofits for Existing Facilities

Upgrade battery infrastructure within the constraints of an operating site — from limited floor space to planned maintenance windows.
Backup Power for AI Workloads

High-density AI training and inference clusters need immediate, high-power backup while standby generators start.
Other Mission-Critical Sites

Telecoms hubs, hospitals and industrial control facilities depend on uninterrupted power to keep essential services running.

Comparing Nickel-Zinc Batteries with VRLA and Lithium Batteries

Data centre UPS battery selection requires balancing high-power performance, thermal safety and space constraints. Nickel-zinc (NiZn) technology is particularly suited to short-duration, high-power backup, offering a compact alternative to valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) batteries and a different safety profile from lithium-ion chemistry.

Feature	NiZn	VRLA	Li
Typical Service Life	10-15 yrs	3-5 yrs	8-10 yrs
Size and Weight	Medium	Bulky and Heavy	Compact and Light
High-Rate Discharge Capability	10C; very good	0.2C; slow	1C~10C; depends on the technology
Safety	Highest inherent safety, no thermal runaway	Good inherent safety, requires ventilation management for hydrogen gas	Depends on subtype - LFP is relatively safe with proper BMS; NMC/NCA carries higher thermal runaway and fire risk
Backup Time	Minute-level	Minute-level	Minute-level

*For more details, read https://www.gerchamp.com/en-US/blog/nickel-zinc-battery-everything-you-need-to-know-and-faq

Safety Tests of Nickel-Zinc Batteries

Nickel-zinc uses a water-based electrolyte — it cannot catch fire. The 8XNFG90 passed extreme abuse tests without fire or explosion, and achieved UL 9540A certification. Click any test to watch the footage:

For your facility

No fire suppression zone, no gas detection, no battery spacing rules
No toxic gas release under abnormal conditions
Non-hazardous dry battery — no transport restrictions
A much easier approval process with local authorities

Leak-proof by design

Liquid-absorption separator — electrolyte is held in place, with no leakage
Four-layer sealing structure at terminals and case
Controlled pressure-release mechanism for safe pressure regulation
Multi-layer safety design to maintain battery integrity throughout service life

Frequently Asked Questions

Why choose nickel-zinc batteries for data centre UPS applications?
Nickel-zinc (NiZn) batteries combine high-power discharge capability with a compact design for short-duration UPS backup. They are an option for data centres evaluating battery safety, space utilisation and maintenance requirements alongside backup performance.
Can nickel-zinc batteries replace VRLA batteries in an existing installation?
Yes, Gerchamp's nickel-zinc batteries are compatible with mainstream UPS and can directly replace existing VRLA batteries. Gerchamp offers both rack-installation solutions with 8XNFG90 NiZn batteries and GZC-9038S NiZn cabinets.
How much backup runtime can your nickel-zinc battery solution provide?
The short answer is 5-15 minutes. Backup runtime depends on the supported load, battery configuration and operating conditions. We size the solution around your required UPS power and runtime, including the capacity margin needed as batteries age.
What safety advantages do nickel-zinc batteries offer?
Nickel-zinc chemistry is designed to avoid thermal runaway, helping reduce a key battery safety concern in critical facilities. Safe deployment still requires appropriate electrical protection, installation practices and compliance with site requirements.
What is included in a nickel-zinc battery cabinet solution?
The GZC-9038S NiZn battery cabinet combines Gerchamp's 90Ah nickel-zinc batteries - 8XNFG90, battery monitoring systems (BMS) and electrical protection in one coordinated system. This simplifies specification and integration while providing centralised visibility into battery operating conditions.
How does the BMS help monitor battery health?
The BMS monitors voltage, temperature, internal resistance and charge/discharge current, alongside state-of-charge (SOC) and state-of-health (SOH) assessment. These insights help operators identify abnormal conditions and plan targeted inspection or maintenance.
What safety advantages do Gerchamp's nickel-zinc batteries offer?
Our nickel-zinc batteries have undergone extreme abuse testing, including axe chopping, drilling, heavy crushing and fire exposure, with no reported fire or explosion under the tested conditions. They have also passed UL 9540A thermal runaway fire propagation testing, providing additional safety assurance for mission-critical data centre applications.
Can nickel-zinc batteries be used in high-performance applications?
Yes. Our high-rate nickel-zinc batteries support discharge rates of up to 10C, delivering high power for demanding, short-duration UPS backup. Low internal resistance helps minimise voltage drop and heat generation under heavy loads, supporting stable power delivery during utility interruptions and generator start-up.

Get in Touch

Have a question or want to learn more? Send us a message.

Nickel-Zinc Battery Solution

What is a Nickel-Zinc Battery?

Why Nickel-Zinc Batteries

0 Thermal Runaway

10C High-Rate Discharge

15-Year Life

>90% Recyclable Materials

Explore the NiZn cabinet designed for

Applications

VRLA / Lithium-Ion Replacement

Retrofits for Existing Facilities

Backup Power for AI Workloads

Other Mission-Critical Sites

Comparing Nickel-Zinc Batteries with VRLA and Lithium Batteries

Safety Tests of Nickel-Zinc Batteries

Combustion Test

Puncture Test

Short-Circuit Test

For your facility

Leak-proof by design

Frequently Asked Questions

Get in Touch

We value your privacy

Nickel-Zinc Battery Solution

0 Thermal Runaway

10C High-Rate Discharge

15-Year Life

>90% Recyclable Materials

VRLA / Lithium-Ion Replacement

Retrofits for Existing Facilities

Backup Power for AI Workloads

Other Mission-Critical Sites

Combustion Test

Puncture Test

Short-Circuit Test

For your facility

Leak-proof by design

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