---
title: "Gerchamp Nickel-zinc battery white paper"
description: "Download Gerchamp’s new white paper on modernizing AI data center UPS power. Learn why Nickel-Zinc outperforms lead-acid & lithium-ion backup."
image: "/media/blog-covers/uploads/2026/07/b2f911f7-80dd-4422-88be-257053ed2cf5.webp"
---
Gerchamp recently released a White Paper titled **Modernizing UPS Power: Transitioning to Nickel-Zinc Batteries** which systematically examines how fluctuations in AI data center power loads impact UPS battery system design.
In traditional data centers, power loads remain relatively stable, so UPS systems primarily serve as "short-term power bridging solutions." However, with the advancement of AI computing and high-density GPU clusters, power demands have become increasingly dynamic and unpredictable, fundamentally altering the design principles of UPS systems and placing growing strain on conventional battery architectures.
Below is an excerpt from the white paper explaining why nickel-zinc battery systems outperform traditional lead-acid and lithium-ion battery systems under these conditions:
The global data center industry is entering a new infrastructure cycle driven by artificial intelligence (Al), accelerated computing, and high-density GPU deployment. Unlike traditional enterprise workloads, Al training and inference clusters impose significantly higher power densities, faster transient load profiles, and stricter requirements for electrical continuity.
According to JLL, global data center capacity is projected to expand by nearly 100 GW between 2025 and2030, effectively doubling installed capacity within five years. At the same time, average rack power density is increasing from the historical 5-10 kW range toward 30-80 kW, with certain Al deployments exceeding 100 kW per rack.
In conventional enterprise environments, UPS systems primarily served as short-duration
bridging assets between utility loss and generator startup. In AI-oriented facilities, however,
backup systems must additionally support rapid transient response, sustained high-rate
discharge capability, thermal stability under dynamic loading, and deployment within
increasingly constrained floor space.
These changes expose several limitations in legacy battery architectures:
- VRLA systems impose substantial space and floor-loading penalties at high discharge rates;
- Lithium-ion systems introduce additional thermal management and fire protection complexity;
- Both architectures face operational challenges under frequent pulse-load conditions associated with AI compute environments.
As a result, data center operators are increasingly evaluating alternative battery chemistry
capable of balancing safety, power density, deployment flexibility, and life cycle efficiency
within next-generation architectures.
Nickel-zinc (NiZn) battery technology has emerged as one such candidate, particularly for short duration, high-power backup applications requiring high-rate discharge capability and
intrinsically non-flammable chemistry.
Table of Contents
- Introduction………………………………………………..................................1
- Why not Legacy Batteries………………………………………........….......2
- Lead-Acid Battery: A Barrier to Scalability…………….…………….2
- Lithium-ion Battery: The Performancevs Risk Compromise……..3
- The Nickel-Zinc Chemistry……………………………….......................4
- Intrinsic Safe: Zero Thermal Runaway………………………………5
- Battery Failure: Stability and Safety…………………………….……7
- Cold-Climate Infrastructure Economics: Operation at -20°C….….9
- Fast Response and High Rate: AI Era Requirements…………….......11
- High Energy Density: Release Space and Floor Loading……….….13
- Environmental Integrity: The Sustainable Life cycle…………….…...14
- Applications, Solutions and Costs………………………..…………..............16
- Deployment Scenarios and Infrastructure Fit……………………...…...17
- Battery Solution………..................................................................................18
- Cabinet Solution………………………………………………………....................19
- CapEx and OpEx……………………………………………………………..............20
- Conclusion…………………………………………………………............………….....21
- References………………………………………………………............…………….….21
## Download the full White Paper:
For the complete analysis and system-level conclusions, please visit the Source page to download the full White Paper **Modernizing UPS Power: Transitioning to Nickel-Zinc Batteries**.
---
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