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Interest and demand continue to grow for lithium-ion batteries as a replacement for VRLA batteries for UPS applications because of benefits such as smaller size and longer life expectancy . But there are many questions decision makers still have regarding the impact these batteries have on sustainability . The full environmental and social impact includes mining practices of the raw materials , the manufacturing process of the batteries , operations , and how to repurpose or recycle them when they reach the end of

Download whitepaper here their useful life . In this paper , we demonstrate that , while not a black and white topic , on balance , li-ion has an overall lower impact compared to VRLA over the complete lifecycle today , and we anticipate this to further improve in the future . For each life cycle phase , we describe best practices and attributes to look for in vendors and providers to ensure responsible , ethical , economical , and sustainable solutions are deployed .

Introduction

Since their invention in 1985 , Lithium-ion ( li-ion ) battery technology has advanced significantly and is now capable of being used in applications that historically have been supported by lead acid or valve-regulated lead-acid ( VRLA ) batteries . One such application is uninterruptible power supplies ( UPSs ) in data centers . But as the industry increasingly transitions to li-ion battery technology for these UPS applications , there is interest in understanding and questions that arise regarding the sustainability implications of the transition . And as data center owners drive towards sustainable lifecycle practices , this topic increasingly comes up .

VRLA batteries have been used in data centers for decades , and as such , the hazards and environmental issues associated with them are well known . The industry is experienced in managing these batteries throughout their life cycle to minimize their

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