Two-Tier Battery Backup for Data Center Power Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Data centers face challenges in efficiently managing power anomalies due to the overdesign of diesel generator systems, which leads to wasted capacity and environmental pollution, while existing battery solutions are insufficient for long-duration power outages and are costly.

Innovation Solution

A two-tier battery system is implemented, where first-tier batteries provide short-duration power and utility-grade second-tier batteries offer longer-duration backup, sized based on historical power anomaly data to minimize waste and emissions, allowing for instant power supply and grid support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If diesel generators are sized for peak capacity to ensure reliable backup power, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to overdesign

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackup power reliabilityVSAvoidgenerator system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The backup power system is segmented into two distinct tiers: first-tier rack batteries for immediate short-duration backup and second-tier utility-grade batteries for extended backup. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, eliminating the need for oversized diesel generators and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Duration of action of stationary object

If diesel generators are sized for peak capacity to cover all possible outage scenarios, then duration coverage is improved, but loss of substance increases due to wasted fuel capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackup power durationVSAvoidwasted fuel capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements partial action by providing different levels of backup duration through two tiers: rack batteries for immediate short-term backup and utility-grade batteries for extended backup based on historical anomaly data. This eliminates excessive fuel capacity in diesel generators while ensuring adequate coverage for actual outage scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Duration of action of stationary object

If diesel generators are used for long-duration backup power, then duration coverage is improved, but object-generated harmful factors increase due to emissions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackup power durationVSAvoidemissions

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical combustion-based diesel generator system with an electrochemical battery system. Utility-grade batteries provide long-duration backup power without combustion, eliminating emissions entirely while maintaining the ability to cover extended outage durations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Quantity of substance

If first-tier rack batteries are sized for minimal capacity to cover short durations, then cost is reduced, but duration of action is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery capacityVSAvoidbackup power duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a nested two-tier battery architecture where first-tier rack batteries (smaller capacity) are nested within a broader system that includes second-tier utility-grade batteries (larger capacity). The rack batteries provide immediate short-term backup while the utility-grade batteries provide extended backup, creating a nested structure that delivers both cost efficiency and extended duration coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The two-tier battery system effectively reduces costs by tailoring capacity to specific needs, provides clean energy, and enables zero emissions, while allowing diesel generators to be downsized, and supports grid frequency regulation.

Implementation Method 1

providing a plurality of first battery devices, each first battery device respectively electrically coupled to a respective server rack

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBattery (electricity): Battery (electricity)

Data Source

PatentUS11146099B2Two-tier battery solution for data center backup

Publication Date: 2021.10.12 GOOGLE LLC

AI summary

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including for back-up power sources. In one aspect, a method includes providing a plurality of first battery devices, each first battery device respectively electrically coupled to a respective server rack in a plurality of server racks and having a respective capacity to provide power to the respective rack for a power anomaly for up to a first duration. Providing a second battery device electrically coupled to the plurality of server racks and having a capacity to provide power to the plurality of respective server racks for a power anomaly for up to a second duration, wherein the second duration is longer than the first duration. A power anomaly is a deviation of mains power from one or more of a nominal supply voltage and frequency.