ZincFive released an FAQ on Apr. 21 detailing its BC Series UPS Battery Cabinets, which use nickel-zinc (NiZn) battery technology to support AI dynamic workloads and outage protection in data centers. The company said the BC Series is designed to provide a safe, reliable, and sustainable solution for managing rapid power surges in facilities facing increasing energy demands.
The demand for data center capacity is rising rapidly, with U.S. growth expected to double by 2030 according to McKinsey. As operators seek efficient ways to expand or retrofit existing sites, ZincFive highlights that using compact energy storage systems like the BC Series can help maximize usable space while meeting operational requirements.
The FAQ explains that NiZn batteries offer several advantages over traditional lead-acid and lithium-ion chemistries. These include higher power density, longer usable life, improved safety due to non-flammable chemistry with no thermal runaway risk, and better sustainability profiles such as lower greenhouse gas emissions and increased recyclability. “Nickel-Zinc (NiZn) is the ‘Goldilocks’ chemistry of the energy storage world—it exceeds the power density of lithium-ion but the safety and reliability that exceeds lead-acid,” ZincFive said in its release.
Four models are available within the BC 2 product line: a baseline cabinet for standard backup applications; an extended runtime version; an ultra high-rate model optimized for short-duration needs; and a purpose-built unit for AI environments with integrated pulse smoothing features. For operators not ready for full cabinet replacement cycles, ZincFive offers a drop-in NiZn Retrofit Kit compatible with certain existing UPS cabinets requiring no permits or downtime.
Safety certifications include UL 540, UL 1973, UL 1778, CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 107.3, IEC standards, CE marking, UKCA marking and RoHS compliance. The company notes reduced fire suppression requirements compared to lithium-ion systems due to NiZn’s lack of thermal runaway risk—simplifying permitting processes and lowering construction costs.
According to ZincFive’s information sheet: “Data centers using ZincFive cabinets can report lower Scope 3 embodied carbon compared to lithium-ion alternatives… The elimination of fire suppression infrastructure that lithium-ion requires also reduces material consumption and construction carbon.” The company also states it has surpassed two gigawatts in global power delivered or contracted as of April 2026.
