Sometimes the smallest news can indicate larger trends hiding below the surface. Example: Google announcement At the end of last month, he installed 100 million lithium-ion cells in his data centers to provide backup power to his servers.
In itself, this is not overwhelming news. But it highlights a trend that launches into the world. The batteries are everywhere, and thanks to the incessant thrust to reduce costs for electric vehicles, they cause a change in a myriad of parts of the economy.
Years ago, in Google’s data centers, the servers racks were anchored with lead battery backup units. The old Clunkers were reliable, but they were also bulky, heavy and not so powerful.
But as Google replaced them with lithium-ion cells, the advantages have multiplied. Google says that the cells he uses have the power twice and occupy half of space as its old lead batteries. Consequently, the company was able to reduce the number of cells required by three -quarters.
In this space, Google can pile up more servers, things that make it money, unlike batteries, which more like a physical form of insurance. You should have them in an emergency, but you should not buy what you absolutely need. Since it costs at least $ 125 to develop a square foot of a new data center, according to For the developer JLL, each thumb counts.
The trend of the battery and disturbing also took place elsewhere.
In houses, people have installed large multi-kilowattes batteries to store excess solar energy and keep the lights on when the power supply goes. In campsites, they use portable batteries to replace noisy and harmful generators. A startup even uses small cells to move dry ice from medical specimens shipments, offering a finer temperature control and a multitude of tracking data to start.
Should we be impressed by the installation by Google of 100 million lithium-ion cells since 2015? It depends on the context: Panasonic has sent more than 10 billion cells From its Nevada factory since its opening in 2015.
As unfavorable as the ratio may seem, it underside the cascade impact that the batteries have. Even Google’s modest figures show how batteries can bring subtle disturbances to the less anticipated corners of the world.
