Introduction

As AI-driven workloads surge and sustainability targets tighten, data centers are scrutinizing every watt and workflow. This white paper unpacks how the uninterruptible power supply (UPS)—the backbone of power quality and continuity—shapes total cost of ownership (TCO), and how to cut that cost without compromising resilience. It maps the full TCO landscape, from energy use and cooling knock-on effects to downtime risk, maintenance, scalability, battery strategy, grid interaction, and end-of-life considerations.