Rack power system and method

A method for providing power to equipment installed in a rack, the method comprising:

• mounting a first shelf into the rack, the first shelf containing a plurality of power supplies, each of the plurality of power supplies configured to receive AC power and to provide DC power to equipment installed in the rack at a nominal voltage;
• mounting a second shelf into the rack, the second shelf containing a plurality of battery units, each of the plurality of battery units configured to provide DC power;
• independently controlling each of the plurality of power supplies and each of the plurality of battery units;
• monitoring the AC power received by the first shelf;
• predicting an impending event related to the AC power and, in response, controlling at least one of the plurality of battery units to operate in an online mode to generate a DC voltage less than the nominal voltage;
• and
• detecting a loss of AC power and, in response, controlling the plurality of battery units to operate in an active mode to generate a DC voltage at the nominal voltage.

An equipment rack, comprising:

• a frame;
• a pair of mounting rails coupled to the frame;
• a first shelf mounted to the mounting rails and containing a plurality of power supplies, each of the plurality of power supplies configured to receive AC power and to provide DC power to equipment installed in the equipment rack at a nominal voltage;
• a second shelf mounted to the mounting rails and containing a plurality of battery units, each of the plurality of battery units configured to provide DC power;
• and
• a controller coupled to the first shelf and the second shelf and configured to:
• control each of the plurality of power supplies and each of the plurality of battery units;
• monitor the AC power received by the first shelf;
• predict an impending event related to the AC power and, in response, control at least one of the plurality of battery units to operate in an online mode to generate a DC voltage less than the nominal voltage;
• and
• detect a loss of AC power and, in response, control the plurality of battery units to operate in an active mode to generate a DC voltage at the nominal voltage.