Dual-purpose powering device

A system, comprising:

• a backplane connected to the system, wherein the backplane comprises electrical connections for at least two power supply units;
• and
• at least two power supply units electrically connected to the backplane via the electrical connections, wherein one of the at least two power supply units comprises a power supply unit and wherein another of the at least two power supply units comprises a battery backup unit, wherein at least one of the at least two power supply units provides power to the system via the backplane at a time;
• and
• wherein a power demand of the system is greater than a power output of the power supply unit.

A method, comprising:

• detecting, at a system comprising a backplane and at least two power supply units electrically connected to the backplane, an increase in power consumption by the system, wherein at least one of the at least two power supply units comprises a power supply unit and wherein at least another of the at least two power supply units comprises a battery backup unit;
• determining that a maximum power output of the power supply unit cannot fulfill the increase in power consumption by the system;
• and
• receiving power output from the battery backup unit in addition to the power output of the power supply unit, wherein the power output from the battery backup unit and the power output of the power supply unit fulfill the increase in power consumption by the system.