Krippy..

Normally a UPS is used to prevent computers from losing stuff/work/files when the power goes out. It's basically a battery that gives you enough time 5 - 15 minutes - to save your computer work, but I don't think any of them are meant to use for a longer time than that.

UPS's also do surge protection but that would not be an issue of security.

Could be your friend plugs in his lamp ballasts to the 6 new outlets on the UPS and maybe some UPS's have amp settings to assist the power "draw" when the ballast(s) power up.

Could be a primo UPS might help a grower make it look like nothing is on a timer, a strict 12/12 cycl,e say. Basically disguise the startup - shut off times. But average UPSupply's only give you a maximum of an hour and that's for running just a computer and a monitor.

So I dunno. You probably need to ask him how sophisticated the electric meters are in your area or something.