Sustainable Power Supply Solutions for Off-Grid Base Stations

Abstract

Abstract:The telecommunication sector plays a significant role in shaping the global economy and the way people share information and knowledge. At present, the telecommunication sector is liable for its energy consumption and the amount of emissions it emits in the environment. In the context of off-grid telecommunication applications, offgrid base stations (BSs) are commonly used due to their ability to provide radio coverage over a wide geographic area. However, in the past, the off-grid BSs usually relied on emission-intensive power supply solutions such as diesel generators. In this review paper, various types of solutions (including, in particular, the sustainable solutions) for powering BSs are discussed. The key aspects in designing an ideal power supply solution are reviewed, and these mainly include the pre-feasibility study and the thermal management of BSs, which comprise heating and cooling of the BS shelter/cabinets and BS electronic equipment and power supply components. The sizing and optimization approaches used to design the BSs' power supply systems as well as the operational and control strategies adopted to manage the power supply systems are also reviewed in this paper.

A Solar Energy Solution for Sustainable Third Generation Mobile Networks

“…The generation of solar energy depends on numerous factors, including solar radiation, sunlight intensity, and the geolocation of solar panels. The current study considers South Korea as a case study due to the following aspects: (1) it is located at a latitude between 34° N and 38° N; and (2) exhibits excellent potential to use solar energy, particularly because its average daily solar radiation ranges from 2.474 kWh/m 2 in December, to 5.622 kWh/m 2 in May [22,23]. However, the analysis can be generalized to other cases with a slight difference in the daily peak solar hours and solar radiation per case.…”

“…BSs are a key source of energy consumption in cellular networks. Accordingly, the OPEX of BSs increases tenfold [1,6]. Energy efficiency in cellular networks is also an emerging issue, highlighting the need for the operators of these networks to sustain profitability and decrease the overall effects on the environment.…”

“…The telecommunication sector's worldwide consumption of electricity per year has increased from 219 TWh in 2007, to 354 TWh in 2012. Such a consumption rate will eventually increase at an additional annual rate of 10%, from 2013 to 2018 [1]. Consequently, the operational expenditures (OPEX) of cellular network operators have significantly increased, given that a significant percentage is allocated for the payment of electricity bills [2,3].…”

“…High data traffic in cellular networks is common during daytime hours, when sunlight is considered a significant power generation source. The critical characteristics of power source requirements for Node Bs, including cost effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, and reliability, can be addressed through the use of technological advancements in the field of solar energy [1,14]. Moreover, a solar powered UMTS Node B offers an ideal long-term solution for the mobile cellular network industry in off-the-grid areas without a mature electric network, as well as in developed countries that suffer from continued power cuts and unreliable electrical grids (EGs) [8,15].…”

Optimal Solar Power System for Remote Telecommunication Base Stations: A Case Study Based on the Characteristics of South Korea’s Solar Radiation Exposure

“…This study addresses the sustainability of power sources for base stations in the fourth generation of cellular networks, which is called long-term evolution (LTE) and is considered the Figure 1. Summary of related works on energy optimisation strategies for cellular base stations [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17].…”