Towards zero grid electricity networking: Powering BSs with renewable energy sources

Abstract

In this paper we study cellular access networks which solely rely on renewable energy. We consider a cellular network in which a mesh of base stations (BSs) that are powered with renewable sources, and interconnected with wireless backhaul links, cover the service area, and provide connection to few, typically remote, wired network accesses to the national and international backbone. In particular, we study how to dimension BS power generators and energy storage. We start by discussing the BS energy need, that depends on both the BS consumption model and the BS traffic profiles. Focusing then on some specific locations, we consider the use of photovoltaic (PV) panels, and dimension them based on the daily energy need of the BS and on typical radiative power of sun in the considered locations. Once the PV system has been dimensioned, we also evaluate the energy storage capacity that is needed to absorb energy production variability due to both daily and seasonal radiative power variations. Finally, we investigate the effectiveness of integrating the PV system with wind turbines, as well as the benefit induced on the system by base station sleep modes.

Performance Analyses of Renewable and Fuel Power Supply Systems for Different Base Station Sites

“…In [23][24][25], independent hybrid power supply systems, which combine the energy of the sun and wind generated from solar photovoltaic (PV) modules and wind turbines, are presented. Dimensioning PV panels and wind turbines together with their associated energy storage for practical realization of the LTE cellular access networks, which solely rely on renewable energy, is presented in [26]. It is shown that with current PV and wind turbine technology, the size of the renewable energy power system is challenging, but the use of BS sleep modes can provide a significant reduction of the system size.…”

A Hybrid Energy Sharing Framework for Green Cellular Networks

“…In [20], [21], energy efficient radio resource management frameworks are proposed for heterogeneous networks that employ multiple radio access technologies. However, the most promising and currently deployed energy-efficient solutions are based on the use of RE to power cellular networks [7]- [9]. The benefit of using RE in cellular networks has been thoroughly investigated in literature [22]- [26].…”

“…In fact, different techniques have been used to achieve energy efficiency such as infrastructure sharing [15], [16], BS ON/OFF switching [17]- [19], radio resource management [20], [21], and energy harvesting from renewable sources to power BSs [7]- [9]. In [15], [16], infrastructure sharing approaches are proposed where multiple cellular operators use the same radio access network infrastructure to reduce the otherwise redundant capacity of BSs that results in energy inefficiency.…”

“…Most cellular operators worldwide are deploying renewable energy (RE) generators, e.g., solar panels, wind turbines, etc., at the sites of their BSs to obtain clean and cheap electricity [7]- [9]. These RE generators are used in conjunction with traditional electricity and backup energy storage units to power up the BSs.…”

A Solar Energy Solution for Sustainable Third Generation Mobile Networks

“…The result shows that this powering system can reduce the total energy cost with respect to a pure solar system and the traditional connection to the power grid, by 20%-40%. Reference [20] analyzed the feasibility of cellular access networks that exclusively rely on renewable energy sources (e.g., PV panels, wind turbines (in several cases), and energy storage). The results show that integrating renewable energy sources with BS sleep modes can result in significant energy savings, as well as a reduction of the solar system size.…”