Telecom hardware giant Ericsson and Deutsche Telekom are working on using wind and solar energy to power the energy-hungry 5G mobile site in Germany, to balance against rising electric costs.

Figure 1: wind and solar powered network towers.

Figure 1 shows that Telecom operators especially have another motivation to slash costs as they’ll require the necessary funds -- as much as $872 billion globally -- to rollout next-gen 5G networks until 2030.

Ericsson’s head of sustainability, Mats Pellback Scharp, in an interview stated that energy costs in the telecom sector are around $25-30 billion per year, and thus it’s as important as investment in radio equipment and other things. [1]

The Ericsson Power System provides the necessary voltage conversion and maximum power point tracking (MPPT). The joint control of the two power sources and the batteries are integrated into the same management system that controls the Radio Access Network (RAN). This single management system will allow for quick and easy integration into existing sites in the future.

Batteries installed in current systems serve as storage in the event of a power outage. New Ericsson software and control mechanisms enable the management system to use the batteries as dynamic power storage units to make optimum use of the energy generated.

Initial tests showed that on windy days, more renewable energy could be generated than was consumed by site operations. The control of the energy sources includes various functions for hazard prevention as well as automation.

The next project phase will see the development of additional functions for the efficient use of generated energy and storage capacities. In the near future, the integration of additional energy sources such as fuel cells will replace the need for diesel generators, which are currently kept in reserve for emergencies. [2]

“At Ericsson, we are committed to working with our customers to support them in cutting their carbon emissions,” said Heather Johnson, vice president for sustainability and corporate responsibility at Ericsson. “This partnership is a great example of how we’re achieving this through our best-in-class energy efficient equipment, which can be operated entirely with renewable energy.”

Even before the recent rise in energy prices, mobile operators have been looking at ways to make their networks more efficient in order to minimise the impact of rising data consumption and fulfil sustainability commitments. [3]

References:

1. https://www.indiatimes.com/technology/news/ericsson-deutsche-telekom-will-use-wind-solar-energy-to-power-network-towers-570341.html
2. https://www.ericsson.com/en/news/3/2022/deutsche-telekom-and-ericsson-partner-to-drive-sustainable-5g-radio-site-operations
3. https://www.techradar.com/in/news/ericsson-trials-wind-and-solar-powered-mobile-sites-in-germany

Cite this article:

Sri Vasagi K (2022), Ericsson and Deutsche Telekom Trials Wind and Solar Powered Network Towers, AnaTechMaz, pp. 85