GSMA launches renewable push for off-grid sites

The industry body representing mobile operators globally has launched a new programme with the aim of powering up to 118,000 new and existing off-grid base stations in developing countries with renewable energy sources by 2012.

While focused primarily at operators in emerging markets with poor or limited power grids, the Green Power for Mobile programme, with the support of 25 mobile operators across the world, is designed to provide expertise to support the deployment of base stations that use renewable energy. Up to now, off-grid base stations have primarily been powered by generators running on diesel fuel, which is increasingly expensive, generates carbon dioxide emissions, and can be difficult to transport to remote locations.

Achieving its goal of renewable energy base stations will save up to 2.5 billion litres of diesel per annum and cut annual carbon emissions by up to 6.3 million tonnes, the GSMA said.

“As they strive to bring the benefits of mobile coverage to as many people as possible, operators need to find reliable, sustainable and economic sources of power far beyond the reach of national electricity grids,” said Rob Conway, CEO and Member of the Board of the GSMA. “Through our Development Fund, the GSMA has built deep expertise in solar, wind and other renewable energy sources that mobile operators can tap to help them connect the unconnected, reduce operating costs and minimise environmental damage.”

The GSMA Development Fund estimates that only 1,500 base stations worldwide are powered by at least one form of renewable energy. Challenges to date have included commercial viability, equipment availability and lack of expertise, GSMA said. However, its research suggests that rising diesel prices and falling renewable equipment costs mean that operators investing in green power sources for base stations could recoup the capital costs in as little as 24 months.

Source: GSMA

In March, Nokia Siemens Networks came to a similar conclusion, citing that the maturity of solar and wind power systems now provide a viable solution for off-grid sites. In its statement, Nokia revealed an even more aggressive schedule, saying that renewables will be the first choice for off-grid sites by 2011 – a full year ahead of the current GSMA program.

Earlier in the year, Motorola also claimed success with a trial base station running on a hybrid solar and wind power system in Namibia. Alcatel Lucent, Ericsson and Huawei have also made announcements of renewable energy powered sites this year.

DIGICEL ROLL OUT
For its part, the GSMA is already working with several mobile operators to develop renewable power solutions, including a project by Digicel to deploy 17 wind and solar powered base stations on the Pacific island of Vanuatu.

“As oil becomes more scarce and expensive, renewable energy will be used more and more to power telecommunications networks anywhere that grid power is not available,” said John Delves, CEO of Digicel Vanuatu. “Using alternative power solutions, such as harnessing wind and solar energy, will help lower our operational expenditure and reduce our environmental impact, giving people in the more remote islands of Vanuatu access to communications for the first time.”

The major suppliers of base stations have anticipated the growing demand for green networks and have introduced a variety of low-energy products as well as renewable energy power solutions. New entrants are also emerging, providing tailored bolt-on power solutions for base stations. The GSMA is developing metrics for ‘green’ base stations, to support operators in their decision-making on providers and products.

As part of the launch, the GSM Development Fund launched a website that showcases guides and solutions providers for green power mobile networks. The site also provides a flow chart guiding operators towards selecting the best power solution for future roll outs and upgrades, as well as a list of vendors for renewable energy power systems, systems integrators and mobile network equipment.

The mobile operators participating in the programme are: AXIS, Bharti, Dialog, Digicel, Idea Cellular, Indosat, Econet, Grameenphone, Mobinil, MTC Namibia, MTN Cameroon, MTN Group, MTN Nigeria, MTN Uganda, Orange, Orascom Telecom Holding, Roshan, Safaricom, Smart, Telefonica, Telenor Pakistan, Vimpelcom, Vodacom Tanzania, Vodafone Egypt, Zain Group, Zantel.

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2. Alcatel-Lucent solar-powered site connects remote Senegal islands
3. Indian mobile networks outstripped power grid
4. Nokia Siemens Networks scores big with new energy efficient gear
5. KT to set up renewable energy unit

Tags: base stations, green power for mobile, GSM, GSM Association, GSMA, GSMA Development Fund, Mobile, Renewables

Category: Applications, Mobile, Renewables