Mobile Networks: Energy Use & Sustainability

© GSM Association 2014

Mobile Energy Efficiency

Mobile Networks: Energy

Use & Sustainability

Melbourne, 6 July 2014

Dr Jack Rowley

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The mobile revolution

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Changing use of mobile phones

OFCOM, 2012; ITU, 2012

120x more data 79% indoors

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Evolution of mobile technologies

Ericsson Mobility Report, June 2014

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Mobile network energy footprint

Total global electricity and diesel energy consumption by all mobile

networks was approximately 120 Terawatt hours (TWh) in 2010.

– Energy costs of $13 billion;

– Responsible for 70 Mt CO2e.

Almost 80 TWh of the energy consumption was from grid electricity,

and just over 40 TWh was from diesel generators used in off‐grid and

unreliable grid locations.

– Typical generator efficiency is 20%.

Total network energy consumption by mobile operators showed no

growth from 2009 to 2010.

– Increased energy per connection in emerging markets.

GSMA, Mobile’s Green Manifesto 2012

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GSMA Mobile Energy Efficiency Benchmarking

Analytical approach allows operators to compare their networks

against one another and against their peers on a like-for-like basis

– Variables outside the operator’s control, e.g. population distribution and climate,

are ‘normalised’ using regression techniques.

Networks are compared against four key performance indicators:

1. Energy consumption per mobile connection.

2. Energy consumption per unit mobile traffic.

3. Energy consumption per cell site.

4. Energy consumption per unit of mobile revenue.

Quantifies potential efficiency gains, typically 10% to 25%.

If all networks with above average energy consumption were

improved to the sector average mobile operators could save $1 billion

per annum at 2010 prices.

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Insight on networks with the lowest energy

usage

Energy costs are managed aggressively by a person with relevant

expertise, typically at group level

High quality energy data is available

Electricity prices are high; diesel usage is minimised

Network equipment is relatively new

Emerging country networks owned by a European operator are more

energy efficient than their competitors

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Many different energy saving solutions

For example:

• Dynamic matching of network radio resources with traffic demand

• Free cooling systems which use separate battery coolers

• Fuel cells either as back-up or prime power

Energy efficiency

• Increase free cooling

• Use latest generation of a/c equipment

• Reduce battery cooling and/or increase set point

by using temperature resistant batteries

• Upgrade to more efficient rectifiers

• Activate more energy saving features

Fuel mix

• Reduce diesel consumption, e.g. by

generator-battery hybrids or

renewables

Infrastructure

• Reduce number of indoor versus outdoor sites

• Share more sites (although this has wider

commercial implications)

Measurement

• Install (more) smart meters or sub-

meters to increase data accuracy

STANDARD SOLUTIONS

MORE INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS

More innovation is needed!

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Example: Mobile Energy Efficiency

Optimisation

Monitor 10 representative cell sites.

On 4 sites deploy energy/carbon

saving equipment: GE Durathon

battery, Coolsure DC air-con, and

Ballard methanol fuel cell.

Results:

Trial showed energy savings of

30% for the GE battery and 60%

for A/C.

Savings when rolled out network.

wide: US$6.2m and 19,700 TCO2.

14 to 18 month paybacks.

Implementation has begun.

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Green Power for Mobile program

Target = 118,000 green deployments or

20% of total off-grid sites

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GSMA Mobile’s Green Manifesto 2012

Footprint of mobile industry.

– Total network CO2e emissions

in 2010 estimated at <0.2% of the

global total; lower than the

emissions of Austria.

– GSMA expects emissions per

connection to fall by 40% by 2020.

Enabling role of mobile.

– 4 to 5 times own footprint.

– Smart applications.

– Mobile M2M connections could

enable savings equivalent to taking

four million cars off the road.

www.gsma.com/environment

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Potential GHG savings in 2020

www.gsma.com/environment

Network monitoring.

Micro-generation.

Load optimisation.

Fleet management.

Traffic management.

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The smart home and energy use

GSMA 2011 International Energy Agency, 2014

Smart phones can maintain connectivity for as little as 0.5 mW.

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Summary

Growing demand for wireless communications means

expansion of mobile networks.

Mobile industry needs to continue to work on reducing its

own footprint.

More work needed to scale the enabling benefits of

wireless in other sectors.

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Thank you

Contact: Dr Jack Rowley

Job title: Senior Director

Research & Sustainability

email:

environment@gsma.com

mee@gsma.com

Website:

www.gsma.com

Acknowledgment: Mark Anderson, GSMA.