E-Plus, a German-based mobile service provider, in collaboration with Nokia Siemens Networks, is operating a base station in Germany that does not use grid electricity, which, the company claims, is a first. The station relies on a combination of solar and wind power, supported by fuel cell and deep cycle battery technology.
Nokia Siemens Networks has provided a solar tracking system. The system turns the maximum surface of the solar panels toward the sun, to increase solar energy production for the site operation.
In addition, Nokia Siemens Networks’ Green Energy Controller manages the solar energy, a wind turbine, a fuel cell system and the deep cycle battery technology, which is mounted in SiteStar cabinets for extended life time.
The vendor has also extended its network management platform, NetAct, for network monitoring and optimisation to enable energy management of this site.
The platform enables the operator to remotely maintain and install new software remotely, which obviates the necessity of visiting base station sites, thereby further preventing CO2 emissions.
The environment-friendly operation of the site allows E-Plus to reduce its carbon footprint while Nokia Siemens Networks’ remote energy management enables the monitoring of all green energy components at anytime.
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E-Plus Group chief technology officer Rafal Markiewicz said with the innovative energy concept, they are showing how mobile phone transmission sites can become carbon neutral.
"This new transmission plant is part of our sustainability strategy and for us, building the first green base station site of this type is an important achievement and underlines our claim to operate the most efficient network in Germany," Markiewicz said.
