Energy cost reduction for telecommunication towers using hybrid energy storage

Abstract

For many mobile phone carriers, the cost to cable electricity to an off-grid tower is simply too expensive. The combination of vast and difficult-to-service areas with the lack of a grid or a reliable power alternative has made the rollout of rural networks essentially unaffordable. Existing works on a good grid and off-grid are not enough to cover the whole spectrum of telecom towers in many countries and continents. The objective of this study is to develop a hybrid energy storage system under energy efficiency initiatives for telecom towers in the poor grid and bad grid scenario to further reduce the capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operational expenditure (OPEX) besides reducing carbon emissions. The present study confirms that by using the micro-grid concept which is a combination of multiple hybrid energy storage can reduce CAPEX and OPEX cost between 9% to 14% as compared to the pure valve-regulated lead-acid battery or VRLA battery.