Green Mobile Networks & Base Stations

Overview

This strategic report provides unique scenario based forecasts (incremental, progressive and transformational) for green mobile base station deployments as well as total on-grid and off-grid base station power consumption forecasts, base station electricity costs and CO2 emissions, all split by eight key regions for six years.

Drawing on a series of in-depth interviews with senior executives from network operators and infrastructure vendors, the report focuses on means of improving efficiency within the base station, analysing techniques such as reduced air conditioning, network planning, automated meter readings, remote radio head deployment and the use of feederless sites.

The various options for renewable energy including solar power, wind, biodiesel, fuel cells and pico-hydro are discussed at length  and the possibilities for, and constraints of, each method are analysed.

Table of Contents

Executive Summary

1. The Need for Change

1.1 Introduction
1.2 The Global Drive for Climate Change
1.2.1 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
1.2.2 Regional and National Legislation
i. European Union
a. RoHS & WEEE
- RoHS Direct Impact on the Mobile Industry: The Treo 650
b. Carbon Trading: Obligations and Opportunities
1.3 Key Drivers for Environmentally Sustainable Business Practices
1.3.1 Regulatory: Existing CO2 Levels Must be Reduced to Protect the Environment
1.3.2 Consumer-Driven: Environmental Considerations are Influencing Choice of Product
1.3.3 Economic: The Need for Energy Efficiency
1.3.4 Economic: The Rising Costs of Fossil Fuels
1.4 The Industry Response: Integrated Product Policy (IPP) Pilot Project
Figure 1.1: ICT Impacts and Opportunities
Table 1.1: IPP Pilot Project Stages
1.5 The Growth of the Mobile Market and Its Environmental Impact
1.5.1 Mobile User Base
Figure 1.2: Mobile Subscriber Base (m) Split by 8 Key Regions, 2007-2014
Table 1.2: Mobile Subscriber Base (m) Split by 8 Key Regions, 2007-2014
1.5.2 The Growing Demand for Base Stations
Figure1.3: Average Number of Subscribers Per Active Base Station Split by 8 Key Regions, 2007-2014
Table 1.3: Average Number of Subscribers Per Base Station Split by 8 Key Regions, 2007-2014
Figure 1.4: Total Number of Active Base Stations (m) Split by 8 Key Regions, 2007-2014
Table 1.4: Total Number of Active Base Stations (m) Split by 8 Key Regions, 2007-2014
1.5.3 CO2 Emissions Across the Mobile Industry
Figure 1.5: Mobile Use Phase, CO2 Emissions, 2008
i. Consumers
ii. Radio Base Station
iii. Network Control, Core & Data Servers
1.5.4 Reducing the Footprint
Figure 1.6: Maintaining a Stable CO2 Footprint - Growth in Mobile Subscriber Base vs. CO2 Emissions Per User, 2008-2014
1.6 Three Scenarios: Incremental, Progressive, Transformational
Table 1.5; Top-line Scenario-Based Forecast Assumptions

2. Powering the Network

2.1 Key Forms of Renewable Energy
2.1.1 Solar Energy
2.1.2 Wind
Figure 2.1: Wind Turbine Designs
2.1.3 Other Forms of Renewable Energy
i. Pico-Hydro Power
ii. Biodiesel
iii. Fuel Cells
2.2 Renewable Energy in Developed Markets
Figure 2.2: Selected Operators and Vendors, %age Green Electricity Utilisation, 2008
Table 2.1: Selected Operators and Vendors, Green Electricity Utilisation (2008) and Future Targets
2.3 Renewable Energy in Developing Markets
Table 2.2: Energy Efficiency Comparison: Vodafone India versus Other Vodafone Companies, 2008/9
2.3.1 GSMA Green Power Initiative
2.3.2 Renewable Energy Deployments in Developing Markets
i. Case Study: Vodafone/Vodacom
ii. Case Study: Nokia Siemens Networks/ETC Ethiopia
Figure 2.3: NSN Solar Panel Array at Ethiopia Base Station
iii. Case Study: Safaricom
Figure 2.4: Huawei Wind-solar-diesel Powered BTS, Kenya
2.4 Constraints on Renewable Energy
2.4.1 Wind Energy
i. Geographic Location
ii. Cost
iii. Turbine Design Must be Optimised to Reflect Localised Conditions
2.4.2 Solar Energy
i. Geographic Location
ii. Cost
Figure 2.5: RPI of Solar Modules, US and Europe
Figure 2.6: Photovoltaic Solar Energy Potential in European Countries
2.4.3 Other Renewable Resources
i. Biodiesel
2.4 Which Renewable Energy Resource?
2.4.1 Developing Markets
Figure 2.7: Motorola Assessment Model for Network Energy Resource
i. Capex and Opex
ii. Location
iii. Load Requirements

3. Base Station Forecasts

3.1 Base Station Deployments
3.1.1 Incremental Scenario
Table 3.1: Incremental Scenario - Base Station Deployments Per Annum Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Table 3.2: Incremental Scenario - Percentage of Deployed Base Stations Which Utilise Renewable Energy Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Figure 3.1: Incremental Scenario - Annual Deployments of Base Stations Which Utilise Renewable Energy Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Table 3.3: Incremental Scenario - Annual Deployments of Base Stations Which Utilise Renewable Energy Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
3.1.2 Progressive Scenario
Table 3.4: Progressive Scenario - Base Station Deployments Per Annum Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Table 3.5: Progressive Scenario - Percentage of Annual Deployments of Base Stations Which Utilise Renewable Energy Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Figure 3.2: Progressive Scenario - Annual Deployments of Base Stations Which Utilise Renewable Energy Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Table 3.6: Progressive Scenario - Annual Deployments of Base Stations Which Utilise Renewable Energy Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
3.1.3 Transformational Scenario
Table 3.7: Transformational Scenario - Base Station Deployments Per Annum Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Table 3.8: Transformational Scenario - Percentage of Annual Deployments of Base Stations Which Utilise Renewable Energy Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Figure 3.3: Transformational Scenario- Annual Deployments of Base Stations Which Utilise Renewable Energy Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Table 3.9: Transformational Scenario - Annual Deployments of Base Stations Which Utilise Renewable Energy Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
3.2 Green Electricity
3.2.1 Incremental Scenario
Table 3.10: Incremental Scenario - Percentage of Total Base Station Electricity Generated by Off-Grid Renewable Resources Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Figure 3.4: Incremental Scenario - Annual Power Generation (GHz) from Off-Grid Renewable Resources Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Source: Juniper Research
Table 3.11: Incremental Scenario - Annual Power Generation (GWh) from Off-Grid Renewable Resources Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
3.2.2 Progressive Scenario
Table 3.12: Progressive - Percentage of Total Base Station Electricity Generated by Off-Grid Renewable Resources Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Figure 3.5: Progressive - Annual Power Generation (GHz) from Off-Grid Renewable Resources Split By 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Table 3.13: Progressive - Annual Power Generation (GWh) from Off-Grid Renewable Resources Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
3.2.3 Transformational Scenario
Table 3.14: Transformational - Percentage of Total Base Station Electricity Generated by Off-Grid Renewable Resources Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Figure 3.6: Transformational - Annual Power Generation (GWh) from Off-Grid Renewable Resources Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Table 3.15: Transformational - Annual Power Generation (GWh) from Off-Grid Renewable Resources Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
3.3 CO2 Emissions
3.3.1 Emissions from Grid Electricity
i. Incremental Scenario
Figure 3.7: Incremental - CO2 Emissions (kg/kWh) of Base Station Grid Electricity Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Table 3.16: Incremental - CO2 Emissions (kg/kWh) of Base Station Grid Electricity Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Figure 3.8: Incremental - On-grid Base Stations, CO2 Emissions (Mt) Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Table 3.17: Incremental - On-grid Base Stations, CO2 Emissions (Mt) Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
ii. Progressive Scenario
Figure 3.9: Progressive - CO2 Emissions (kg/kWh) of Base Station Grid Electricity Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Table 3.18: Progressive - CO2 Emissions (kg/kWh) of Base Station Grid Electricity Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Figure 3.10: Progressive - On-grid Base Stations, CO2 Emissions (Mt) Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Table 3.19: Progressive - On-grid Base Stations, CO2 Emissions (Mt) Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
iii. Transformational Scenario
Figure 3.11: Transformational - CO2 Emissions (kg/kWh) of Base Station Grid Electricity Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Table 3.20: Transformational - CO2 Emissions (kg/kWh) of Base Station Grid Electricity Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Figure 3.12: Transformational - On-grid Base Stations, CO2 Emissions (Mt) Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Table 3.21: Transformational - On-grid Base Stations, CO2 Emissions (Mt) Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
3.3.2 Emissions from Off-Grid Electricity
i. Incremental Scenario
Table 3.22: Incremental Scenario - Percentage of Base Station Electricity Derived from Diesel-Powered Off-Grid Generators Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Figure 3.13: Incremental - Base Station Electricity (GWh) Derived from Diesel-Powered Off-Grid Generators Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Table 3.23: Incremental - Base Station Electricity (GWh) Derived from Diesel-Powered Off-Grid Generators Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Figure 3.14: Incremental - Off-Grid Base Stations, CO2 Emissions (Mt) Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Table 3.24: Incremental - Off-Grid Base Stations, CO2 Emissions (Mt) Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
ii. Progressive Scenario
Table 3.25: Progressive Scenario - Percentage of Base Station Electricity Derived from Diesel-Powered Off-Grid Generators Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Figure 3.15: Progressive - Base Station Electricity (GWh) Derived from Diesel-Powered Off-Grid Generators Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Table 3.26: Progressive - Base Station Electricity (GWh) Derived from Diesel-Powered Off-Grid Generators Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Figure 3.16: Progressive - Off-Grid Base Stations, CO2 Emissions (Mt) Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Table 3.27: Progressive - Off-Grid Base Stations, CO2 Emissions (Mt) Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
iii Transformational Scenario
Table 3.28: Transformational Scenario - Percentage of Base Station Electricity Derived from Diesel-Powered Off-Grid Generators Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Figure 3.17: Transformational - Base Station Electricity (GWh) Derived from Diesel-Powered Off-Grid Generators Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Table 3.29: Transformational - Base Station Electricity (GWh) Derived from Diesel-Powered Off-Grid Generators Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Figure 3.18: Transformational - Off-Grid Base Stations, CO2 Emissions (Mt) Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Table 3.30: Transformational - Off-Grid Base Stations, CO2 Emissions (Mt) Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
3.3.3 Total Base Station CO2 Emissions
i. Incremental Scenario
Figure 3.19: Incremental- Total Base Station CO2 Emissions (Mt) Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Table 3.31: Incremental - Total Base Station CO2 Emissions (Mt) Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
ii. Progressive Scenario
Figure 3.20: Progressive - Total Base Station CO2 Emissions (Mt) Split by 8 Key Regions,. 2008-2014
Table 3.32: Progressive- Total Base Station CO2 emissions (Mt) Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
iii. Transformational Scenario
Figure 3.22: Transformational- Total Base Station CO2 Emissions (Mt) Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Table 3.33: Transformational - Total Base Station CO2 Emissions (Mt) Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
iv. Scenario Comparison
Figure 3.23: CO2 Emissions (Mt) from Base Station Electricity Split by Scenario, 2008-2014
Table 3.34: CO2 Emissions (Mt) from Base Station Electricity Split by Scenario, 2008-2014
3.3.4 CO2 Emissions per Mobile Subscriber
Figure 3.24: Base Station CO2 Emissions (kg) Per Mobile Subscriber Split by Scenario, 2008-2014
Table 3.35: Base Station CO2 Emissions (kg) Per Mobile Subscriber Split by Scenario, 2008-2014

4. Enhancing the Network

4.1 Introduction
Figure 4.1: Traditional Base Station Design
4.2 How Can Power Wastage be Reduced?
4.2.1 Network Planning
4.2.2 Increasing Base Station Coverage/Reduce Inefficiency in PA
Figure 4.2: Heat Dissipation in Power Amplifier, Modulated Voltage vs. Fixed Voltage
4.2.3 Reducing Air Conditioning
4.2.4 Using Feederless Sites and Remote Radio Heads
Figure 4.3: Remote Station Configurations
i. Case Study: Flexi Base Stations
Figure 4.3: Nokia Flexi Base Stations
4.2.5 Improving Efficiency Within the Cable
4.2.6 Energy Saving/Standby
4.2.7 Remote Monitoring
4.2.8 Site Energy Efficiency
4.2.9 Network Sharing

5. Base Station Power Consumption & Electricity Costs

5.1 Implied Cost of Base Station Electricity
Figure 5.1: Global Average Implied Cost of Base Station Electricity Split by Source, 2008-2014
Table 5.1: Global Average Implied Cost of Base Station Electricity Split by Source, 2008-2014
5.2 Power Output
5.2.1 Incremental Scenario
Table 5.2: Incremental Scenario. Average Power Output Per Base Station (W) Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Figure 5.2: Incremental Scenario - Total Mobile Base Station Power Consumption (GWh) Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Table 5.3: Incremental Scenario - Total Mobile Base Station Power Consumption (GWh) Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
5.3.2 Progressive Scenario
Table 5.4: Progressive Scenario. Average Power Output Per Base Station (W) Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Figure 5.3: Progressive Scenario - Total Mobile Base Station Power Consumption (GWh) Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Table 5.5: Progressive Scenario - Total Mobile Base Station Power Consumption (GWh) Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
5.3.3 Transformational Scenario
Table 5.6: Transformational Scenario. Average Power Output Per Base Station (W) Split By 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Figure 5.4: Transformational Scenario Total Mobile Base Station Power Consumption (GWh) Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Table 5.7: Transformational Scenario - Total Mobile Base Station Power Consumption (GWh) Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
5.3 Cost of Electricity
5.3.1 Incremental Scenario
Figure 5.5: Incremental Scenario, Implied Cost per kWh ($) of Base Station Electricity Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Table 5.8: Incremental Scenario, Implied Cost per kWh ($) of Base Station Electricity Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Figure 5.6: Incremental Scenario - Total Operator Base Station Electricity Costs ($m) Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Table 5.9: Incremental Scenario - Total Operator Base Station Electricity Costs ($m) Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Table 5.10: Incremental Scenario - Total Electricity Costs in Relation to Operator-Billed Revenues (%) by 8 Key Regions 2009-2014
5.3.2 Progressive Scenario
Figure 5.7: Progressive Implied Price per kWh ($) Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Table 5.11: Progressive Implied price per kWh ($) Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Figure 5.8: Progressive Scenario - Total Operator Base Station Electricity Costs ($m) Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Table 5.12: Progressive Total Operator Base Station Electricity Costs ($m) Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Table 5.13: Progressive Total Electricity Costs in Relation to Operator-Billed Revenues (%) Split by 8 Key Regions, 2009-2014
5.3.3 Transformational Scenario
Figure 5.9: Transformational Model Implied Price per kWh ($) Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Table 5.14: Transformational Scenario - Implied Price per kWh ($) Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Figure 5.10: Transformational Scenario - Total Operator Base Station Electricity Costs ($m) Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Table 5.15: Transformational Scenario - Total Operator Base Station Electricity Costs ($m) Split by 8 Key Regions, 2008-2014
Table 5.16: Transformational Scenario - Total Electricity Costs in Relation to Operator-Billed Revenues (%) Split by 8 Key Regions, 2009-2014
5.3.4 Scenario Comparison
Figure 5.11: Base Station Electricity Costs ($m) Split by Scenario, 2008-2014
Table 5.17: Base Station Electricity Costs ($m) Split by Scenario, 2008-2014
5.3.5 Base Station Electricity Usage by Mobile Subscriber
Figure 5.12: Base Station Electricity Usage (kWh) Per Mobile Subscriber Per Annum Split by Scenario, 2008-2014
Table 5.18: Base Station Electricity Usage (kWh) Per Mobile Subscriber Per Annum Split by Scenario, 2008-2014

6. Environmentally Sustainable Business Practice

6.1 Introduction
6.2 Environmental Management
6.2.1 Waste Management
i. Network-related Waste
ii. Tertiary Waste
6.3 Teleconferencing and Teleworking
6.3.1 Case Study: TelePresence
Figure 6.1: Tandberg TelePresence T3 Videoconferencing Suite
6.4 Greener Transport
6.4.1 Greener Cars
i. LPG
6.4.2 Offset Fleet Emissions
6.4.3 Car Pooling
6.4.4 Alternative Means of Travel
6.5 Efficiencies in Online Data Storage
6.5.1 Case Studies: AT&T
6.6 Smart Networks
6.7 Paperless Billing
Figure 6.2: Orange (France Telecom), Consumer Uptake of Paperless Billing, Fixed and Mobile Customers 2008
Table 6.1: Hypothetical Reduction in Paper Wastage & CO2 Emissions Based on 50% Adoption of Paperless Billing, Selected Markets

Companies Referenced

A T & T, Andrew, China Mobile, Ericsson, ETC Ethiopia, France Telecom, Huawei, KPN, Motorola, Nokia Siemens Networks, Nokia, NTT DoCoMo, Nujira, Orange France, Orange UK, Safaricom, Tandberg, Telefonica, TeliaSonera, Telstra, T-Mobile UK, T-Mobile USA, Vodacom, Vodafone.