The successful demonstration of renewable energy sources in a 5G mobile site has been confirmed by Deutsche Telekom and Ericsson. Both companies collaborated to convert a live radio station utilizing a management system to optimize power supply and demand by leveraging solar and wind energy.
The site in Dittenheim, 120 kilometers north of Munich, has been partially powered by solar panels for over a year as part of a prior collaboration between the two enterprises. Wind turbines have now been installed as part of a new trial to increase the site’s renewable energy capability. Acting as a second renewable energy power source, the wind turbine is capable of providing up to 5kW of additional electricity. When the conditions are ideal, the facility may run entirely on renewable energy, eliminating the requirement for use of the electrical power grid.
The Ericsson Power System, which handles the two power sources as well as the batteries built into the system, makes the combined solution possible. This technology not only allows for more efficient energy use from multiple sources, but it also allows the batteries to act as dynamic power storage units, accumulating renewable energy when it is available.
Leif Heitzer, SVP Technology Guidance and Economics at Deutsche Telekom, said: “Ensuring an integrated management of clean, efficient and reliable power sources and usage is key for sustainable mobile site operations. Together with innovative partners we explore in trials how we can apply intelligent solutions and capabilities to optimize energy consumption and control at mobile sites.”
“At Ericsson, we are committed to working with our customers to support them in cutting their carbon emissions. This partnership is a great example of how we’re achieving this through our best-in-class energy efficient equipment, which can be operated entirely with renewable energy,” added Heather Johnson, Vice President for Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility at Ericsson.
The next project phase will see the creation of new functionalities for making better use of generated energy and storage capacity. In the near future, the incorporation of alternative energy sources such as fuel cells will eliminate the need for diesel generators, which are now required to be on standby in case of power emergencies.
