In a fast-changing world where devices are increasingly interconnected, any disruption to communications infrastructure can have costly consequences, and ensuring that connectivity remains uninterrupted requires a reliable power supply.

The status quo solution for powering off-grid telecoms infrastructure is the use of diesel generators to power base stations and installed temperature control equipment, supported by UPS backup systems. The fuel consumed by these generators is costly and is also one of the main sources of carbon emissions for network operators.

Communications technology continues to rapidly evolve, recently seen through the rollout of 5G network equipment to support the ever-increasing demand for data and connectivity from customers. The implications of the 5G paradigm for network operators are profound, as they will need to guarantee close to 100 percent uptime as tolerance for interruptions decreases.

The rollout of 5G and continuously evolving network requirements means that inevitably, the power requirement for networks will increase in the future.

If power requirements need to continue to rely on traditional diesel generator solutions, then costs and carbon emissions will in turn increase for network operators. Therefore they face increasing financial pressure as both operating costs and capital expenditure requirements continue to grow, as well as challenges in meeting corporate sustainability objectives.

Network operators must now act quickly and decisively to optimize energy usage and utilize more sustainable sources of energy to power their critical infrastructure. These challenges require innovative solutions and energy partners capable of providing reliable and pragmatic means of reducing carbon emissions and fuel costs by introducing energy efficiency measures and integrating alternative sources of energy into their power solutions.

Identifying Possible Solutions

Historically, diesel generators and temperature control equipment (which can comprise as much as 40 percent of base station power demand in the Middle East) have often been operated inefficiently.

This can be solved by installing more energy-efficient temperature control equipment and ensuring that diesel generators are sized correctly for each base station and loaded at their most efficient operating levels. Recent advances in IOT remote monitoring technology can drive significant operational efficiency improvements if energy partners have the required capabilities.

To further reduce fuel consumption, reducing both cost and carbon emissions, renewable sources of energy such as solar panels can be installed alongside generators and energy storage systems as combined hybrid micro-grid power solutions. Upgrading storage systems to more advanced lithium-ion batteries can also deliver two complementary benefits, allowing greater deployment of renewable energy sources and providing more reliable back-up systems to help eliminate the risk of network down-time.

By making use of the wide variety of technological innovations available to them, telecoms network operators can eliminate down-time whilst also significantly reducing their operating costs and carbon footprints.

A Trusted Energy Partner

Achieving this requires close support from forward-looking and technologically enabled energy partners, and RSS has invested heavily in obtaining the required technical capabilities to support network operators for all their power needs.

Adapting to the energy transition impacts a wide variety of businesses across many industry sectors, especially across the Middle East region where grid capacity is often insufficient for power demands and industrial applications are found in remote geographical areas. This, combined with the relative ease of sourcing diesel and other fossil fuel sources, results in many different businesses across the region relying on off-grid power solutions for extended durations.

As global fuel prices continue to be volatile, businesses are as a result increasingly exposed to this volatility for powering their operations. In addition, pressure to operate more sustainably is increasing from multiple directions, as customers and governments seek to transition to cleaner sources of energy.

If your business has operations that regularly makes use of temporary power solutions in its operations, especially if these requirements are longer term in nature, you could achieve significant carbon emissions reduction and fuel cost savings through converting to a hybrid micro-grid solution for your power needs.

Overview of a Hybrid Micro-grid System

RSS is a market leading provider of temporary power and cooling solutions that can seamlessly integrate solar and battery systems either on a standalone basis or in combination with diesel generators using cutting edge IOT technology. This can provide your organization with innovative and commercially attractive solutions for all your temporary power and cooling needs.

We operate on an open and transparent basis to clearly demonstrate the impact  and benefits that this technology can bring to your requirements, in order to help you reduce costs and achieve sustainability objectives.