T.R. Dua, Director General, DIPA

With the advent of 5G technology, a significant rise in towers, small cells, and base transceiver stations (BTSs) is anticipated. There are concerns that this will result in an acceleration of greenhouse gas (GHG) and carbon emissions, contributing to global warming. To mitigate the adverse effects on the overall ecosystem by the telecom sector, steps must be taken towards “green telecom” in order to lessen energy consumption and transition towards renewable energy sources.

Contribution to climate change

Telecom services have become an integral part of our lives, being central to communication, information and entertainment. Telecom towers play a pivotal role in this process. The operations of these towers re­quire continuous electricity from the power grid to provide interruption-free telecom services, with the majority of the electricity sourced from emission-intensive thermal power plants. In the event of power cuts, the operations of these towers are sustained by diesel generator (DG) sets and battery ba­ckup. Both the grid energy and DG sets further contribute to the emission of GHGs, thus increasing the carbon footprint. To address this, telecom companies ha­ve been exploring the adoption of green in­formation and communications technologies (ICT), which involves leveraging digital technology to enhance efficiency and su­stainability while reducing carbon emissions.

Green ICT

Green ICT refers to the application of ICT to reduce the environmental impact of economic activities. It involves the use of digital technologies to improve the efficiency and sustainability of business operations, reduce carbon emissions and promote the transition to a low-carbon economy.

With improved grid availability and its expansion to rural locations, there has been significant progress in terms of grid accessibility. Despite these efforts, 35-40 per cent of sites are still dependent on DGs as a source of backup. However, telcos have made efforts and conducted trials to make solar power solutions economically viable.

In the past, telcos utilised 4-5 kW of solar power per site, which has now in­c-reased to 10 kW per site due to the dep­loyment of additional BTSs/eNodeBs for 4G/5G networks. However, deploying solar power and associated energy storage solutions is a capex-heavy exercise.

The global telecom/ICT industry ac­counts for a carbon footprint of 1.43 per cent. In India, the telecom industry contributes approximately 9 per cent to the carbon footprint. While this may seem relatively low compared to other industrial sectors, it is pertinent to recognise that this needs to be minimised further.

Green telecom movement

The green telecom movement is gaining traction in India and other countries, which is a positive sign for the telecommunications industry and the environment. Several factors contribute to the rising popularity of the green telecom movement:

  • Environmental awareness: With inc­rea­sed global awareness regarding clima­te change and its potential consequences, businesses and industries, including the telecom sector, are under pressure to adopt sustainable practices and reduce their carbon emissions.
  • Cost savings: Embracing green practices, such as using renewable energy so­urces like solar and wind power, can lead to significant cost savings in the long run. By reducing reliance on traditional energy sources such as diesel generators, telecom companies can lower their operational expenses.
  • Government incentives: Governments worldwide are offering incentives and favourable policies to encourage busine­sses to adopt green technologies and practices. These incentives can further mo­tivate telecom operators to invest in sustainable solutions.
  • Public perception: Consumers are be­co­ming more conscious of the environmental impacts associated with the products and services they use. Telecom companies that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability may gain a competitive edge and attract environmentally consci­ous customers.
  • Corporate social responsibility (CSR): Many telecom operators view sustainability initiatives as part of their CSR efforts. By actively participating in green practices, they can enhance their reputation and contribute positively to society.
  • Technological advancements: Advan­c­e­­ments in renewable energy technologies, energy storage solutions and energy-efficient network equipment have made it more feasible for telecom companies to transition to green practices. As the green telecom movement gains traction, it is crucial for the industry to susta­in its commitment to environmentally friendly practices and continue seeking in­novative solutions to reduce its carbon footprint. Collaborative efforts among tele­com operators, infrastructure provi­ders, technology providers and govern­me­nts are essential to achieve significant progress in this area.  By adopting green ICT, investing in renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency and fostering responsible waste management, the telecom industry can be a driving for­ce in building a sustainable and eco-frie­ndly future, while maintaining its position as a critical and essential sector of the economy.

Indeed, the telecommunications industry in India, similar to that in other countries, faces the challenge of balancing technological advan­ce­ments and environmental sustainability. The sector has experienced tremendous growth, with a vast consumer base and an expanding network infrastructure. How­ever, this growth has also led to significant energy consumption and carbon emissions, making it essential for the industry to adopt green practices to mitigate its impact on the environment.

Green business model

Telecom towers consume 65-70 per cent of energy from the operations of telecom networks. To reduce its environmental impact, there is an urgent need to move towards renewable energy sources for telecom towers, promoting the establishment of green telecom towers for energy efficiency.

Therefore, it is recommended that business models incorporate the following components:

  • Emphasis on energy storage: Optimi­sing tele-infrastructure and network elements through the use of extensive energy storage systems, promoting the proliferation of battery manufacturing and placing an emphasis on reducing diesel usage for powering tower sites.
  • Mandates for energy as a service: Ma­n­dating the establishment and exclusive use of renewable energy service companies for powering telecom infrastructure through renewable energy technology across the telecom value chain.
  • Scaling up battery manufacturing: Li­thium-ion (Li-ion) batteries offer a gree­ner alternative to its counterpart, valve-regulated lead-acid batteries. A collective shift towards the exclusive utilisation of Li-ion batteries in telecom networks has the potential to contribute to a 30 per cent reduction in opex.

Barriers to renewable energy implementation

There are significant barriers hindering the implementation of renewable energy for green telecom that need to be addressed. These include:

  • Many renewable energy technologies remain expensive due to higher capital costs compared to conventional energy supplies for bulk energy supply to urban areas or major industries.
  • Deploying renewable energy technol­ogies requires a significant initial investment and may need support for relatively long periods before reaching profitability.
  • There is still much work to be done in raising consumer awareness regarding the benefits and opportunities of renewable energy.

Financial, legal, regulatory and organ­isational barriers must be addressed to successfully implement renewable energy technologies and develop markets in India.

Current status of implementation

India has been making concerted efforts to promote green telecommunications. The government, in collaboration with telecom service providers/infra providers, has initiated various measures to reduce the carbon footprint of the telecommunications sector. Some key developments and initiatives include:

Renewable energy integration

Telecom companies have been encouraged to shift from traditional sources of energy to renewable sources. Many companies ha­ve started installing solar panels, wind turbines and fuel cells to power their cell towers and other infrastructure. Overall, app­roximately 30 per cent of the sites are die­sel-free sites. As of March 2023, the number of diesel-free sites has gone up to 223,904, as compared to 90,911 sites in Dec­ember 2016. As a result, there has been an annual saving of approximately 570 million litres of diesel.

Use of Li-ion batteries for powering sites

Telecom companies are opting for Li-ion batteries due to their high power density, deep cycling capability and significantly longer service life compared to lead-acid batteries. Li-ion batteries are maintenance-free, recharge very quickly and ultimately offer the lowest total cost of ownership.

Shut DG project

The Green Sites project was designed to run telecom network operations without us­ing diesel as a power backup. Instead, the network is powered by a more envir­onmentally friendly advanced battery bank solution without compromising on network uptime.

Shut AC initiative

This initative aims to replace air conditioners with free cooling units, which consume less energy and are specifically designed to control the internal environment of cell site enclosures.

Efficient battery deployment

Efficient battery deployment can be done by using a combo solution, comprising the NCU, turbo solutions, variable speed DG sets and micro cooling solutions. This targets sites with temperature-sensitive equipment, cooling them separately.

E-waste management

The government has introduced regulations for the proper disposal and recycling of el­e­c­tronic waste generated by the telecommunications sector. Telecom operators are re­quired to adhere to these guidelines and ensure responsible e-waste management.

Other measures adopted by infrastructure providers on energy management are:

  • Conversion of indoor sites to outdoor si­tes. At present, about 60 per cent of si­t­es have been converted to outdoor, re­q­uiring less energy.
  • Installed the latest products, such as high-efficiency rectifiers, variable ACDG kits and DCDG kits.
  • Incorporated state-of-the-art remote monitoring systems and big data analytics into their systems.
  • Raising awareness regarding the importance of green telecom.
  • Upskilling and training employees to implement green initiatives in their orga­nisations.

Conclusion

With the proliferation of broadband and mobile devices, there has been significant growth in the number of telecom towers and associated electronics at the base stations. It is expected that 5G-based technology mobile networks will be rolled out and expanded quickly in India. This will significantly increase the number of towers. The government should push the ad­option of the latest technologies to re­duce power requirements and expedite the transition towards green energy sour­ces. This will reduce GHG and carbon emissions, thus helping to maintain the ecological balance.