As telecom operators in India expand their network coverage, they are faced with the inadequacies of power grids and the risks of unexpected outages. Conventionally, telecom operators have used diesel generators alongside grid supply for energy storage. However, these generators can only store limited amounts of diesel fuel on-site, requiring refuelling every six to eight hours of operation. This generated a need for efficient and sustainable energy storage solutions. Telecom net­works require reliable power backup solutions that can operate for hours, or even days, in the event of power grid failures due to severe weather conditions, natural disasters or poor grid quality. Given the importance of uninterrupted power su­pply, energy storage plays an integral role in systems designed to supply power to telecom towers and infrastructure sites.

Ongoing trends

Battery energy storage systems (BESSs) are gaining popularity in the telecom industry owing to their ability to offer several benefits, such as improved power qu­ality, reduced operational costs and re­du­ced carbon footprint. In addition to providing backup power during power outages, BESSs help stabilise the grid by ab­sorbing and releasing energy as needed.

The telecom industry has seen a surge in the adoption of BESS, primarily due to two reasons. First, the expansion of telecom networks is driving the demand for energy storage solutions. Second, advanc­e­ments in battery technology, such as solid-state batteries and flow batteries, are gaining traction as they offer higher energy storage capacities. Moreover, advancements like the integration of smart energy management systems and the deployment of 5G and future 6G technology will further fuel the demand for BESS.

Meanwhile, with increasing concerns about climate change, there is a growing demand for renewable energy sources. The telecom industry accounts for 1.6 per cent of global CO2 emissions within the information and communication technology (ICT) sector. Thus, solar power offers an attractive alternative as it serves as a clean source of energy to power and store en­ergy for telecom infrastructure. More­over, hybrid energy systems have been implemented to power telecom towers, incorporating renewable energy technologies such as solar PV panels, wind turbi­n­es, fuel cells and microturbines.

Telecom tower owners have also discovered that switching to an outdoor base transceiver station can reduce power consumption by more than 50 per cent. In this case, lithium-ion (Li-ion) and flow batteries have demonstrated better results than valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) gel batteries, which are more resistant to temperature fluctuations than other lead-acid technologies.

A look at the emerging energy storage solutions for powering the telecom network…

Battery-powered solutions

BESS is widely used in the telecom industry to efficiently manage energy. They act as backup power sources, ensuring the uninterrupted operation of telecom towers during grid outages or blackouts. There are three primary types of batteries in the telecom industry:

  • Li-ion batteries: These batteries have come to the forefront of the energy storage revolution, gaining traction for their high energy density, lightweight design, rapid charging capabilities, portability and long lifespan for telecom applications. They play a crucial role in supplying power to mobile phone relay stations, cable TV terminals and other facilities due to their technological capabilities and cu­stomisable properties. They also provide exceptional stability and disaster resilience. Reliance Jio Limited was am­ong the first telcos to employ Li-ion batteries in its telecom grids.
  • Lead-acid batteries: Specially designed for the telecom market, lead-acid batteries ensure maximum performance accor­ding to the load capacity. They are cost-effective and demonstrate reliable performance, but come with a shorter lifespan. Furthermore, they can be used as off-grid energy storage systems due to their scalability and compatibility. Lead-acid batteries come in several varieties, including wet batteries, sealed lead-acid (SLA) batteries, gel batteries and absorbent glass mat (AGM) batteries:
  • SLA batteries are more durable than standard lead-acid batteries because they are sealed in the case, requiring less maintenance. This makes them a better option for long-term usage in telecom systems.
  • Gel batteries are similar to SLA batteries but with a thickened gel instead of water, which improves battery durability without reducing efficiency.
  • AGM batteries are the most efficient lead-acid batteries and require very little maintenance. They are more aff­or­dable and the preferred option for many telecom companies.
  • VRLA batteries: They are best known for their maintenance-free operation and wide application in telecommunications. They maintain a high energy density and are ideal for locations with limited or no space. Moreover, VRLA batteries offer excellent deep discharge recovery and can be recharged quickly, making them ideal for telecom networks.

Green energy solutions

For the telecom industry, a shift towards more sustainable practices is paramount, as the sector is currently responsible for 2-3 per cent of the global energy consumption. A solar battery storage system serves as an essential component, providing a cost-effective solution to store excess energy generated by solar panels during the day for future use. Moreover, solar battery sto­rage systems can help telecom operators reach their sustainability goals by mitigating carbon emissions. By providing grid-independent power during high demand, solar energy ensures uninterrupted comm­unication services. There are several types of renewable solutions, including:

  • Lead-acid solar batteries: These are the traditional type of batteries used for solar power storage. They possess universal compatibility with most solar systems and are affordable and reliable with a proven track record.
  • Li-ion solar batteries: These are the most common type of batteries used in solar energy storage systems as they are lighter and more efficient than lead-acid batteries, and have a longer lifespan. Li-ion batteries offer a high energy density and low self-discharge rate, making them ideal for solar energy storage.
  • Flow batteries: Flow batteries are a sustainable energy storage option for telcos. They can improve the reliability of the telecom network by increasing the operational runtime of the backup power system. They can also store hundreds of megawatt-hours of energy, en­ough to keep thousands of homes running on a single charge. Further, they have 100 per cent discharge capabilities and offer excellent efficiency with a life span of 20 years or longer.
  • Nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries: Ni-Cd batteries are cost-effective and offer a good balance between performance and lifespan. They are a reliable energy storage solution for solar PV and wind turbines.
  • Fuel cells: Fuel cell systems provide ba­ck­up power to critical communication network infrastructures in wireless, fixed and broadband telecom applications. Th­e­­se systems enable telecoms to cost-effec­ti­vely deploy their services in areas beyo­nd the grid or with poor grid supp­ly. They can run non-stop until fuel is av­ai­lable, making them a viable renewable energy solution to replace diesel generators. In fact, the telecom industry has be­en among the early adopters of fuel cells.

In addition, solar PV offers attractive options for powering telecom towers due to the abundance of solar energy in various parts of the world. Many telecom sites in In­dia have already been equipped with re­newable energy technologies such as so­lar PV, wind power, fuel cells and other sources of clean energy. However, solar power paired with fuel cells could present a particularly reliable and sustainable alternative.

Developments in India

In September 2023, the government app­roved a viability gap funding worth Rs 37.6 billion for BESS projects with the goal of developing 4,000 MWh worth of BESS projects by 2030-31. The primary aim is to reduce the cost of battery storage systems, making them more accessible and affordable.

Moreover, India’s Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) battery market holds immense potential, with an estimated annual value to surpass $15 billion by 2030. The production of the first set of ACC batteries in the country is expected to commence by January 2024.

Meanwhile, India’s telecom industry has begun tapping into green energy so­urces, and in the coming decade, the solarisation of tower sites is expected to rise. Cu­rrently, approximately 30,000-40,000 sites of Jio are powered by solar energy, and Bha­rti Airtel is heavily investing in the so­larisation of its towers. Bharat Sanchar Nig­am Limited’s 4G sites are also set to use solar power. Considering the cost, availability and reliability of diesel, the government has undertaken a policy decision to promote renewable power sources and energy storage solutions. The government is aiming to convert 10 per cent of the total cell sites to renewable energy.

Powering the future

Going forward, the integration of artificial intelligence, cloud computing applications and internet of things in battery management systems is also expected to enhance efficiency and optimise performance in the telecom sector. Thus, as leading telcos ex­plore innovative energy storage solutions and technologies, there is a need for joint efforts from stakeholders, telecom operato­rs and the government to reduce CO2 emi­ssions and optimise the sector’s energy costs to facilitate enhanc­ed backup capacity.