The mobile telecommunications revolution powers ahead, as does the amount of electricity required to run mobile networks.
Powering mobile communications infrastructure is particularly challenging in developing countries where many base stations are in remote areas with limited mains grid power. Often these off grid mobile towers are powered by diesel generators; continuing a reliance on fossil fuels and adding to greenhouse gas emissions.
However, a new report from Pike Research forecasts that renewable energy will power 4.5% of the world’s mobile base stations by 2014, up from a tiny 0.11% this year.
In developing countries, the percentage of renewable energy powered base stations will be even higher; with Pike forecasting 8% of base stations in those regions will utilize clean and renewable sources by 2014.
"As solar and wind equipment become more cost-effective in the next few years, renewable energy will be an increasingly attractive option for base station power, in combination with batteries and fuel cells," says Pike Research Managing Director Clint Wheelock.
Pike Research’s analysis also states mobile network infrastructure equipment is rapidly becoming more energy-efficient, which will make it even easier and economical to integrate renewable energy into mobile networks and lessening carbon emissions associated with network operations.
This Pike Research report analyses the business opportunities, technology requirements, and environmental impacts of green telecom initiatives on a worldwide basis. An Executive Summary of the "Green Telecom Networks" is available for free download from Pike Research.
