Development of hybrid power system controller for mobile telecom base stations

Abstract

Most of the telecom base stations are sited at elevated locations to get best signal propagation. If the area is isolated and away from the national grid of commercial power, it will involve higher capital investments for extending the grid to obtain commercial power, leaving the base station to be none profitable and none cost recovering. Moreover, until the grid power connection, which involves considerable time period for grid extension, base station will be required to operate with full time generator operation, further reducing the profitability of the project.

As a solution, to match the remote site constraints, alternative energy systems can be considered. A power system controller has been developed which suits for telecom base stations to integrate alternative energy sources, solar and wind with the generator and the battery backup to fulfill the power requirements of base stations, which reduces the operation cost as well as Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for the base station.

Installation of the controller and implementing alternative energy system at a Dialog base station, practical data were obtained which showed an operational cost saving nearly 90%.Most importantly, the calculated payback period was less than three years when compared with full time generator operation, with the practical details obtained from the operational site.