Broadband ISP and mobile operator EE (BT) has today become the latest network operator to switch-on a self-powered 4G and 5G (broadband) mobile site, which uses a mix of solar power and a wind turbine to help support its operation in a remote rural area of the Shropshire Hills (England). The deployment represents a trial, but more could follow.
The idea of using on-site renewable energy sources to power mobile masts is nothing new and, indeed, we still haven’t forgotten Vodafone’s upside down lawnmower approach from 2022 (here). EE states that 100% of their trial site’s power requirements will similarly be delivered by renewable energy sources, 70% of which are generated by on-site solar and wind.
The trial site, which was identified through an environmental assessment, also features battery storage that will help to keep it powered during the night and other periods of low wind or solar generation. In the event of there being an insufficient renewable energy source available and the battery power being fully discharged, a generator powered by Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuel will act as a backup (HVO is classed as a green fuel).
BT said they expect the site to deliver approximately 17,000kWh of wind and solar energy per year, as well as cost savings upwards of £10k. The savings are important because building all of that new kit is going to be expensive and will need to pay for itself over the medium to longer-term in order to be viable. Not to mention the need to replace the kit as it reaches end-of-life.
Greg McCall, BT Group’s Chief Networks Officer, said:
“Delivering ubiquitous coverage is critically important in an age where connectivity has never been so central to everyday life, but it absolutely must be done in a responsible and sustainable manner. It’s paramount that we increase the energy-efficiency of our networks, and so we’re really excited about the potential of self-powering sites in enabling us to meet both our sustainability and connectivity ambitions.”
While the Shropshire Hills site serves as a trial, BT says they’ve already identified “hundreds of additional locations“, which have the “potential” to derive much of their power from on-site renewable sources, in particular in coastal or hilly locations. But such sites will also require more space, which can cause problems for private landowners and may increase the cost and complexity of related wayleaves. Time will tell how many are actually viable to build.