Presentation on energy use by mobile networks and potential for sustainability gains in workshop 'Optical Communication Energy Efficiency – A Looming Crisis?' at the OECC/ACOFT conference, Melbourne, Australia, 6 July 2014

1. © GSM Association 2014
Mobile Energy Efficiency
Mobile Networks: Energy
Use & Sustainability
Melbourne, 6 July 2014
Dr Jack Rowley

2. 2
The mobile revolution

3. 3
Changing use of mobile phones
OFCOM, 2012; ITU, 2012
120x more data 79% indoors

4. 4
Evolution of mobile technologies
Ericsson Mobility Report, June 2014

5. 5
Mobile network energy footprint
 Total global electricity and diesel energy consumption by all mobile
networks was approximately 120 Terawatt hours (TWh) in 2010.
– Energy costs of $13 billion;
– Responsible for 70 Mt CO2e.
 Almost 80 TWh of the energy consumption was from grid electricity,
and just over 40 TWh was from diesel generators used in off‐grid and
unreliable grid locations.
– Typical generator efficiency is 20%.
 Total network energy consumption by mobile operators showed no
growth from 2009 to 2010.
– Increased energy per connection in emerging markets.
GSMA, Mobile’s Green Manifesto 2012

6. 6
GSMA Mobile Energy Efficiency Benchmarking
 Analytical approach allows operators to compare their networks
against one another and against their peers on a like-for-like basis
– Variables outside the operator’s control, e.g. population distribution and climate,
are ‘normalised’ using regression techniques.
 Networks are compared against four key performance indicators:
1. Energy consumption per mobile connection.
2. Energy consumption per unit mobile traffic.
3. Energy consumption per cell site.
4. Energy consumption per unit of mobile revenue.
 Quantifies potential efficiency gains, typically 10% to 25%.
 If all networks with above average energy consumption were
improved to the sector average mobile operators could save $1 billion
per annum at 2010 prices.

7. 7
Insight on networks with the lowest energy
usage
 Energy costs are managed aggressively by a person with relevant
expertise, typically at group level
 High quality energy data is available
 Electricity prices are high; diesel usage is minimised
 Network equipment is relatively new
 Emerging country networks owned by a European operator are more
energy efficient than their competitors

8. 8
Many different energy saving solutions
For example:
• Dynamic matching of network radio resources with traffic demand
• Free cooling systems which use separate battery coolers
• Fuel cells either as back-up or prime power
Energy efficiency
• Increase free cooling
• Use latest generation of a/c equipment
• Reduce battery cooling and/or increase set point
by using temperature resistant batteries
• Upgrade to more efficient rectifiers
• Activate more energy saving features
Fuel mix
• Reduce diesel consumption, e.g. by
generator-battery hybrids or
renewables
Infrastructure
• Reduce number of indoor versus outdoor sites
• Share more sites (although this has wider
commercial implications)
Measurement
• Install (more) smart meters or sub-
meters to increase data accuracy
STANDARD SOLUTIONS
MORE INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS
More innovation is needed!

9. 9
Example: Mobile Energy Efficiency
Optimisation
 Monitor 10 representative cell sites.
 On 4 sites deploy energy/carbon
saving equipment: GE Durathon
battery, Coolsure DC air-con, and
Ballard methanol fuel cell.
 Results:
 Trial showed energy savings of
30% for the GE battery and 60%
for A/C.
 Savings when rolled out network.
wide: US$6.2m and 19,700 TCO2.
 14 to 18 month paybacks.
 Implementation has begun.

10. 10
Green Power for Mobile program
Target = 118,000 green deployments or
20% of total off-grid sites

11. 11
GSMA Mobile’s Green Manifesto 2012
 Footprint of mobile industry.
– Total network CO2e emissions
in 2010 estimated at <0.2% of the
global total; lower than the
emissions of Austria.
– GSMA expects emissions per
connection to fall by 40% by 2020.
 Enabling role of mobile.
– 4 to 5 times own footprint.
– Smart applications.
– Mobile M2M connections could
enable savings equivalent to taking
four million cars off the road.
www.gsma.com/environment

12. 12
Potential GHG savings in 2020
www.gsma.com/environment
Network monitoring.
Micro-generation.
Load optimisation.
Fleet management.
Traffic management.

13. 13
The smart home and energy use
GSMA 2011
International Energy Agency, 2014
Smart phones can maintain connectivity for as little as 0.5 mW.

14. 14
Summary
 Growing demand for wireless communications means
expansion of mobile networks.
 Mobile industry needs to continue to work on reducing its
own footprint.
 More work needed to scale the enabling benefits of
wireless in other sectors.

15. 15
Thank you
 Contact: Dr Jack Rowley
 Job title: Senior Director
Research & Sustainability
 email:
environment@gsma.com
mee@gsma.com
 Website:
www.gsma.com
Acknowledgment: Mark Anderson, GSMA.