China Mobile on course to hit 40 percent energy reduction target by 2010

China Mobile is set to exceed the Chinese government's 20 percent target for reducing energy consumption per unit GDP by successfully slashing its own consumption by 40 percent over five years to 2010. Close cooperation with vendors and trials of novel solutions have been critical in this process.

 

As a leading communications service provider, China Mobile set itself the goal of beating government energy efficiency targets by challenging itself to achieve a 40 percent reduction throughout its operations, as set out in the corporation’s own Green Action Plan. The aim is to protect the environment and differentiate China Mobile as a sustainable provider in an increasingly competitive market.

“We are working actively with our equipment suppliers to carry out our Green Plan using innovation and experimentation.”

Liu Bo, General Manager, Planning Department,

China Mobile Yunnan

First published in 2007, the company’s Green Action Plan relies heavily on developing novel environmental solutions in cooperation with its suppliers. Nokia Siemens Networks’ end-to-end environmental solution is playing a key role in keeping China Mobile on track to meet its 2010 target. Some of the most groundbreaking work has taken place in Yunnan province, where the two companies have been trialling three of the latest energy-saving solutions from Nokia Siemens Networks. Together the trials aim to bring down the overall energy used by base station (BTS) sites, which typically account for approximately 85 percent of network energy consumption.

Challenges

  • Build an environmentally sustainable brand and win market share by differentiating from the competition as a “green” business
  • Reduce energy consumption by 40 percent over five years to 2010

Driving down consumption with efficient equipment

The first trial tested the efficiency of a Nokia Siemens Network Flexi BTS alongside previous base station technology. The alternative base stations were each equipped with energy-saving software that shuts down the power during any time slots that are not being used. This in itself yields typical savings of 20 percent. Overall BTS site level savings of up to 70 percent are possible.

Solution

  • Develop green solutions across all operations in cooperation with equipment vendors. Invest in renewable energy supplies such as solar and wind
  • Reduce power consumption, save space and reduce material usage with Flexi BTS installations, including smart, energy-saving software and novel cooling solutions

Renewables cost-effective for remote sites

The second trial tested the economic feasibility of using solar cells to power a Flexi BTS site. The initial installation costs were found to be similar to the cost of establishing a connection to the electricity supply grid five kilometers away, with solar power being a more cost-effective option for anything further away from the grid. In addition, ongoing operating costs were significantly lower for the solar powered site.

Benefits

  • Exceed government energy-saving targets and differentiate from the competition by making savings at each BTS site
  • Reduced energy consumption and the wider use of renewable energy leads directly to a substantial reduction in overall operating costs

Intelligent cooling cuts air conditioning costs

The need for air conditioning varies according on the ambient conditions at any given site, but cooling typically accounts for around 30 percent of the energy consumed by a conventional BTS. The third Yunnan trial therefore focused on reducing the need for air conditioning. The Flexi BTS itself needs no air conditioning, but other equipment such as the on-site batteries still generate too much heat to be managed without some active cooling.

Intelligent site cooling protects temperature-sensitive elements while enabling the general temperature around the site to be set at a higher level. Overall, the trial showed that intelligent cooling cut air conditioning energy expenditure during the tests by as much as 29 percent, by promoting the use of free fresh air for cooling.

Extending the co-operation further

The co-operation between the two organizations does not end there, however, and Nokia Siemens Networks is helping China Mobile to make environmental improvements in every area of its operations. For example, Nokia Siemens Networks has switched its equipment packaging from conventional wooden crates to sturdy cardboard boxes, making it far easier to recycle. Similarly, the compact size of the Flexi BTS not only makes it easier to site, but reduces the materials used in construction too.

Nokia Siemens Networks’ “take-back” and recycle policy for network equipment completes the picture by helping China Mobile reduce its environmental impact throughout the supply chain.