Wireless Carriers Consider Green Energy Sources to Improve Coverage, Save Money

Wireless industry technicians are looking for new, “green,” ways to provide back-up power for cell stations. Among the technologies being considered are wind turbines, solar panels, and hydrogen fuel cells.

 

The environmental impact of providing wireless access is growing, Associated Press noted in a recent report, and providers are seeking ways to reverse the trend. Conventional power remains cheaper, however, so in most cases alternative energy sources are used as back-ups only.

 

An average cell tower requires four to eight times more power than a typical household, AP said in its report. It is estimated that there are more than 200,000 antennas and wireless cell towers in United States.

 

Green energy for wireless communications is still in its infancy, AP noted. It is particularly appealing in remote areas where there is more freedom to experiment because of minimal zoning regulations. Alternatives are being tried out as a way to ensure that cell stations stay operational. So far, at least, customers care more that their mobile devices work than whether the power used comes from a green source or not.

 

“I think we're hearing a lot more about dependability in terms of the wireless network," the AP report quoted Jackie McCarthy, director of governmental affairs at PCIA  — The Wireless Infrastucture Associations, as saying. “I don't think the whole 'green' wireless site development (issue) has really gotten to our infrastructure providers yet.”

 

Carriers, though, say there is more to the use of green technology than that. They will also consider using alternative energy sources if it saves money, AP reported. The report quoted Bob Azzi, Sprint Nextel (News - Alert) Corp.’s senior vice president of field engineering and operations, as saying that green technology can solve problems associated with using traditional generators.

 

With this in mind, Sprint Nextel Corp. has assembled a wind turbine at its headquarters, and is testing natural gas fueled mini turbines for backup power in California, AP said.  The company is also experimenting with geothermal cooling as an alternative for conventionally-powered air conditioning in warmer climates.

 

“Mini turbines have the advantage of being quieter, they’re more reliable and we think they're more efficient than traditional diesel power generators,” Azzi was quoted as saying in the report.

 

Miles Schreiner, director of national operations planning at T-Mobile (News - Alert) USA (a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom AG) said fuel cells cost twice as much as standard batteries or generators and are valued primarily because they are reliable and have lower emissions.

 

Sprint has been testing out solar and wind-powered systems, AP said, and last year began using a small number of hydrogen fuel cells in the Northeast.

 

“One advantage to alternative power is you get some kickbacks from states in terms of tax incentives,” Schreiner was quoted as saying in the report. “We're looking at the viability of the long term. We're a business like any other carrier so the question is, ‘Is the trade-up and capital outlay worth the costs?’”

 

AT&T (News - Alert) and Verizon Wireless are also considering alternative energy sources, AP said.