Commscope, a global leader in infrastructure solutions for communications networks, has launched an energy conservation initiative to support the industry’s global efforts  in reducing power consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and operating costs.

“As the demand for better, faster services increases, the industry must also focus on how to reduce its network power and fossil fuel consumption, greenhouse emissions, operating costs and capital expenditures. Taking all these factors into consideration, CommScope’s new initiative helps wireless operators lower their energy costs and provides them with an innovative and reliable way of powering cell sites. It also helps operators lessen their impact on the environment.”, said Anil Trehan, vice president, Energy Solutions, CommScope.

It is estimated that the operation of telecommunications networks is responsible for 0.5 percent of all carbon dioxide emissions worldwide. With the wireless industry’s heightened awareness of their networks’ environmental impact, operators are seeking ways to rapidly reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a cleaner environment by reducing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that are being blamed as one of the potential causes of global climate change. This is why many operators have set goals to reduce their energy consumption by approximately 25 percent within the next 10 years.

“By partnering with CommScope, wireless operators have the ability to save an average of $5,000 per site, per year on energy consumption,” Trehan said. “In a 100-site network, that is an annual savings of $500,000. With more than one million cell sites around the world, operators can make significant reductions to their energy costs.”

To achieve many of these “green” goals, wireless operators can invest in clean and reliable backup power generators, remote shelter monitoring, amplifier upgrades, shelter cooling and hybrid cooling systems through CommScope’s new initiative.

Backup generators at cell sites are commonly powered by diesel fuel, and its exhaust contains greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide. By deploying a hydrogen fuel cell power solution from CommScope, operators can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and power consumption at cell sites.

Similarly, surveillance systems can be used to monitor security at cell cites. Operators now have an easier way to remotely monitor security, the temperature inside a shelter, fuel levels and other vital parameters using one solution.

In markets where wireless subscriptions are increasing at a rapid pace, stronger amplifiers are needed to provide better coverage. Wireless operators can upgrade their base stations and provide better coverage while at the same time using less power 

While in operation, all electronics produce waste heat. To keep the electronics operational, they must be cooled. A direct air/heat exchanger, designed with variable speed fans, consume less power than existing air-conditioning cabinets while providing sufficient electronics and battery cooling. Operators can protect their equipment by working with CommScope to devise a hybrid cooling solution that reduces a site’s cooling costs by approximately 85 percent when compared to traditional enclosure air conditioning.