NTT DOCOMO has recently announced that it has verified its prototype green base station with dual power-source control technology to be able to deliver electricity savings of more than 95% for solar and off-peak usage. At the same time, the technology also proved to reduce electricity consumption for on-peak by approximately 90%. The electricity saving was measured by the power consumption of the base station power-source control system, said the company.
According to NTT DOCOMO, Lithium-ion batteries store excess solar electricity generated during the daytime and off-peak electricity generated during the nighttime. Stored electricity is used as the primary source between dusk—once solar-electricity generation becomes unavailable—and 11pm, when off-peak electricity becomes available.
NTT DOCOMO added that currently 10 prototype green base stations are undergoing field-testing. Three will be used for verification and evaluation of the dual power-source control technology. Following this further extensive field-testing, DOCOMO plans to commercialize 11 green base stations nationwide by the end of March. Going forward, DOCOMO will continue to pursue its development of more efficient power-source control systems to further reduce the environmental impact, as well as strengthen the sustainability of its mobile communications network.