Cellular base stations in far-off places located beyond the reach of reliable - or any - electricity almost always get their power from diesel generators. But after experimenting for years with base stations powered by wind, solar energy, or biofuel, cellular equipment suppliers are preparing to roll out alternative energy technology in significant numbers, BusinessWeek reports.
The initial investment for such a base station is higher than that for one powered by diesel. But wind- and sun-powered stations cost dramatically less to operate, according to the article. Operators don’t have to worry about fluctuations in the price of oil and, according to Anne Larilahti, head of environmentally sustainable business at Nokia Siemens, “When you consider the total cost of ownership over five years, the business case starts to look very good.”
Nokia recently said that it wants to cut energy consumption at some of its mobile base stations by up to 40 percent by 2010.
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