Energy Optimization at GSM Base Station Sites Located in Rural Areas

Abstract

This paper explores the best energy options by which the choice of the most energy optimized solution for a given GSM Base Station Site and location in any rural area in Nigeria can be made. The patterns of load consumption by mobile base stations at various geographical locations in rural areas are studied and suitably modeled for optimization using HOMER software. Simulation results show the optimized energy options to be superior to conventional solutions whereby diesel generators are currently used to power GSM Base Station Sites around Nigeria. Total Net Present Cost (NPC) and total impact on the environment are used as indices for measuring the optimization level of each energy solution. The solution with the highest optimization value is considered to be the best energy option for that Base Station Site.