Tuesday, 20 May 2025

NTT DOCOMO Trialled Japan’s First Self-powered Hydropower Base Station

In a move to advance sustainable telecom infrastructure, NTT DOCOMO launched a trial of Japan’s first self-powered hydropower mobile base station in May 2024. The initiative aimed to explore the viability of using flowing water from irrigation canals and similar sources to generate renewable energy for base stations, particularly in rural locations where power options are limited.

The trial featured a compact hydroelectric system based on a jet turbine co-developed with Professor Yukihiro Shimatani of the Prefectural University of Kumamoto. The turbine design integrated the nozzle and turbine into a single unit, which allowed for simplified manufacturing using 3D printing. This approach reduced both complexity and cost, making it suitable for distributed deployments in hard-to-reach areas.

The hydropower system was designed to generate electricity and convert it into a usable form for powering mobile base stations. It also collected real-time data on power output, water flow and pressure. This data was transmitted to DOCOMO’s Energy Management System platform, which monitored and controlled power distribution while visualising the reduction in CO2 emissions achieved through the system.

DOCOMO had previously relied on solar-powered green base stations to reduce its environmental impact. By March 2024, the company had deployed 286 such sites, equipped with photovoltaic panels and large storage batteries to maintain operations during grid outages. However, in areas where solar energy was not practical, DOCOMO explored alternative renewable sources, with hydropower emerging as a promising candidate.

The hydropower base station trial formed part of DOCOMO’s broader environmental commitment. The company had set out to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from its operations by 2030 and across its supply chain by 2040. With mobile base stations accounting for approximately seventy percent of DOCOMO’s energy use, the trial addressed a critical aspect of energy sustainability.

Over the one-year demonstration period, DOCOMO aimed to optimise the system’s electrical design and integration with mobile infrastructure. It also assessed which types of base stations could benefit most from hydroelectric power and how the system could be scaled for broader deployment. The company targeted March 2025 as the timeline for evaluating results and considering next steps.

This trial represented more than just an engineering exercise. It reflected a growing focus within the telecoms sector on decarbonisation, resilience and innovation. By experimenting with alternative renewable energy sources, DOCOMO showed how network operators could adapt infrastructure for a lower-carbon future, while improving coverage and reliability in off-grid areas.

As telecom networks continue to expand, projects like this highlighted the importance of flexible, locally sourced power solutions in shaping a sustainable infrastructure roadmap.

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Tuesday, 6 May 2025

How Vodafone UK Prepares its Network for Storms and Heatwaves

Extreme weather is a growing concern for mobile network operators, and Vodafone is no exception. Storms and heatwaves can damage infrastructure, interrupt power supply, and delay repair work. To keep people connected during such events, Vodafone has developed a range of technical measures and operational strategies that help it prepare for and respond to disruption.

The most exposed part of the network is the mast, which is usually above ground and can be up to 25 metres tall. While it is not possible to make these completely immune to bad weather, Vodafone designs them with resilience in mind. Many mast sites are equipped with backup batteries and generator connection points, provided there is space to install them safely.

Vodafone operates around 18,000 masts across the UK. Each one is part of the wider Radio Access Network, with traffic routed through dedicated signalling controllers hosted in secure data centres. These centres are equipped to maintain at least one mobile service, even in the event of a power outage, by prioritising the use of backup power.

In rural areas, some masts rely on microwave links instead of fibre or copper connections. These links require a clear line of sight between masts, so engineers carry out preventative maintenance to remove any vegetation that might interfere with signal transmission.

The Network Operations Centre (NOC) monitors the network and directs field engineers. During weather alerts, Vodafone increases staffing levels to improve response times and ensure the right resources are in place. Temperature sensors at mast sites detect heat-related issues and automatically alert the NOC if thresholds are exceeded. This can lead to quick interventions, such as cleaning or replacing clogged air filters in cooling systems.

If a mast repeatedly shows signs of overheating, the NOC flags it for further investigation. Possible solutions include enhanced maintenance schedules or upgrading the cooling technology. Despite all these precautions, access and repair work after storms or floods can still be complicated by damaged roads or infrastructure. Engineers may need to assess fibre cables, antennas or even the structural integrity of masts.

Where power supply is disrupted for extended periods, Vodafone’s network planners must carefully manage the use of batteries and generators. Coordination with external bodies such as the National Grid is often essential.

By investing in resilient infrastructure and ensuring rapid response capabilities, Vodafone aims to keep its mobile network running reliably, even in the face of increasingly unpredictable weather.

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