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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