Recent Advances in Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Engineering

Low-energy power system for base transceiver station

Boubekeur Dokkar2*, Nasreddine Chennouf1, Abdelghani Dokkar1, Abderrahmane Gouareh1.
1
Laboratoire de valorisation et promotion des ressources sahariennes, University of Kasdi Merbah
2
Laboratoire des Ressources Souterrains pétroliers gaziers et aquifères, University of Kasdi Merbah,
Z.I. Route Ghardaia 30000 Ouargla,
ALGERIA.

Abstract: - This paper presents a comparative study of power supply systems for mobile phone stations. Base
transceiver stations (BTS) are situated in South-eastern Algeria, mainly at neighboring of Ouargla city. In order
to rationalize the energy consumption, three cooling methods are examined. The first is insured by mono-bloc
air conditioning and a diesel driven generator supplies the station where the energy consumption is calculated
by using energy bills. In the second method, the evaluation of the cooling energy is based on degree-days
calculation and the net transceiver consumption is added. But, for the last approach, a compounded renewable
energy system is adopted which according station type includes; photovoltaic (PV) field, dry batteries, Earth-air
heat exchanger and solar chimney. The obtained results show a significant energy consumption fall due
essentially to cooling energy decrease. Indeed, for insuring the operating of pylon station type during all year,
we need only small capacities of PV panel. In addition, long term prospection study with trend and voluntary
models indicates that the payback of renewable energy investment will be carried out at least in five years for
standalone station.

Key-Words: - transceiver station, Earth-air heat exchanger, solar chimney, photovoltaic, energy cost

1 Introduction $196,975, an operation cost of $3109 and a cost of

Mobile phone operators seek to extend their markets energy produced of 0.372 $/kWh.
in remote areas and provide better services. So, they L. Han et al. [5] studied an integrated air conditioner
must solve the problem of electricity supply in cost- with thermosyphon (IACT) as an efficient cooling
effective way [1]. In these areas, the diesel generator device for mobile phone base stations in China,
supply has become a much less viable solution due combining vapor compression refrigeration with a
to its high operating cost and low system efficiency thermosyphon. The comparison with the traditional
[2]. Also, this stations registry a lot of failures air conditioner shows that the IACT saves 19.1% -
which induce significant network disturbances, so 28.2% more energy and in hotter regions has a
they need an alternative power supply. larger energy saving amount but a smaller energy
E.M. Nfah et al. [3] examined photovoltaic hybrid saving rate. The thermosyphon mode works
systems for energy supply of 33 base transceiver effectively when the mean monthly temperature is
stations of MTN Cameroon. The energy costs 5.4 °C-24.5 °C. The monthly smaller energy saving
showed that the annual operational times of the of IACT in the stations of Beijing and Guangzhou is
diesel generator were in the range 3–356 h/year with 12.2%-48.6% and 12.1%-45.2% respectively. By
renewable energy fractions in the range 0.89–1.00. the same techniques, A. S. Sundarm et al. [1]
The PV array sizes evaluated for the 22 stations developed two-phase closed thermosyphon to cool
were found to be the range 2.4–10.8 kWp
shelters. The enclosure temperature is maintained at
corresponding to daily energy demands in the range
an average of 37.67 ◦C and the maximum reaches
7.31–31.79 kWh.
Kusakana et al. [4] investigated the possibility of 38.70 ◦C. It is seen that phase change material
using hybrid Photovoltaic-Wind renewable systems temperature increases above its melting level (29
as primary sources of energy to supply mobile ◦C) during the period 11.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. This is
telephone base stations in the rural regions of the due to the storage capacity of this material is
Democratic Republic of Congo. For the case of insufficient to take all the heat loads of the day
Kabinda for example, the hybrid system (composed during the month of May.
of two 7.5 kW wind generators, 10 kW PV array, B. Dokkar et al. [6] proposed photovoltaic-hydrogen
7.5 kW inverter, and 82 batteries) has an initial power system for mobile phone station. This base
capital cost of $119,250, a Net Present Cost of transceiver station (BTS) is located in neighboring

ISBN: 978-1-61804-311-5 152

 Recent Advances in Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Engineering

Ouargla city (in the south of Algeria). The power 2.2 Stations energy consumption
system includes a photovoltaic (PV) field, water In south-eastern Algeria region, station
electrolyzer and two PEM fuel cells. The high concentration is high in populated areas and is low
number of photovoltaic modules (80 modules of in industrial areas and along main roads. All BTS
300W) and PEM fuel cells equipments lead to stations are equipped by Huwaei electronic
increase the investment cost. So, the installation materials. The stations are distinguished by their
needs introducing low load cooling system and type [6]: pylon-grid (station built on land) and if is
using cheaper energy assistance equipments. powered by fuel generator is called pylon-diesel and
This work presents a comparison of BTS energy rooftop (station built on building or construction).
consumption for three cooling methods. For the The power source can be fuel generator or grid. In
first, the station is equipped by a mono-bloc air this region a), the total stations are 959 with about
conditioning where energy consumption is the third are rooftop type, including 78% supplied
evaluated by using energy bills. In the second by grid against 22% by diesel generators.
method, cooling energy evaluation is based on Fig. 2 shows the statistical cost of energy
degree-days principle. But, for the last approach, the consumption for the three types of stations. The
cooling of pylon stations is insured by Earth-air heat energy consumption is low for pylon stations
exchanger with solar chimney and the stations are compared to rooftop stations because the latter are
supplied by photovoltaic fields. located in densely populated areas with high call
loads and much cooling needs. In addition, pylon-
diesel stations registry long time break down. In
general, consumption is high because the cooling
2 Base transceiver station system operates throughout all the year and in
2.1 Station description particular during the summer, it takes more than
Base Transceiver Station (BTS) connects between 70% of energy consumption, so, it requires the
mobile phone and the subsystem network. In this search for new systems to reduce this load.
work, we study the stations situated in South-eastern
600
Algeria, mainly those at neighboring of Ouargla Pylon-Diesel Pylon-Grid Rooftop
city. The transceiver station is composed of metallic 500
shelter and antennas support (see Fig. 1). The shelter
Consuption [USD]

contains the electronic equipments, dry storage 400

batteries, power supply cupboard and mono-bloc air 300
conditioner (Mega Hussoto HP 8V). The standalone
stations are supplied by 15 kW fuel power 200
generators. During the day, the electricity is 100
consumed in different ways: mono-bloc air-
conditioner consumes at full load 2.28 kW 0
(alternative current) or at low load (fans by direct Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. Mai. Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.
current) 10 A x 48 V, transceiver electronic
equipments (including AC-DC inversion) operate on Fig. 2: Energetic consumption by type of station
the interval 10-40 A x 48 V and batteries charging at
20 A x 48 V (including AC-DC inversion).
3 Heat transfer in the shelter
3.1 Shelter characteristics
We take into account the physical parameters inside
and outside the shelter such as the dimensions:
height, length and width respectively (H = 2.50 m, L
= 2.34 m, l= 3.1 m).
In general, the sandwich wall consists of
polyurethane insulation layer (80 mm) in the middle
and covered by two steel plates (5 mm). The wall is
Fig.1: Base transceiver station painted on both sides in clear coating (1 mm). The
roof consists of inner steel plate (5 mm),
polyurethane insulation (50 mm), exterior steel plate

ISBN: 978-1-61804-311-5 153

 Recent Advances in Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Engineering

(5 mm) and the wall is painted on both sides with without insulation, and Rins is thermal resistance of
clear coating (1 mm). The top of shelter roof is insulation layer, which is expressed by:
protected by metallic plate separated with 100 mm
Rins = x/λ (6)
as air gap thickness.
Each material is characterized by its thermal Where x and λ are the thickness and thermal
conduction coefficient (λ): steel plate (λ = 51.8 conduction coefficient of the insulation material.
W/m.K), polyurethane insulation (λ = 0.032 By fixing the base temperature Tb = 25 0C and
W/m.K) and coating (λ = 0.032 W/m.K). cooling system efficiency COP = 2.5, we obtain the
energy densities and multiplying the result by the
wall surfaces, we determine electricity needs for
3.2 Heat gain through the walls cooling the empty shelter.
For heat transfers through the walls and the roof, In addition, the ratio of released heat from electronic
the degree-days method is used to estimate the equipments is specified by Huawei manufacturer
energy consumption of air conditioning equipment. [11]. We note that specific energy consumption of
This case is limited to the shelter cooling, where the
electronic equipments and their released heat 𝐸𝐸𝐵𝐵 are
heat transfer across the outer wall per unit area is
determined according to time and charge level
[8]:
during the day. Operating details are given in
q = U (Tb – Te) (1) reference B. Dokkar et al. [6]. The corresponding
instantaneous cooling power for equipments is
Where U is global heat transfer coefficient, Tb is
expressed by the following equation:
base temperature.
𝐸𝐸
𝐵𝐵
Te is air-sol temperature which takes into account 𝐸𝐸𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 = 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 (7)
solar radiation effect on external ambient
temperature. It is expressed as follow [9]:
𝑎𝑎𝐼𝐼𝑇𝑇 𝜀𝜀∆𝑅𝑅
𝑇𝑇𝑒𝑒 = 𝑇𝑇0 + − (2) 4 Alternative power supplies
ℎ0 ℎ0
The system consists of photovoltaic panels to
Where T0 is outdoor ambient temperature, IT and a provide the station during the day and for standalone
denote total solar radiation and absorptivity of station dry batteries ensure the electricity supply at
outdoor wall surface. The term εΔR/h0 is the night and weak sunning periods. For pylon station,
correction factor, it is assumed at 4 °C for horizontal the cooling system is consists of an underground
surfaces and 0 °C for vertical surfaces [9]. The pipe situated at 1.5 m as minimal depth. A solar
coefficient h0 presents the combined heat transfer of chimney connected to the shelter roof with latitude
outdoor surface; generally, it is fixed at 17 W/m2K. angle. During year’s hot period, air with ambient
For clear colors, in summer period, the ratio 𝑎𝑎/ℎ0 is temperature goes through underground pipe. The air
equal to 0.026 m2K/W [10]. is cooled by earth absorption effect. Furthermore,
cold air goes into the shelter across its north side
The annual heat gain is expressed per surface unity
and push hot air toward shelter roof. By buoyancy
by the relation [8]:
effect, solar chimney accelerates hot air to escape
qA = 24 DD U (3) out. Temperature in the middle of the shelter does
Where DD presents degree-days values for the not exceed 29 °C. It indicates that we can design a
shelter cooling. shelter without conventional air conditioning with
condition that we use batteries with operating
The annual energy need is determined by dividing temperatures up to 29 °C. For more details, the
the annual heat gain by system cooling efficiency operating principle and installation design are
(COP). illustrated in B. Dokkar et al. [7].
EA = 24* DD*U /COP (4)
The conductance U of the wall which contains an 4.1 Peak power and number of modules
insulation layer is given by: By knowing the optimal daily incident radiation on
PV modules surfaces, the generator peak power Pcc
U = 1/(Ri + Rw + Rins + Re) (5) is expressed as follows [6]:
Where Ri and Ro are respectively air thermal 𝑮𝑮 𝐸𝐸
𝑃𝑃𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 = . 𝑚𝑚 (8)
resistance inside and outside films, Rw is total 𝑭𝑭𝒎𝒎 [𝟏𝟏−𝜸𝜸(𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻−𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻)]���
𝐇𝐇𝐜𝐜𝐜𝐜 (â) 𝜂𝜂 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜
material thermal resistance of the sandwich wall G: Standard solar radiation (1000 W/m²).

ISBN: 978-1-61804-311-5 154

 Recent Advances in Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Engineering

�
Hcp (β) : Daily solar radiation on modules surface at consumption (L) in liters and we get the energy
titled angle β [Wh/m2] consumption in kWh as follows:
Fm: Connecting factor, generally we use MPPT with Ediesel=PCI * L * η (12)
factor equal to 0.9.
𝛄𝛄 : Cells temperature coefficient (between 0,004 Where PCI is lower heating capacity (35 000 kJ/L)
and 0,005 /°C for silicon modules). and η is diesel generator efficiency (20-25%) [2].
Tmoy : Average temperature during sunshine, Tr:
Reference temperature (25 °C). 5.2 Second mode
ηond : Inverter efficiency for only alternative current As I mentioned in section 3.2, the specific energy
equipments (we take ηond= 0.95). consumption of electronic equipments and their
Em: Electrical energy needs for operating cooling needs are determined according to time and
equipments. charge level during the day. But, in order to simplify
the estimation, we take the hypothesis that pylon-
The number of modules Nm is calculated by the grid station has the half telephonic load of rooftop
following relation: station and pylon-diesel station has the half
𝑷𝑷𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄 telephonic load of pylon-grid station. While the
𝑁𝑁𝑚𝑚 = (9)
𝑷𝑷𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄 transfer of heat through the walls is calculated using
Where: 𝑃𝑃𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 is the PV module pick power (we the method of degree-days and its energy
choose Pcm=200 W). requirement for shelter cooling is determined. The
comfort temperature specified by the equipments
We calculate the number of modules for each manufacturer including the battery is 25 °C [7].
month, and for the operating along the year we take
the maximum number. 5.3 Third mode
In this mode, it is assumed that rooftop stations can
4.1 Capacity and number of Batteries operate with one split air conditioner of 18000 Btu
For standalone station, the batteries storage capacity
during the winter and with two split air conditioners
Cacc [Ah] varies according to night load EM [Wh]. It
of 18000 Btu each one during the summer. But,
is expressed by the following relation [12]: pylon stations are cooled by passive system and
𝐸𝐸𝑀𝑀 ∗𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 only the exhaust fan consumes energy (5 A x 12 V)
𝐶𝐶𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 = (10)
𝑉𝑉𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 ∗𝜂𝜂 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 ∗𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 and works continuously throughout the year. Noting
Vacc: Battery nominal potential, we choose 12 V. that with the passive system a minimum temperature
DM: Batteries discharge ratio, between 20 % et of 29 °C is reached [7], so, it requires the use of
80%. batteries that can withstand this temperature. The
ηacc: Battery efficiency, in practice is considered as specific consumption of electronic equipment is
constant (85%). taken as the previous mode.
Aut: Station autonomy days (we take it equal to 1
day). 5.4 Results and discussions
The number of battery Nbat is calculated by the Fig. 3 shows that the first mode has the highest
following equation [12]: consumption that is caused by the use of mono-bloc
𝐶𝐶𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎
air conditioner which is considered very oversized
𝑁𝑁𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 = 𝐶𝐶𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏
(11) for cooling the shelter. But, the second mode shows
that the cooling with split air conditioners is very
Cbat: Battery storage capacity, we choose 100 Ah. undersized especially during the summer. For
From the results, we get the maximum number of against, the second mode gives more accurate
batteries to ensure the operating during the year. energy needs results.
In fig. 4, we note the same previous remarks for the
first mode, and despite the use of split air
5 Modes of energy consumption conditioners with lower power, the second mode
remains relatively high. For against, the use of
5.1 First Mode passive cooling gives a good appreciation for the
For grid connected stations, we take the third mode.
consumption billed by Sonelgaz (Algerian company Fig. 5 shows that the first mode is the worst one
of electricity and gas). But, for standalone stations, that is generally caused by high diesel consumption
the calculation is based on the volume of diesel which is due to additional electricity supply for the
local of the station guardian. For the second mode,

ISBN: 978-1-61804-311-5 155

 Recent Advances in Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Engineering

we see that the curve is significantly higher during

the summer period by the fact that a high Mode 1 Mode 2 Mode 3
consumption of active cooling. So, the third mode is 60
the most favorable to rationalize energy
consumption. 50

Consumption [kWh]
40
Mode 1 Mode 2 Mode 3
30
140

20
120
Consumption [kWh]

100 10

80 0
Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. Mai. Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.
60

40
Figure 5: Consumption of pylon-diesel station

20
6 Cost of renewable energy systems
0
Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. Mai. Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. 6.1 Cost of PV systems
Noting, for all economic analysis, the costs are
Figure 3: Consumption of rooftop station
given in Algerian Dinar (1 $= 100 DZD) and the
year 2015 is considered as a reference of estimation
starting. For PV prices, the Algerian Company
Mode 1 Mode 2 Mode 3 “Condor” proposes the unit price (without taxes) of
60
200 W solar modules at 19000 DZD (190 $), with
warranty of 25 years [13]. Considering assembly
and installation costs, the price of PV module is set
Consumption [kWh]

50
to 230 $. So, the PV panel costs by station type are
40 as follows:
Cost of PV panels = unit price *modules
30
quantity * stations number
20
For rooftop stations, inverter price index is based on
10 a measure of inverters output power which reaches $
0.711 per continuous watt [14], and adding others
0 fees (customs, transport) at 40%. The inverters have
Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. Mai. Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. an average of 10 years as lifetime, so, for an
operating period of 25 years, we add progressively
Figure 4: Consumption of pylon-grid station 25/2.5 of inverters costs. The inverters will be:
Cost of inverters = Price index * Output power
*(140%)* stations number
For standalone stations, the commonly used
batteries have an average price index at $ 0.215/watt
hour [14], and adding others fees (customs,
transport) at 40%. Dry batteries have an average of
5 years as lifetime, so, for an operating period of 25
years, we add progressively 25/5 of batteries costs.
The batteries cost by type of station will be:
Cost of batteries = (Price index) * (required
energy [W.h])*(140%) * stations number

ISBN: 978-1-61804-311-5 156

 Recent Advances in Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Engineering

Additional costs (wiring, fuses, switches,

controllers, maintenance) are added progressively. Trend Voluntary
These costs are estimated at (1000 $), so, the 60
additional costs by type of station will be:
Additional costs = (1000 $) *stations number 50

40

[103 USD]
6.2 Cost of solar chimney
From the industry of structural steel buildings, we 30
have estimated the solar chimney cost. This cost 20

Cost
with maintenance fees is about 90 $. For both types
of pylons stations, the cost of solar chimney will be: 10
Cost of solar chimneys = (90 $) * stations number 0
2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040
6.3 Cost of Earth-air heat exchanger
The cost of installing Earth-air heat exchanger
including the costs of pipe, ventilator, construction Figure 6: Costs for rooftop BTS
works and maintenance are estimated at 250 $. So
the cost of the investment for the two types of
pylons stations is estimated as follows:
Cost of the Earth-air heat exchanger = (250 $) *
stations number Trend Voluntary
40
35
6.4 Investment payback
30
In the Fig. 6 and 7, for both approaches, we do not
[ 103 USD]

25
take into account the cost of grid connection
20
because it is common for both supplies. The
15
evaluation of trend model is based on the
Cost

10
cumulative of the average annual electricity
5
consumption from the grid. While voluntary model
0
takes into account electricity grid supply during the
night and the initial price of new renewable energy 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040
systems, then we gradually add maintenance fees of
these systems. We note that the investment Fig. 7: Costs for pylon-grid BTS
paybacks are at 7 years for rooftop stations and 6
years for pylon-grid.
In Fig. 8, the trend model is based on the purchase
price of diesel generator and cumulative average
annual fuel consumption and maintenance fees of
diesel generator. For voluntary model, we get the
original price of new renewable energy system (PV
system, batteries, solar chimney and the Earth-air
heat exchanger), then we gradually add maintenance
fees of this system. We note that the investment
payback is 05 years for pylon-diesel stations.

Fig. 8: Costs for pylon-diesel BTS

ISBN: 978-1-61804-311-5 157

 Recent Advances in Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Engineering

[5] L. Han, W. Shi, B. Wang, P. Zhang, X. Li,

7 Conclusion “Energy consumption model of integrated air
The installation technique of passive cooling system conditioner with thermosyphon in mobile
(solar chimney and the Earth-air heat exchanger) is phone base station”, international journal of
very simple, but unfortunately, it cannot be applied refrigeration 40, 2014, pp. 1-10.
on rooftop stations. While its application on two [6] B. Dokkar, B. Negrou, N. Settou, O. Imine, N.
types of pylon stations throughout all the year and in Chennouf, A. Benmhidi, “Optimization of PEM
particular during the hot period helps to reduce fuel cells for PV-Hydrogen power system”,
energy consumption at a rate exceeding 70%. Energy Procedia 36, 2013, pp. 798 – 807.
Particularly, the proposed techniques on pylon- [7] B. Dokkar, B. Negrou, N. Chennouf, N. settou,
diesel stations, they remove some difficult problems A. Benmhidi, “Passive cooling of telecom
such as fuel logistics and maintenance of diesel shelter using solar chimney with Earth-Air
generator. The results of energy consumption Heat Exchanger”, Proceedings of the 10th
rationalization are translated by an economic and WSEAS International Conference on Energy,
prospective study which shows that conventional Environment, Ecosystems and Sustainable
supply (grid and diesel generator) causes a large Development, January 10-12, pp. 2014,
financial charge in medium and long term. But, for Tenerife, Spain.
the supply based largely on the use of renewable [8] A. Bolatturk, “Determination of optimum
energies causes a significant drop in energy stations insulation thickness for building walls with
invoice. Thus, the financial gain on consumption respect to various fuels and climate zones in
can be deployed on the extension of the telephone Turkey”, Applied Thermal Engineering 26,
network and can contribute directly to increasing 2006, pp. 1301–1309.
company competitiveness. In addition, this analysis [9] Meral Ozel, “Determination of optimum
shows that delays in the recovery of expenses insulation thickness based on cooling
deployed for the installation of new systems is transmission load for building walls in a hot
relatively short for all stations, as for the pylon- climate”, Energy Conversion and Management
diesel station can reach only a period of 05 years. In 66, 2013, pp. 106–114.
addition, this analysis shows that delays in the [10] Ali Bolatturk, “Optimum insulation thicknesses
recovery of expenses deployed for the installation of for building walls with respect to cooling and
new systems is relatively short for all stations, as for heating degree-hours in the warmest zone of
the pylon-diesel station can reach only a period of Turkey”, Building and Environment 43, 2008,
05 years. pp. 1055–1064.
[11] http://www.huawei.com Consulted: May 13,
2014.
References: [12] T. Ma, H. Yang, L. Lu, “A feasibility study of
[1] A.S. Sundaram, R.V. Seeniraj, R. Velraj, “An a stand-alone hybrid solar–wind–battery system
experimental investigation on passive cooling for a remote island”, Applied Energy 121,
system comprising phase change material and 2014, pp. 149–158.
two-phase closed thermosyphon for telecom [13] http://portail.cder.dz Consulted: May 12,
shelters in tropical and desert regions”, Energy 2014.
and Buildings 42, 2010, pp. 1726–1735 [14] http://www.solarbuzz.com Consulted: May 15,
[2] S. N. Hossain, S. Bari, “Waste heat recovery 2014.
from the exhaust of a diesel generator using
Rankine Cycle”, Energy Conversion and
Management 75, 2013, pp. 141–151.
[3] E.M. Nfah, J.M. Ngundam, “Evaluation of
optimal power options for base transceiver
stations of mobile telephone networks
Cameroon”, Solar Energy 86, 2012, pp. 2935-
2949.
[4] K. Kusakana, H. J. Vermaak, “Hybrid
renewable power systems for mobile telephony
base stations in developing countries”,
Renewable Energy 51, 2013, pp. 419-425.

ISBN: 978-1-61804-311-5 158