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Life Cycle Assessment of Wireless BTS to reduce Carbon Footprints

A. Kumar1, 4, T. Singh2, R. Khanna3, and Dr. Y. Liu4
1 JNV Theog, Shimla, HP (India) IET Bhaddal Technical Campus, Ropar, Punjab (India) 3 Department of ECE, Desh Bhagat University, Mandi Gobindgarh, Punjab (India) 4 College of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, Jiangsu (China) 2

ABSTRACT The combination of more data-hungry devices and higher service expectations on the part of users has led to inevitably high global mobile data traffic which in turn translates in to huge impact on the environment. In order to analyze and minimize the impact on environment from whole activities (initial to final process), Life cycle assessment (LCA) should be used which will help in achieving carbon credits. Carbon Credits provide an efficient mechanism to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions by monetizing the reduction in emissions. In order to protect ourselves, our economy, and our land from the adverse effects of climate change, we must reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Life-cycle assessment (LCA) is the methodology which can be used to consider carbon footprint or we can say that considering the impact on CO2 emissions. In this paper, we have discussed the approach of LCA of wireless BTS which can help the telecom operators to reduce the carbon footprints of Wireless mobile communication networks.
Keywords: Base Transceiver Station (BTS), Carbon Credit, Life Cycle Assessment.

Expenditure and Operating Expenditure respectively. For instance, presently Generators and Battery as a backup. Thus, Life Cycle Assessment is needed in order to identify and to reduce the impact occurring on environment. To analyze, interpret and improve the environmental performance of BTS, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is increasingly recognized as one promising analytical tool [18]. In this paper, we have discussed the approach of LCA of wireless BTS which can help the telecom operators to reduce the carbon footprints of Wireless mobile communication networks.
              

INTRODUCTION Rapid and globally untrammeled information exchange has become an indispensable service in daily life due to technologically and commercially successful breakthrough of telecommunication facilities. ICT is continuously providing innovative products from simple mobile phones to micro-computer chips to the internet. According to ICT 2011, One third of the w population is online and 45% of Internet users below the age of 25 [1]. But as per facts and figures from ITU in 2013, Mobile-cellular penetration rates stand at 96% globally; 128% in developed countries and 89% in developing countries. The current facts also points out that 2.7 billion people which is almost 40% of the population are online. Fig.1 shows the worldwide aggregate mobile traffic. Power hungry devices are growing around the world, which are increasing mobile traffic that in turn affecting the environment. In fact, the contribution of ICT equipments to the global emission of CO2 due to manufacture, use and disposal is likely to increase from present 2% to 3% by 2020 [17]. To analyze the whole picture Life Cycle Assessment is required which includes CAPEX and OPEX i.e. Capital

Fig. 1. Worldwide Aggregate Mobile Traffic [2].

CARBON FOOTPRINTS AND MOBILE COMMUNICATION The term Carbon Credit refers to one metric ton of carbon dioxide which is removed from the atmosphere or is kept away not to enter atmosphere from some sources [3]. Carbon finance is the term used for Carbon Credit to help finance GHG (Green House Gas) reduction projects. This came into being during the formation of Kyoto Protocol (KP) [4-5].

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Carbon Credits are very essential in order to combat with global environment concern and to promote green communication. Under the Kyoto Protocol industrialized countries have agreed to reduce their collective emissions of greenhouse gases by 5.2% by 2008-2012 compared to the year 1990 (however, compared to the emissions levels expected by 2012 prior to the Protocol, this limitation represents a 29% cut). The target in Europe is an 8% reduction overall with a target for CO2 emissions to fall by 20% by 2020 [6]. Fig. 2 shows Total carbon footprint per average subscription.

tonne (Mt) CO2 emission. Almost 80 TWh of the energy consumption was from grid electricity, and just over 40 TWh was from the calorific value of the diesel used to power generators used in off-grid and unreliable grid locations. In fact the diesel generators used in the process, have an efficiency of 20% only. LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT OF BTS (MOBILE COMMUNICATION) There is tremendous increase in development of ICT (information and communication technology) by virtue of which it becomes the major sources of world energy consumption [12-14]. Life Cycle Assessment is very useful measurement technique in order to analyze the product/services which contribute to global warming. Various environmental aspects can be analyzed using life cycle assessment. Life Cycle Assessment refers to the life cycle activities of particular product [8]. Fig. 4 shows present and required scenario.

Fig. 2. Total carbon footprint per average subscription [10].

According to white paper published by Ericsson, Annual CO2 footprint of average mobile subscriber is around 25Kg. This value is comparable to driving a car on the motorway for one hour, or running a 5W lamp for a year [11]. Now, Mobile Operators are focusing on energy and carbon footprints. Total energy per unit traffic has declined by approximately 20% and energy per connection has declined by 5%, which indicates the progress of industries in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions [7]. Fig. 3 shows Energy Consumption by mobile networks worldwide.

Fig. 4. Present and Required Scenario [9].

In Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), whole life cycle of given product is considered which means production, use and end-life treatment is taken into account [19]. LCA can be divided into following two sections: A. Life cycle inventory (LCI) Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) studies the use of material, energy and resources. Amount of energy and material is analyzed at each stage and is taken as input. LCI includes operation of BTS hardware (cooling and power methods), manufacturing of mobile phones, site material used at BTS and different activities like vehicles, stores and offices [20]. These can be discussed in following section: a. Hardware functionality During peak hours, all time slots are busy and power transmitted is high in order to provide better coverage, quality and capacity. But, lot of power goes unused during the time when traffic is low. So, in that situation, concept of sleep scheduling can be implemented. b. Software Functionality During the time when maximum time slots are unused, BTS power reduction can be activated with the help of some algorithms.

Fig. 3. Energy Consumption by mobile networks [7].

According to GSMA, by 2010 all mobile networks around the globe consumed 120 terawatt hours (TWh) of energy in the form of electricity and diesel, resulting in energy costs of $13 billion and responsible for 70 metric

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c. Significance of Architecture Architecture should be easy to place and build with less running and maintenance cost. Also, it should have less impact on environment. B. Life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) Output of LCI is fed to LCIA. LCIA is defined as the
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CONCLUSION Carbon credit is still a mystery for a layman. In order to achieve environmental sustainability and energy optimization, mass awareness is needed. Network operators are facing energy challenges and are starting scrutinizing their responsibilities towards environmental problems by conducting life cycle assessment techniques. LCA represents a promising alternative to analyze, to interpret and essentially to adjust the environmental performance of telecommunication BTS. REFERENCES
[1] ITU, The World in 2011, ICT Facts and Figures , [Online]. Available: http://www.itu.int/ITUD/ict/facts/material/ICTFactsFigures2011.pdf. [2] Chris Pearson, The Mobile Broadband Evolution , 4G Americas, [Online] Available: http://www.4gamericas.org/UserFiles/file/Presentations/20 13/Chris%20Pearson%20Mobile%20Broadband%20Evolu tion%20Feb%208%202013%20FINAL.pdf. [3] Carbon Credits in India February, 2007, [Online] Available: www.nswai.com [4] Carbon Credit And Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) http://www.carbonoffsetsdaily.com/newschannels/indiacarbonmarketnews/carbon-credit-and-cleandevelopment-mechanism-cdm-10574.htm [5] Nirmal Bang, Carbon credits are an important way of mitigating the growth of greenhouse gases , November 2009, [On-line] Available. http://www.stockmarketsreview.com/extras/carbon_credits _20091117_1654/ [6] Schneider Electric, Unlocking Energy Efficiency , White Paper, [Online]. Available: http://www.schneiderelectric.com/sites/corporate/en/support/whitepapers/unlocking-energy-efficiency.page [7] GSMA, Mobile's Green Manifesto , 2012, [On-line]. Available: http://www.gsma.com/publicpolicy/wpcontent/uploads/2012/06/Green-Manifesto-2012.pdf [8] Ericsson, Design for Environment , [On-line]. Available: http://www.ericsson.com/res/thecompany/docs/corporateresponsibility/2009/dfe_information.pdf [9] Ericsson, Sustainability creating business opportunities , [On-line]. Available: http://archive.ericsson.net/service/internet/picov/get?DocN o=10/28701-FGB101108&Lang=EN&HighestFree=Y [10] Jens Malmodin, Dag Lunden, Life cycle assessment of ICT networks and primary subscription services in Sweden , September 2011, [On-line]. Available: http://www.dtu.dk/upload/norlca/malmodin%20%26%20lu nden.pdf Sustainable energy use in mobile [11] Ericsson, communications , White Paper, August 2007, [On.line]. Available: http://www.connectedurbandevelopment.org/downloads/do wnload/sustainable-energy-use-in-mobilecommunications-aug-2007 [12] Tanvir Singh, Amit Kumar, Dr. Yunfei Liu, A Detailed Study on Fuel Cell Market: A Step Towards Energy Sustainability in ICT , International Journal of Research in Mechanical Engineering and Technology, IJRMET Vol. 3, Issue 1, November - April 2013. [13] White Paper, , Motorola, [Online]
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14044:2006). Now, by implementing various techniques mentioned in previous section, LCI can be effective in reducing power consumption as elimination of long feeder cables and active cooling. Another important aspect is to reduce CO2 emission which can be easily achieved by above mentioned practices. Apart from these approaches, following practices can be useful in achieving energy optimization in mobile communication: x Network should consist of only few sites while maintaining desired coverage, capacity and quality. x Energy efficiency should be optimized whether we talk about whole site or particular product x Use of renewable energy sources should be promoted which includes solar, wind, fuel cell, etc. Transition is required toward renewable energy to achieve the energy efficiency and environmental sustainability [15]. To safeguard the interests of future generations, Sustainable Development is must [16]. In short, fig. 5 truly explain the factors contributing sustainable energy.

Fig. 5. Factors contributing Sustainable Energy.

LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT OF BTS: PROS AND CONS LCA can be used as a tool to analyze the various effects of any product or service on environment. As it is a standardized method, it provides the decision making process by helping government to define a policy for public. LCA is not without any cons. LCA is geographically dependent, results changes with change in area and analysis of whole parameters is needed to prepare a data. Moreover, an interest of stakeholders also plays an important role as they have different views long the supply chain at a horizontal and vertical level.

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[14]

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Available: http://www.motorola.com/web/Business/Solutions/Industr y%20Solutions/Service%20Providers/Wireless%20Operat ors/GSM/Network%20Overview/_Documents/Static%20fi les/6872_MotDoc.pdf Amit Kumar, Dr. Yunfei Liu, Dr. Manu Sood, Tanvir Singh, Sunder Gopal Singh, Mobile Communication Networks through Alternative , International Journal of Computer Science and Technology (IJCST), Vol. 1, Issue 2, December 2010. Kumar, A.; Singh, T.; Khurana, D., "Energy optimization in wireless communication network through renewable energy sources (RES) , Power Electronics (IICPE), 2012 IEEE 5th India International Conference, vol., no., pp.1,5, 6-8 Dec. 2012 Amritpal Singh, Tanvir Singh, Amit Kumar, Engineering Innovations for Environment and Energy Sustainability , IJREAS (International Journal of Research in Engineering & Applied Sciences), Vol. 2 Issue 2, February 2011 Amit Kumar, Tanvir Singh, Satnam Singh, Dr. Sawtantar Singh, Sustainable Energy Efficiency in ICT: Role of PV Cells , International Journal of Electronics & Communication Technology, IJECT Vol. 3, Issue 3, July Sept 2012. Life Cycle Assessment in the Telecommunication Industry: A Review [On-line]. Available: http://www.empa.ch/plugin/template/empa/*/58113/---/l=2 Lorenz M Hilty, CO2 Reduction with ICT: Prospects and Barriers , [On-line]. Available: http://www.researchgate.net/publication/228357497_CO2_ Reduction_with_ICT_Prospects_and_Barriers/file/9fcfd50 b08daa862b2.pdf Ericsson, Peter Hjorth, Nina Lovehagen, Jens Malmodin, Kent Westergren, Reducing CO2 emissions from mobile communications BTS Power Savings and Tower Tube, 2008.
x v m f j k i j y k e k f z k i { k h g e g m m i g h r z } g m o v h t g m b b a b a b y ~ f  t y t u s d a c d i s x h d a b