Renewable energy is poised to deliver the double benefit of reducing carbon dioxide emissions and allowing mobile phone networks to be installed in places where there is no electricity grid to power them.

Mobile operator Vodafone, and equipment supplier Alcatel-Lucent have set up what they claim is the first base station to be powered by a mix of solar and wind energy. Vodafone says the trial site, in Qatar, is a significant milestone in the validating the use of alternative energy in powering its networks. It will enable the expansion of mobile communication to areas not served by electrical grids, whilst at the same time reducing operating expenses and environmental impact.

“As the first hybrid [base station] in Qatar to make use of both wind and solar energy, this achievement increases the availability and quality of mobile services to the end customer, while reducing the impact on the environment,” said Jenny Howe, chief technical officer of Vodafone Qatar.

Alcatel-Lucent announced an alternative energy programme in Feb 2009 under which it aims to equip more than 100,000 mobile base stations to run on renewable energy between 2010 and 2012.

The technology in the Qatar base station takes advantage of the fluctuating yet complementary local weather conditions, with the wind turbine mounted at the top of the mast to catch the higher winds. An energy controller manages the two streams of electricity, simultaneously drawing power from both the photovoltaic panels and the wind turbine. Based on measurements of solar intensity and wind speed, the controller makes second-by-second adjustments to smooth out fluctuations in energy generation.

The system also monitors battery charging cycles and diesel generator maintenance runs to maximise the lifespan of the equipment.