Innovative Energy Solutions for telecommunication stations

Context

NorthwesTel is a local and long distance carrier in Northern Canada. The company provides phone, Internet and TV services to approximately 116,000 customers. The majority of customers are in remote locations with extremely low density population and extreme weather conditions. Of the 156 microwave stations enabling telecommunications, 87 are not connected to the electrical grid and use diesel generators to supply the required electricity. In order to reduce costs and GHGs, 9 sites have already been converted to hybrid systems using solar photovoltaic panels and batteries combined with diesel generators. The systems are performing as expected and provide annual savings of approximately $200,000 while greatly reducing carbon emissions.

NorthwesTel is looking to further deploy hybrid solutions and would consider innovative and reliable systems to power its telecommunication infrastructure.

Bell Media is a subsidiary of BCE. It is Canada’s leading content creation company with assets in television, radio, advertising and digital media. In the context of this challenge, the focus is on Bell Media’s radio properties. Bell Media operates 109 radio stations. The radio stations are supported by transmission tower sites which are critical in the distribution of content created at the studio sites. Transmission sites and their infrastructure use a great deal of power. Many of the AM frequency transmission sites are controlling power use and costs through the use of a technology called modulation dependent carrier level (MDCL). In many cases the sites also employ free cooling. AM transmitter sites are also situated on a large footprint of land which for the most part is unused since space required by the transmission towers and equipment is minimal.

Description of the challenge

NorthwesTel
Off grid stations are equipped with an air-cooled diesel generator running 24h/7. The systems use batteries recharged by the generators to supply energy to the building and the telecommunication equipment. As the sites are remote and accessible by helicopter and isolated roads, fuel delivery represents a major operating expense. The use of diesel to power the generators is also an environmental liability. NorthwesTel would like to convert the systems to reduce the use of diesel, while maintaining reliability of the communication infrastructure. The hybrid system would combine with the existing diesel generator and enable diesel fuel displacement up to 60% (annually). 

The use of hybrid PV systems is considered but NorthwesTel is also open to other alternatives such as hybrid wind/diesel and energy storage solutions.

Please contact jcvoyer@ecotechquebec.com to have more information about the 10 locations selected for the second phase of deployment.

Bell Media

Bell Media is seeking a solution at the AM transmitter sites that provide the following advantages:
1. Energy use and cost reduction
2. Use of the vacant land for revenue generating purposes that also brings environmental sustainability value.

Bell Media would like to reduce or offset the energy required to operate the transmitter sites. These sites are currently powered by the electrical grid. A diesel powered generator acts as an emergency power solution during power outages. Bell Media is interested in the use of renewable energy options such as solar and doesn’t insist to own and operate these installations. A preference would be to develop a partnership with an organization whereby, Bell Media would allow the use of its ample land to host the solution. Bell Media would also consider the use of the land for revenue generating environmental sustainability endeavour. 

Please contact jcvoyer@ecotechquebec.com to have more information about the 2 locations selected.

Constraint(s)

NorthwesTel
The following criteria are to be considered while designing the solution:

● System must be combined with the existing air cooled diesel generator (1200 RPMs)
● Typical constant site loads are 2 – 5 kW (excluding peak loads)
● Energy loads are 24h/7 and both in AC (building) and DC (telco. equipment)
● Batteries should be considered to improve reliability

Furthermore, the remote Arctic environment has logistics challenges and require specific design to enable system functionality and reliability in harsh conditions.

Bell Media

The following criteria are to be considered while designing the solution:

●Bell Media does not wish to own and operate a proposed renewable energy solution but is able to provide the real estate required to host it. 
● Proposed solutions must not interfere with the radio signal.

Estimated duration of the project:12 months