Energy efficiency improvements in telecommunication networks — Optimizing the power supply chain

Load-adaptive network operation is a promising opportunity for improving the energy efficiency of telecommunication networks. Besides the load-adaptivity of the telecommunication network elements also the supporting central office equipment like uninterruptable power supplies and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems is important for overall network-site energy efficiency. The power supply chain in central offices is investigated and the results show that a controlled modular structure of energy converting elements in central offices helps to improve the overall network-site energy efficiency in case of load-adaptive operation regimes of telecommunication networks.