Green Move
Since almost all passive infrastructures of operators are outsourced, the responsibility lies on infrastructure solution providers to reduce energy consumption by the infrastructure they provide to operators. Therefore, Green solutions have become a business necessity and have entered the list of corporate social responsibility. Various infrastructure companies have also joined the Green bandwagon.

Talking about the Green initiatives adopted by GTL Infrastructure, Prakash Ranjalkar, COO, GTL says, “We are investing our resources in innovative practices and solutions to minimize the consumption of energy. Various technical solutions that are being tested for energy management on the demand side include: identification of energy efficient air conditioning system with high EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio); free cooling/emergency free cooling concept of air conditioning systems to utilize cool ambient temperatures for reducing compressor running; wide input voltage range SMPS better efficiency even at lower input voltages; fuel optimizer method of operating DG, interleaved with battery back up; and usage of energy star rated products. GTL Infrastructure has also created a dedicated National Network Operations for online monitoring of site parameters, which will bring in operational efficiencies.”

Tulip Telecom as a part of its internal Go Green initiatives, Tulip is also planning to have solar installations in a large percentage of its PoPs.

Explaining its Green initiatives, Probal Ghosal, CEO, Quippo Telecom says, “Quippo is an environment-friendly company. On the telecom infrastructure part, we have taken a number of initiatives. All our diesel generators comply with central pollution control board norms. We are using high capacity battery back up in order to reduce diesel generators running and hence control/limit the emissions.”

Quippo has also installed solar power system at two sites in Karnataka that are under trial with an aim at reduce the diesel generators running at the sites. Also, Tulip has installed fuel catalyst in 1,000 diesel generators that result in reduction of pollutants.

“If Green increases the benefits then it is easily accepted, but if it is going to cost more on the opex then people will hesitate” Manoj Upadhyay, managing director, Acme Tele Power	“If operators don't cut opex which is mainly due to energy cost, at BTS sites then it is not possible to sustain long term profit” Rakesh Malhotra, managing director, Luminous Teleinfra

Government Initiatives
The central government and state governments of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Gujarat have defined policies for wind generation-the most favored Green energy at present-on a commercial basis. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has recently announced a policy for 50MW grid connected power plants. The Electricity Regulatory Commissions of various states have renewable purchase obligations by which a particular utility should have a stipulated generation from Green sources. A high level committee has also been set up by the Government of India for preparing the National Renewable Energy Law.

However, regulatory and operating issues like open access, distribution loss reduction, and industry-specific tariff restructuring still need to be sorted out.

“At a time when the country is reeling with power shortages, policies should be defined to facilitate us to set up Green generating plants for self use thereby reducing our dependency on grid power. This would go a long way to reduce the energy shortage and improve quality and cost of services. The tariff being paid is at commercial rates. In some states where our connected load is more than 20 KW we need to go for time-of-day tariff,” says Vashistha.

Challenges
According to industry sources, it is good to talk about Green, but there is a difference in the approach of operators. “There are some people who paint there logos and boards Green but that doesn't mean that you are Green. The Green theme comes out with the internal philosophy of the company in terms of the business it does, its employees' behavior and behavior of the organization overall. That finally boils down to the technology,” says Dalip Sharma, managing director, Delta India.

The first major challenge of adapting Green solutions is its cost. Therefore, operators are in a tangle to put money on Green sites or in expanding infrastructure that gives better RoI initially.

“If Green increases the benefits then it is easily accepted but if it is going to cost more on the opex then people will hesitate. Therefore, it is the duty of vendors to innovate on technologies and provide solutions to operators at reduced prices than the existing opex. One needs to focus on three main concepts: first is to reduce power consumption; second is to reduce diesel generators running time; and last is complete replacement of diesel generators. We are working on all these three concepts,” says Manoj Upadhyay, managing director, Acme Tele Power.

The challenges in adaption of green solution is its cost at first. Therefore operators find them in tangle whether to put money on green site or in expanding infrastructure that gives better return on investment initially.

“When the trend of network expansion will turn little flat then for opex will be critical issue for operators. If they don't cut opex which is majority due to energy cost at BTS site then it is not possible to sustain long term profit. This phase will come in Indian telecom market in next couple of years when operators will have to focus on cutting opex by adapting green solutions,” says Rakesh Malhotra, managing director, Luminous Teleinfra.

“Renewable energy solutions can bring stability to expenses in remote areas and as returns on initial investments in solar or wind comes down, the business case become more attractive. We see initial investments paying off within 18 months in some cases. After the site is up and running, the operational costs are practically zero,” says Kuehner.

The reduction in the cost of crude oil prices globally is also posing a challenge in adoption of Green power solutions. Though in the case of extreme rural and remote hilly areas where transportation of diesel becomes really tough and expensive, operators prefer to install renewable sources of energy available in a hybrid solution format. It is time for operators to go for green solutions.

Prasoon Srivastava & Arpita Prem
prasoons@cybermedia.co.in