Motorola completes power trial

Motorola is offering renewable energy solutions commercially that have the potential to power-up entire isolated communities, says the company.

This follows the successful completion of a trial in Namibia. The wireless and broadband communications provider says it is confident it can now offer a cost-effective alternative to traditional power provision, not only to cellular operators` base stations.

"In Namibia, we were generating power for the [cellular operators`] site, including for fences and maintenance purposes - this equates to a few kilowatts of power," says Richard Martin, global marketing manager for GSM solutions at Motorola`s home and networks mobility division.

The Motorola trial used wind turbines and solar panels to general power for that country`s Mobile Telecommunications (MTC) to operate base stations in extremely isolated areas.

Since May, a solar array and wind turbine have jointly been generating the electrical power needed to drive a mid-sized cell and support a microwave backhaul installation.

Negotiations with MTC, as to whether to make the Motorola option a permanent solution, are ongoing. However, Martin says the network operator has already attached its equipment to the Motorola power source in the trial areas.

While the solution worked well in Namibia, different countries have different weather patterns and, therefore, need the technological solution to be adapted, he notes.

However, Martin believes SA could benefit from the technology.

"The solution can be scaled up if small communities need access to power. It is a commercial solution, however, so someone would have to pay for it.

"As the cost of traditional power goes up and the cost of alternative sources go down, people will start to catch on," says Martin.

However, he points out: "This solution is not for everyone. For the moment, it is for the exceptionally difficult sites."

He says Motorola`s agenda for the alternative energy-creating solution is not a "green one" but a purely economic one. "Governments or others would have to step in for it to become a social issue." At this stage, Motorola is not targeting the public sector specifically in marketing this product.

Martin says about 15 different network operators across Africa and Europe have shown interest in the company`s solution. He would not divulge specific cost savings, as he notes that it is difficult to generalise.

"You have to look at the cost of traditional ways of providing power - either by providing new power lines or powering [base] stations with diesel. It is only in this context that it becomes clear that renewable energy sources make more financial sense."

According to Martin, the Motorola solution is being used in remote areas in Europe, not with a social awareness agenda, but a commercial one. "There is nothing like money to stimulate behaviour."

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