Turning Base Transceiver Stations into Scalable and Controllable DC Microgrids Based on a Smart Sensing Strategy

Area of Science:

• Electrical Engineering
• Renewable Energy Systems
• Smart Grids

Background:

• Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) represent a significant energy load.
• Integrating renewable energy sources and storage into BTS infrastructure is crucial for efficiency.
• Existing BTSs offer potential for transformation into distributed energy resources.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a practical method for converting BTSs into controllable DC microgrids.
• To design an energy management system (EMS) for maximizing economic benefits through optimized energy usage.
• To validate the system's performance under real-world conditions and varying weather patterns.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of an EMS for managing Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and photovoltaic (PV) generation.
• Utilization of a smart sensing strategy for collecting real-time energy, environmental, and operational data.
• Development of a flexible and low-cost hardware/software architecture for system integration.

Main Results:

• Achieved annual savings of 16.8 euros/kW of installed battery power in the Spanish electricity market.
• Demonstrated the system's applicability to both new and existing BTS installations.
• Validated the integrated system through pilot plant tests under diverse weather conditions.

Conclusions:

• The proposed approach offers a viable strategy for transforming BTSs into economically beneficial DC microgrids.
• The EMS effectively manages BESS, PV generation, and load shedding for cost optimization.
• The flexible and scalable architecture supports integration with existing grid infrastructure and smart metering.