Urgent Need for More Reliable PLTE Electric Supply

Ironically, as Private LTE (PLTE) Networks become essential components of evolving energy grids, the need for independent and reliable power for those networks becomes critical.

What would happen to PLTE networks during widespread, long lasting electric grid outages? How long would the PLTE network continue to function without an independent power source? What effect would that have on the infrastructure of the natural gas and electric power delivery systems?

According to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, America’s power grid is becoming more unreliable. “The U.S. power system is faltering just as millions of Americans are becoming more dependent on it—not just to light their homes, but increasingly to work remotely, charge their phones and cars, and cook their food—as more modern conveniences become electrified.”

The cost of utility-provided power is also rapidly increasing. For example, Massachusetts utilities just announced a 64% jump in their rates. Expect that trend to continue. 

Today, PLTE networks rely on grid-supplied power. This article will explore how the network can continue to function when that power is unavailable. 

European Networks May Go Dark This Winter. The likely prospects of just such a scenario have recently been reported in Europe. A recent article from Reuters disclosed this very disturbing news. Vast swaths of cellular communications nodes can go dark within 30 minutes of power outages. In Germany, Deutsche Telecom has an estimated 33,000 cell towers. France has an estimated 62,000 towers.

This is because they only have battery backup systems designed to provide power for short periods of electric utility power loss. Power companies there are already planning for rolling blackouts of 2 hours or more when necessary. Despite desperate pleas to their respective governments, cellular operators cannot be assured of continued electric supply. They are on their own.

Please note that our own power distribution networks are very similar to those across the pond.

Early Warning. The PLTE community has an opportunity to avoid the imminent dangers being faced by our friends in Europe. Use of the PLTE network by utility companies is in its early stages, allowing improvements to avoid potential power disruptions. Such improvements will help assure uptime and provide an even more compelling reason for utilities to use PLTE networks to manage their assets.

PLTE power requirements. The combination of rising power consumption and increasing electricity costs have raised concerns among PLTE operators. 

Power needs of newer generation of technology, such as 5G, require significantly more power than previously. Some estimates see 3 to 4 times as much power required, depending on the base station configuration. A typical 5G base station may need at least 15,000 watts of power to operate. Efforts to incorporate edge devices into the network will further increase the power requirements. 

Power for your PLTE network must be available 24x7, regardless of weather conditions or grid power disruptions. Utility companies using PLTE must be able to reliably communicate with and control all the infrastructure of their grid delivery systems.

Backup power. Like the situation in Europe, most PLTE network nodes now use grid-supplied power for normal operations. Some have backup power systems such as battery storage, solar, wind and diesel generators. Most PLTE sites have backup power for only a few hours or days. Then it’s lights out.

New Requirements. Needed is a simple, highly reliable power supply that is independent of utility-supplied power. A power supply that is dedicated to running your PLTE network and that you control.

Most smaller power generation systems today are intended for intermittent, emergency use. What is needed are generators that are designed for long endurance and minimum maintenance. Generators that are affordable, take up little space, and can be secured on site. 

You can use such equipment to reduce your risk from power grid disruptions, as well as lower your electricity costs. Here’s how.

PLTE solution. I suggest a new approach to using utility-supplied power. Rely primarily on power that you generate. Perfectly legal; just don’t sell it to others. Remain connected to the grid but use it differently. If you have issues with your own generation assets, utility power is automatically used until you resume power generation. A paradigm shift. 

Generate your own power continuously, to offset utility power costs and improve resilience. Ever-increasing electric utility bills are drastically reduced. In the event of grid-down conditions, you can continue operations. 

Ideally, you should use multiple generators. This allows maintenance and repair functions to proceed, without impacting operations. But the cost of traditional generators can be very high. What is needed is an affordable generator that is perfectly sized to the relatively small requirements of a typical PLTE site.

Such an engine/generator exists today. It has been deployed for years, in thousands of locations and is proven technology. It was designed from the outset for long endurance (10+ years), with minimal maintenance requirements. It operates on natural gas, propane or renewable biogas and can switch between them.

However, this article is not a product review, so contact me if you are interested in additional details at [email protected] . 

More Up Time, Less Cost. Installing your own power generation equipment can greatly improve the resilience of your vital PLTE networks and lower your operational costs. You can improve your asset utilization by redirecting capital from seldom used backup generation equipment to active power generation. The return on investment is very compelling.

Incorporating such independent power generation will increase the reliability of your network. Utilities will also appreciate a robust PLTE communications system that helps them improve the reliability of their own product distribution systems. Europe may soon demonstrate the importance of having an independent power system to operate cellular communications systems.

With onsite power generation we can keep our PLTE networks from going dark.