Energy for Off-grid Radio Stations

Overview

► Energy Needs for Information & Communication

Off-grid Radio Stations

Case Study - UK

Backup power for an off-grid radio transmission and BTS site in Wales

• IdaTech ElectraGen™ 5 System and ElectraGen™ XTR module for an extended run solution
• 5 kW integrated fuel cell system was installed to work in combination with a 2.5 kW solar panel array and a 2.5 kW wind turbine for a truly hybrid solution. A 1000 AH battery bank stores the energy generated by the fuel cell, solar array and turbine, and powers telecommunications equipment located on the site. The outdoor installation incorporates the three renewable energy systems and an integrated stainless steel methanol storage tank.
• was selected to reliably recharge the battery string when sun or wind power is not available, to ensure continuous power for the site power requirements through an environmentally-friendly energy combination

Case Study - USA

New Solar Generator Powers Worlds First Totally Off-The-Grid Radio Station

• unique system allows to harvest solar energy from four high-efficiency solar panels located on the roof
• panels direct power to the solar generator, which is located in the studio below. The discreet design of the generator ensures that it blends seamlessly with the radio stations dcor. Using the Power Hub Plus from Solutions From Science, it is possible to power mixing boards, satellite dishes, transmitters, microphones

► New Solar Generator Powers World's First Totally Off-The-Grid Radio Station

Outlaw Radio: Off the grid Broadcasting

• Off grid solar & wind electric systems are commonly used when there is a need for power and current utility lines are located an inaccessible distance away. This situation can arise for a home or broadcast facility being built in a remote or semi-remote location
• example: 12 V battery, 400 W inverter

► Homepage outlaw radio

Case Study - Africa

Rural Africa to obtain sustainable and affordable connectivity

• Orange Guinea Conakry and Ericsson: looking to deploying over a hundred base stations that will all be powered by harnessing solar radiation -> focus on telecommunication
• energy efficient Ericsson base stations will feature a hybrid diesel-battery solution and solar panels. Orange hopes that this will help them increase cell phone coverage in both rural and urban areas, and aims to accomplish this while remaining on track to reduce CO2 emissions by 20 percent by the year 2020.
• Ericsson BTS 2111 radio base station is a main-remote solution without any active moving parts such as cooling fans. It reduces energy consumption up to 50 percent, allowing the site to be fully powered by solar energy, supported by a battery bank for 24/7 operation

► Rural Africa to obtain sustainable and affordable connectivity (Coolest Gadgets.com)

Partially Grid Connected Radio Stations

Case Study - USA

KTAO – The Solar Powered Radio Station

• KTAO, the largest solar electricity based radio station in the USA, located north of Taos in New Mexico
• 50,000 watt transmitter powered by an array of 135 solar panels
• use of a solar powered radio transmitter allowed the radio station to increase its reach from a 20 mile radius to a 40 – 50 mile radius

► Green Passive Solar Magazine: KTAO – The Solar Powered Radio Station

► Homepage KTAOS Solar Radio - Taos

Download - Manual - Energy for Radios

“Energy for radio” is a guide to energy management for community radio stations. It supports radio managers and operators as they tackle the energy issue at their station, helping to understand the various sources and technologies of energy, especially gensets, wind and hydro turbines, solar and hybrid systems. The guide also views many other aspects requiring attention before “informed decisions” can be taken, including assessment of the energy needs, storage, protection and regulation.

► The worksheets for assessing the energy needs of the stations as well as cost-effectiveness of different energy sources are available for download: Catholic Media Council (CAMECO), 2010

Further Information

• Energy for Radio - A Guide for Practitioners
• Energy Needs for Information & Communication
• Productive Use Portal on energypedia