Abstract
Energy consumption and energy efficiency of telecommunication networks are important for network
operators regarding both, cost and sustainability aspects. Among several options, load-adaptive network
operation—where the provided network capacity is coupled dynamically to the temporally fluctuating traffic
characteristics—is a prominent and promising opportunity to improve network energy efficiency. General
principles of load-adaptive network operation regimes are presented for a universal broadband operator network and
their effects to network energy efficiency are explored. Based on a structure model of a telecommunication network,
techniques for adjusting the capacity load-adaptively in different network sections are discussed with respect to the
energy-saving potential, the current status and the challenges for application in networks ahead. Operator network
sections as well as customer networks are covered; double-digit percentages of energy savings per network section are
obtained in load-adaptive operation regimes as compared to the conventional network operation. When applying all those
techniques in a holistic view to current realistic large operator networks, the double-digit per-section improvements
transform into a significantly lower overall energy saving potential: This is caused by large parts of legacy network
equipment forming a base electrical load not amenable to load-adaptive operation. When coupling the power consumption
of networks to the temporally and spatially varying traffic demands in load-adaptive regimes their currently very
predictable power draw behavior changes and may have significant effects in the interplay with power utilities in the
upcoming Smart Energy transformation.
© 2013 IEEE
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