Minimizing Environmental Impact of Power Generation at Global Systems for Mobile Communication (GSM) Base Station Sites

Abstract

The introduction of Global Systems for Mobile Communication (GSM) services to our nation has brought about the proliferation of Base transmission stations (BTS).These BTS depends on the services of diesel generators for twenty (24) operations. Grid system would have been the best alternative to the use of fossil fuel in power generation because of the environmental hazards associated with the by-product of exhaust gases. The grid power is not adequate and unavailable in most areas. Hybridization of renewable energy sources is be considered a better option and there is the need to obtain an optimal hybrid option. This paper through modelling and simulation studied four (4) Base transmission stations in our nation located at different geographical zones; and compares the environmental effects of different renewable energy systems when complemented with diesel generators. The study was achieved by using Hybrid Optimization for Energy Renewal (HOMER) software. From the simulation results, the PV/wind/hydro-diesel system has the highest Renewable Energy Penetration by supplying 71% of the energy demand in Nkanu-West (Enugu State), 70% of the energy in Ikwerre (Rivers State), 71% of the energy demand in Nembe (Bayelsa State), 72% of the energy demand in Mopa-Muro (Kogi State). The lower emission rate of hazard by-products (CO2, PM and NOx) may be attributed to the reduction in fuel consumption.