NGNM Part 1: White papers from the green future networks (GFN) project on energy metering

Scope

The GFN project within NGMN (see NGMN – We make better connections) had Energy Metering sub-project producing the following relevant whitepapers:

Summary

The first Metering whitepaper (published in January 2022) focuses on the metering for site locations that might be connected to the power grid, have renewable power source and/or have battery installation. Metering encompasses electrical measurements (voltage, current, energy, power), environmental measurements (temperature, humidity, wind, solar radiation), and other (e.g. fuel level, battery capacity/load/shelter temperature). Focus is also on site container architecture and measurements, including site sharing concepts (passive or active) among different MNOs and interaction between the MNO, tower company and electricity grid distribution company (see also figures below). 

Intelligent Energy Management
Site Sharing: Interaction of Site Facilities and BS-equipment on Various Architectural Levels

The second Metering whitepaper, ‘Green Future Networks: Metering in Virtualised RAN Infrastructure’ (published in March 2024), goes in more depth about the virtualised environment for the RAN and Core part of the mobile network, also relating to the NFV-MAN framework. Industry solutions/tools are listed for virtualised power consumption metering and also recommendations for further standardisation is given.

Overview based on modified mobile network management architecture in case the RU is realised as a PNF
Closed loop optimisation for vRAN network components with commonly known cloud operating Models.

Relevance for EXIGENCE

The KPIs definitions and methods as well as some architectural recommendations in these two white papers are relevant for requirements and scenarios, architecture, energy metrics, energy measurements, data collection, resource interconnectivity, orchestration and energy optimisation.

Index