Analysis of energy harvesting techniques for mobile networks

Abstract

The exponential demand of data traffic in the wireless and mobile networks is resulting in rapid growth of wireless devices, which is also heading towards increasing energy consumption and capacity. Energy harvesting is one of the major challenges for the operators of cellular network in order to meet the increasing demand and to minimize the operating expenditure (OPEX). Otherwise, this excess demand will mitigate the footmarks of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) on the environment by aggravating greenhouse gas emission. Thus, eco-friendly cellular network solution is needed where harvested energy will be beneficial in terms of profit and reduced energy consumption. Recently, harvesting energy has been introduced as an optimistic solution to extend network lifetime. Researchers proposing different types of energy harvesting methods which will not only help cellular network to empower themselves, but also trade the excess harvested energy to electricity grids. Base stations of cellular network will harvest energy and trade the excess harvested energy to electricity grids. This article discusses different eco-friendly cellular network models proposed by different researchers over time where harvested energy could be beneficial not only in terms of profit but also to meet self energy demand. Thus power and communication sectors will blend together to meet the future power demands.