Scalable Integration of Hybrid Renewable Energy System for Cellular Telecommunication Networks

Integrating hybrid renewable energy systems (HRESs) into base transceiver stations (BTSs) can accelerate the clean energy transition while improving the efficiency of the growing telecommunications industry. However, current research is largely limited to small-scale BTS site samples and neglects spatial constraints and macro-level feasibility. The lack of a comprehensive and scalable HRES integration framework further creates uncertainty for telecommunications operators and hinders effective implementation. This study addresses this gap by developing a novel modeling framework incorporating geographic and meteorological data from a synthetic BTS site stock model to generate HRES archetypes that account for site characteristics, energy demand, renewable energy potential, and spatial constraints. This framework was validated using a case study in Bali Province, Indonesia. The total annual electricity demand was estimated at 136.5 GWh/year (15.6 MW) for 4,378 BTS sites, corresponding to 85.4 kWh/day and 3.6 kW per BTS site. A techno-economic analysis identified 13 HRES archetypes that outperformed current BTS site electrification standards, based on a synthetic spatial distribution of the BTS site stock and its solar, wind, and hydro renewable energy potential. However, only six HRES types with solar energy potential demonstrated technical and economic viability, with payback periods ranging from 4 to 9 years. Under greenfield integration with a site occupancy of 70%, the solar HRES could generate 79 GWh/year, satisfying 57% of the total annual demand. Overall, the scalable analysis, from a single site to the national level, positions the framework as an adaptable and comprehensive planning reference for the sustainable implementation of HRESs.