T-Mobile tests alternative energy sources for its mobile network

• Solar panels and a wind turbine will ensure 100% eco-friendly operation of the mobile network
• Liquid hydrogen and methanol instead of a diesel-powered generator

Prague, 31 October 2011 – T-Mobile has launched a pilot project to test the use of alternative energy sources for the operation of base transceiver stations. On the roof of its headquarters building in Prague's Roztyly district, the operator has installed a wind and solar station generating power for the mobile network near and inside the building. The mobile signal is thus propagated without any harm to the environment. As a backup in case of failure, the operator uses a generating unit powered by liquid hydrogen and methanol instead of a customary diesel-powered generator, this solution is being used for the first time ever in the Czech Republic. 

“The whole project should bring experience with the hybrid power system in real-world operation of the telecommunications network. We have basically created a combination of electricity sources which is the only one of its kind in the world,” says Petr Vaněk, Vice President Network Development at T-Mobile, adding: “We now have a fully eco-friendly “island” system with an independent backup.” 

The key objective of the project is to ensure power supplies from renewable sources for base transceiver stations providing signal coverage for the immediate vicinity of the building. 

Thank the wind and the sun
A total of 72 photovoltaic solar panels with output of 220 Wp, a Ropatec wind turbine with output of 3 kW and two hydrogen cells serving as a backup power source have been installed on the roof and on the land adjacent to T-Mobile's building in Prague's Roztyly district. 

The system is designed in such a way that electricity for basic daily consumption is generated purely from environmentally friendly sources – solar panels during the day and a noiseless wind turbine at night. In the event that electricity generated from renewable sources is not sufficient, power may be taken from the standard distribution network. 

In the event of a complete blackout, a two-level backup system is in place. The first level consists in a hydrogen cell using liquid hydrogen from pressure vessels; the second level is a hydrogen cell with a methanol generator. 

The whole system is controlled by a one-of-a-kind hybrid power source unit (HPSU), which controls not only the operation of the alternative energy sources and continually monitors their status, but also measures the volume of energy generated and consumed. 

For more information, please visit www.prosvetkolemnas.cz.

T-Mobile Czech Republic, a member of the international telecommunications group Deutsche Telekom, has almost 6.2 million customers, the number-one operator in the Czech market. T-Mobile is an integrated operator: in addition to telecommunications services, it offers comprehensive ICT solutions not only for companies, but also for other organizations and individuals. It provides outstanding services in the high-speed network, which was proved repeatedly by benchmark testing performed by umlaut (former P3) with Best-in-Test seal.

T-Mobile Czech Republic places emphasis on taking a responsible approach to the environment and society. It adheres to fair business practices, helps beneficial applications and services to see the light of day, supports non-profit organizations, small businesses and individuals, and lends a helping hand whenever crisis situations arise. The company’s employees serve as volunteers in many places across the entire Czech Republic.

More information about the company is available at www.t-mobile.cz, www.t-press.cz (the portal for journalists) and www.t-mobile.cz/pomahame (information on the company’s CSR activities).

Contact details of the press unit: press@t-press.cz.