By some estimates, there are about five million mobile base stations (towers, in many cases) in the world, with average power draw at about 6 kilowatts (kW) rising to between eight and 10 kW at peak traffic periods, according to Schneider Electric.
That amounts to a global energy footprint of 50GW at peak power, operating at a power utilization efficiency (PUE) ratio of 1.5, meaning that about half of the power is wasted. More efficient base stations possible with 5G mean lower electrical consumption and lower carbon emissions.
Eventually, as 5G standalone base stations are added, electrical consumption will fall, and fall more once the older 2G, 3G and eventually 4G base stations are decommissioned. That will take some time, but the point is that better energy efficiency is coming, allowing operation with 4 kW on average and 6 kW at peak.
The savings come from the ability to put 5G radios into sleep mode when not actively transmitting customer traffic.
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