PLDT wireless unit Smart Communications said Friday it will combine solar energy with battery storage systems to power its cell sites.
The move forms part of Smart’s push to operate a greener network and integrate sustainable solutions in its daily operations.
“The ‘Solar and Energy Storage as a Service’ or SESaaS model will improve availability of power supply especially in areas where there is limited or no commercial power allowing us to serve more remote communities,” said PLDT and Smart first vice president and network head Eric Santiago.
“This will also reduce Smart’s use of power from carbon sources. Once fully implemented, we’re looking at a reduction of as much as 88 percent in greenhouse gas emissions in off-grid sites,” he said.
Smart completed proofs of concept for four power source types – Good Grid, Poor Grid, Bad Grid and Off-Grid – in two locations.
The first location is in an off-grid site in Palawan, where the installation successfully energized the tower the entire day.
The second location is a commercial grid-powered site along STAR Tollway where the facility proved it can seamlessly switch from being energized by the commercial grid, to being electrified by surplus power stored in batteries.
PLDT and Smart president and chief executive Alfredo Panlilio identified sustainability as one of the key pillars underpinning the PLDT Group strategy and continues to advocate the expanded use of renewable energy and green technologies in daily operations.
Smart sees opportunities for cost efficiencies based on the POCs.
This will also enable Smart to extend mobile signal availability to customers in remote areas not connected to the electricity grid.
It can also limit dependence on diesel generators in case of power failures and emergency situations.
Smart continues to search for alternative power sources particularly renewables given the limited supply of non-conventional power from the market.
The PLDT Group continues to test and adopt environmentally friendly technologies as part of pursuing its decarbonization roadmap where it targets to reduce GHG emissions by 40 percent by 2030.