Application Server Energy Consumption Information

Description

AS Energy Consumption Information refers to the energy-related data that Application Servers (AS) collect and expose to the 3GPP network. This concept was introduced in 3GPP Release 20 as part of the ongoing efforts to enhance energy efficiency and sustainability in mobile networks. The information encompasses metrics such as power consumption, energy usage, and efficiency indicators of application servers that host services consumed by User Equipment (UE) over the 3GPP network. By exposing this data, the network can make informed decisions about resource allocation, traffic steering, and energy-saving policies.

The architecture for AS Energy Consumption Information involves several key components. The Application Server, which may be an edge application server (EAS) or a central application server, collects energy consumption data from its underlying infrastructure, including CPU usage, memory utilization, network interface power, and cooling overhead. This data is then exposed to the 3GPP network through standardized interfaces, such as the NEF (Network Exposure Function) or via the Service Enabler Architecture Layer (SEAL) as defined in 3GPP TS 23.367. The network's management functions, such as the OAM (Operations, Administration, and Maintenance) or the NWDAF (Network Data Analytics Function), can consume this information to optimize network energy efficiency.

The collection and exposure of AS Energy Consumption Information is governed by 3GPP TS 23.367, which specifies the architecture enhancements for 5G System (5GS) to support energy efficiency and energy saving. Additionally, 3GPP TS 26.942 defines the protocols and procedures for collecting and exposing energy-related information from application servers. The information may include real-time power measurements, historical energy consumption trends, and predictive analytics. The exposure can be periodic, event-driven, or on-demand, depending on the network's requirements and the application server's capabilities.

The primary use cases for AS Energy Consumption Information include network energy saving, where the network can adjust its own energy consumption based on the load and energy profile of application servers; traffic steering, where traffic can be directed to application servers with lower energy consumption or higher renewable energy usage; and sustainability reporting, where the network operator can report the overall energy efficiency of the network and its services. The information also enables the network to participate in demand-response programs, where energy consumption is adjusted based on grid conditions.

The introduction of AS Energy Consumption Information in Release 20 reflects the growing importance of energy efficiency in 5G and future 6G networks. As networks become more dense and diverse, with edge computing and network slicing, the energy consumption of application servers becomes a significant factor in the overall network energy footprint. By standardizing the collection and exposure of this information, 3GPP enables a holistic approach to energy management, where both network and application resources are optimized for energy efficiency. This is aligned with global sustainability goals and regulatory requirements for reducing the carbon footprint of telecommunications infrastructure.

Purpose & Motivation

The AS Energy Consumption Information concept was created to address the lack of visibility into the energy consumption of application servers within the 3GPP network ecosystem. Prior to Release 20, energy efficiency efforts in 3GPP primarily focused on the radio access network (RAN) and core network functions, with limited consideration of the energy consumed by application servers that deliver services to users. However, as networks evolve towards edge computing and network slicing, application servers become integral parts of the service delivery chain, and their energy consumption can be substantial.

The motivation for standardizing AS Energy Consumption Information is threefold. First, it enables the network to make energy-aware decisions, such as steering traffic to application servers that are more energy-efficient or powered by renewable energy sources. Second, it supports the growing demand for sustainability reporting and transparency, allowing operators to quantify and report the energy footprint of their services. Third, it facilitates participation in energy markets and demand-response programs, where the network can adjust its energy consumption in response to grid signals.

Historically, energy efficiency in 3GPP has been addressed through features like cell DTX/DRX, energy-saving modes in RAN, and power management in core network functions. However, these efforts did not include application servers, which are often owned and operated by third parties. The introduction of AS Energy Consumption Information in Release 20 bridges this gap by defining standardized mechanisms for collecting and exposing energy data from application servers. This allows the network to integrate application-level energy information into its overall energy management framework, leading to more comprehensive and effective energy-saving strategies.