Energy-related characteristics

Description

Energy-related characteristics are a set of parameters and metrics that describe how energy is consumed, sourced, and managed within a mobile network operator's infrastructure. Introduced in 3GPP Release 20, this concept addresses the growing need for energy efficiency and sustainability in telecommunications. The characteristics encompass five key dimensions: energy consumption (the amount of energy used by network elements), energy supply mix (the proportion of renewable versus non-renewable sources), carbon footprint (the total greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy usage), energy capacity (the maximum energy that can be supplied or stored), and availability conditions (the reliability and continuity of energy supply).

In terms of architecture, energy-related characteristics are collected from various network elements, including base stations, core network nodes, and data centers. These data are then aggregated and exposed through management interfaces, such as those defined in 3GPP TS 28.310 and TS 28.885. The information can be used by network management systems to optimize energy usage dynamically, for example, by shifting traffic to cells powered by renewable energy or by reducing consumption during peak carbon intensity periods. The concept also supports reporting to external stakeholders, such as regulators or customers, for sustainability compliance.

The implementation relies on standardized data models and interfaces. TS 22.261 specifies service requirements for energy efficiency, while TS 22.883 outlines study items for energy-related aspects. TS 26.942 focuses on media handling and energy efficiency, and TS 28.885 defines the management framework for energy efficiency. These specifications ensure interoperability and consistent measurement across multi-vendor networks.

Energy-related characteristics play a crucial role in the transition towards green networks. They enable operators to monitor and reduce their environmental impact, comply with regulatory targets, and potentially lower operational costs through energy savings. As networks evolve towards 5G-Advanced and 6G, the granularity and real-time availability of these characteristics will become even more important for autonomous energy management.

Key challenges include the lack of standardized measurement methods for some parameters (e.g., carbon footprint of individual network functions) and the need for real-time data exchange. Ongoing work in 3GPP aims to refine these aspects, ensuring that energy-related characteristics become an integral part of network management and orchestration.

Purpose & Motivation

The concept of energy-related characteristics was created to address the pressing need for energy efficiency and sustainability in mobile networks. As network traffic grows exponentially, energy consumption has become a significant operational cost and environmental concern. Traditional network management focused primarily on performance and capacity, with little visibility into energy usage. This led to inefficient energy practices and an inability to report on sustainability metrics.

Previous approaches lacked standardized ways to measure and exchange energy information across multi-vendor networks. Operators had to rely on proprietary solutions, which hindered comprehensive energy management and comparison. The introduction of energy-related characteristics in Release 20 provides a common framework for collecting, aggregating, and utilizing energy data. It enables operators to make informed decisions about energy sourcing, optimize network operations for lower carbon footprint, and meet regulatory requirements for environmental reporting.

Moreover, the concept supports the industry's broader goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving net-zero targets. By integrating energy awareness into network management, it paves the way for autonomous energy-saving features and dynamic adaptation to energy availability, such as during periods of high renewable generation or grid stress.