Description
Power, Energy and Environmental (PEE) is a comprehensive framework within 3GPP that addresses the sustainability and energy consumption of mobile networks. It encompasses specifications defining key performance indicators (KPIs), management interfaces, and network features designed to monitor, report, and optimize power usage across the Radio Access Network (RAN) and Core Network. The architecture involves network elements like base stations (gNBs, eNBs) and core functions reporting energy-related data to management systems, such as the Network Management System (NMS) or Element Management System (EMS). These systems collect metrics defined in PEE specifications, such as Energy Consumption (EC), Energy Efficiency (EE), and the utilization of renewable energy sources. The PEE framework enables features like energy saving management (ESM), where network nodes can enter low-power states (e.g., cell sleep modes, symbol shutdown) during periods of low traffic. This is coordinated through management interfaces like the Itf-N or service-based interfaces in 5G. The PEE specifications also cover environmental aspects, including carbon footprint tracking and guidelines for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The role of PEE is integral to network operation and maintenance (OAM), providing operators with the tools to implement greener policies, comply with environmental regulations, and reduce operational expenditures (OPEX) associated with energy costs.
Purpose & Motivation
The creation of the PEE work item in 3GPP Release 14 was driven by the growing global emphasis on sustainability and the urgent need to reduce the carbon footprint of the ICT sector. Mobile networks, with millions of base stations worldwide, are significant consumers of electrical energy. Prior to dedicated PEE specifications, energy efficiency efforts were ad-hoc and vendor-specific, lacking standardized metrics and management procedures. This made it difficult for operators to benchmark performance, implement consistent energy-saving features across multi-vendor networks, or report environmental impact accurately. PEE standardizes these aspects, enabling coordinated energy saving across the network. It addresses the problem of increasing energy costs and the environmental impact of expanding 5G networks, which require more sites and potentially higher power consumption. By providing a unified framework, PEE helps operators deploy features like dynamic shutdown of network resources, optimize cooling systems, and integrate renewable energy, ultimately contributing to corporate sustainability goals and regulatory compliance.
Classification
Detected Changes Across Releases
from 3GPP Change RequestsSpecific changes extracted from the „Change history“ tables of 3GPP specifications (26 CRs across 5 releases). Complements the general historical overview above with the evidence-based evolution of this function.
Studied in Rel-14, normative work from Rel-15.
In Release 15, the PEE function was newly introduced by establishing standardized energy-related measurements and corresponding use case descriptions. This foundational work enabled the collection and exposure of energy consumption data, defined as the integral of power over time, from network elements. It provided the initial framework for managing and orchestrating energy efficiency within the 5G system.
- Introduction of power, energy and environment related measurements and related use case description. TS 32.405CR0079
- Introduction of power, energy and environment related measurements and related use case description. TS 32.425CR0168
- Introduction of power, energy and environment related measurements and related use case description. TS 52.402CR0009
In Release 16, the PEE function introduced enhanced requirements traceability for energy saving use cases and updated the measurements supporting energy efficiency KPIs. It also provided corrections and clarifications to the general descriptions for both centralized and distributed energy saving activation and deactivation procedures. Furthermore, the scope was refined by removing the distributed scenario from the inter-RAT energy saving use case.
- Add missing requirements traceability for energy saving use cases TS 28.310CR0002
- Correction on general descriptions of centralized energy saving activation and deactivation TS 28.310CR0003
- Correction on general descriptions of distributed energy saving activation and deactivation TS 28.310CR0005
- Remove the distributed scenario from the inter-RAT energy saving use case TS 28.310CR0007
- Update measurements supporting energy efficiency KPI TS 32.425CR0177
In Release 17, the PEE function introduced new use cases and requirements for switching off User Plane Functions (UPFs) at the network edge during off-peak hours to achieve energy savings. It also included updates on energy-saving management services and provided solutions for calculating the energy consumption of Physical Network Functions (PNFs), Virtual Network Functions (VNFs), and their components (VNFCs). Furthermore, the release delivered updates on energy efficiency solutions specifically for URLLC network slices.
- Add use case and requirements for switching off UPFs deployed at the edge of the network during off-peak hours to achieve energy savings. TS 28.310CR0010
- Update on energy efficiency of URLLC network slice TS 28.310CR0011
- Update clause 6.2 for energy saving TS 28.310CR0018
- Update on the solutions for energy efficiency TS 28.310CR0017
- Solutions to calculate the energy consumption of PNF/VNF/VNFCs TS 28.310CR0021
- Update on energy saving management services TS 28.310CR0015
+ 1 more changes
In Release 18, the PEE function introduced new procedures for energy saving compensation and extended energy saving management to User Plane Functions (UPFs). It also formally adopted an intent-driven management approach for RAN energy saving use cases and updated the related energy efficiency terminology within the management framework.
- Add Energy Saving compensation procedure TS 28.310CR0022
- Rel-18 CR TS 28.310 Add reference to TS 28.312 for intent driven approach for RAN energy saving use case TS 28.310CR0038
- Rel-18 CR 28.310 Update on energy saving for UPFs TS 28.310CR0037
- Rel-18 CR TS 28.310 Update energy saving terms TS 28.310CR0048
In Release 19, the PEE function introduced new capabilities for multi-carrier RAN energy saving optimization and formally defined an information model for energy-related data. It expanded the requirements and use cases for Energy Efficiency as a Service (EEaaS) and added a solution description for multi-dimensional energy efficiency. Furthermore, the release corrected and updated technical details, such as the data type reference for EnergySourceInfo, to enhance the management of energy information.
- Rel-19 CR TS 28.310 Multi-carrier RAN energy saving optimization TS 28.310CR0071
- Rel-19 CR TS 28.310 Add use case and requirements for energy related information TS 28.310CR0077
- Rel-19 CR TS 28.310 Add information model definitions for energy information TS 28.310CR0082
- Rel-19 CR TS 28.310 Update UC and requirements of Energy Efficiency as a Service Criteria TS 28.310CR0090
- Rel-19 CR TS 28.310 Add missing solution description for multi-dimensional energy efficiency TS 28.310CR0091
- Rel-19 CR TS 28.310 Correct reference clause number for EnergySourceInfo data type TS 28.310CR0093
+ 1 more changes
Explore further
Broader topics and technologies where PEE plays a role.
Defining Specifications
3GPP specifications that define or reference PEE, with the latest known release. Sourced from the 3GPP document catalog — see methodology.
| Specification | Title | Release |
|---|---|---|
| TR 26.942 vj00 | Study on Media Energy Consumption Exposure & Evaluation | Rel-19 |
| TS 28.304 vj00 | PEE Parameters Control & Monitoring Requirements | Rel-19 |
| TS 28.305 vj00 | PEE Control & Monitoring IRP Information Service | Rel-19 |
| TS 28.310 vj20 | Energy Efficiency Management for 5G Networks | Rel-19 |
| TS 32.405 vj00 | UTRAN Performance Measurements Specification | Rel-19 |
| TS 32.425 vj00 | E-UTRAN Performance Measurements | Rel-19 |
| TS 32.856 vf00 | Energy Efficiency Assessment for RAN OAM | Rel-15 |
| TS 52.402 vj00 | GSM Performance Management Measurements | Rel-19 |