Controllis introduces 'carbon neutral' power solution

05 December 2019

A bright future for IIoT

Controllis hybrid DC generator

Controllis, a supplier of hybrid power systems for mobile network operators (MNOs) and tower companies, has developed a site power system that it said is carbon neutral and will help support a net zero emissions economy.

Based on the company's globally deployed Modular48 DC power system (which the firm said already reduces carbon emissions by up to 90% by harnessing solar power and rechargeable lithium ion batteries) Controllis Zero will allow MNOs and tower companies to overcome the final 10% of the CO2emissions challenge.

Controllis said it has been able to achieve this carbon-neutral status by considering the carbon cycle process in its entirety and adapting its unique DC generator technology to run on E100 bioethanol instead of diesel. The company added that this is accomplished without compromising network uptime.

According to the GSMA there are more than one million off-grid/poor-grid telecoms sites in use globally, which combined are generating a carbon footprint greater than countries such as Cameroon. By leveraging the environmental benefits of biofuels and supporting ethically approved CO2 offsetting processes such as tree planting or renewable energy sources for remote communities, Controllis Zero is said to help large telcos meet their legal, shareholder and green obligations.

“With global warming increasing and net zero targets looming, companies are under increasing pressure to operate in a more sustainable way,” said Simon Albury, managing director of Controllis.“ Controllis Zero has been developed with efficiency initiatives such as OFGEM’s ECO in mind and any CO2 released during energy production is offset by a carbon-neutral biofuel manufacturing process.”

Controllis Zero is also said to comprise powerful and secure remote monitoring and analytical tools, giving onsite and offsite maintenance teams meaningful and actionable insights into all aspects of the system’s power output and performance levels in real time.