Alcatel-Lucent has announced the operational launch of the first alternative energy laboratory and pilot site in the world dedicated to the telecoms sector. Located on its Bell Labs research site in Villarceaux, France, this station forms part of an Alternative Energy strategic programme launched by the company to respond to the growing demand from wireless operators for energy-autonomous and green wireless networking equipment that can provide advanced communications capabilities even in remote areas with no access to commercial power grids.
This programme builds on Alcatel-Lucent’s recent innovations to create more energy efficient wireless networks and leverage its experience deploying more than 300 radio sites powered by alternative energy sources. The goal is to develop a mass-produced alternative energy solution capable of being deployed to more than 100,000 wireless base station sites through 2012.
The team staffing this lab will research technologies that will enable operators serving developed areas to retrofit existing base stations with alternative energy solutions, consequently cutting down on their carbon emission and reducing their network operating costs while protecting the environment.