Evaluating the Dispatchable Capacity of Base Station Backup Batteries in Distribution Networks

Cellular base stations (BSs) are equipped with backup batteries to obtain the uninterruptible power supply (UPS) and maintain the power supply reliability. While maintaining the reliability, the backup batteries of 5G BSs have some spare capacity over time due to the traffic-sensitive characteristic of 5G BS electricity load. Therefore, the spare capacity is dispatchable and can be used as flexibility resources for power systems. This paper evaluates the dispatchable capacity of the BS backup batteries in distribution networks and illustrates how it can be utilized in power systems. The BS reliability model is first established considering potential distribution network interruptions and the effects of backup batteries. Then, the analytical formula of the BS availability index is derived with respect to batteries’ backup duration. The dispatchable capacity of BS backup batteries is evaluated in different distribution networks and with differing communication load levels. Furthermore, a potential application, daily operation optimization, is illustrated. Case studies show that the proposed methodology can effectively evaluate the dispatchable capacity and that dispatching the backup batteries can reduce 5G BS electricity bills while satisfying the reliability requirement.