Energy consumption of telecommunication access networks

Service group size 16 32 64 128 256 512 Number of service groups 1,584 794 399 202 103 54 Power consumption amplifier points [W] 89,100 44,640 22,410 11,340 5,760 3,015 Power consumption central offices [W] 126,720 69,120 34,560 17,280 11,520 5,760 Total power consumption access network [W] 215,820 113,760 59,970 28,620 17,280 8,775 Figure 21: Total power consumption of the HFC access network – amplifier points and central office. The overall power consumption of the HFC access network is therefore based on the power consumption of the amplifier points as well as the central office. Depending on the service group size, the total power consumption is between 8,775 watts and approximately 216 kilowatts (see Figure 21). 6.3.2 Customer premises equipment In order to establish a connection between a user and the internet, additional equipment is needed. Nearly every user needs a house amplifier to ensure the necessary signal level. The house amplifier is installed between the connection point (the passive network termination of the access network) and the modem. According to equipment manufacturers, the average power consumption of deployed house amplifiers is approximately 5 watts per device (see Figure 22). Beside the house amplifier, the user needs a modem to establish a connection into the internet. Today, combined modem-router devices, like the AVM Fritzbox 6590 Cable, are used. Currently used devices have an average power consumption of approximately 13 watts (see Figure 22). Number of subscribers 25,311 House amplifier Power consumption/house amplifier [W] 5 126,555 Total power consumption house amplifiers [W] Modem& router Power consumption/ modem& router device [W] 2,659 329,043 Total power consumption modem & router devices [W] 455,598 Total power consumption of customer premises [W] Figure 22: Power consumption of the customer premises equipment. As Figure 22 shows, the total power consumption of the customer premises equipment for all 25,311 subscribers is approximately 455.6 kW. 23