‘Our green model demonstrated the potential to decrease diesel usage by 35%’
What are the green initiatives taken up by Vodafone India?
We have deployed hybrid solutions (ie, diesel generators and batteries working in alternate modes, with intelligent controllers), taking the total site numbers to 2,550. Our initiative is to deploy variable speed diesel generators that yield fuel efficiency by optimizing the generator operation based on the actual load. Around 234 sites are now powered by variable speed diesel generators. This move has demonstrated the potential to decrease diesel usage by 35%.
We have deployed 358 inverters at indoor sites. The inverters help in using back-up battery to run the air conditioner during power failure which reduces the generator run time. Installed in fuel in-let pipe, these fuel catalysts are passive devices, which increase the combustion capability of fuel and thereby reducing 8-10% carbon emission.
We have also identified base stations that can work in a ‘non-air conditioned’ environment and have started removing air conditioners from these sites. These sites are being equipped with fan filters for air circulation, thereby reducing energy consumption.
We have successfully deployed solar solution at 146 off grid sites resulting in 75% reduction in diesel generator run time. We have deployed free cooling units (FCU) at 1,850 indoor sites.
What has been the tangible outcome of those activities?
Reduction of 8,500 tonnes of CO2 in FY12 compared to FY11 at our own controlled sites, reduction of 4.8 mn litres of diesel consumption and 8% reduction in energy cost in the compared period.