SoftBank Tests Renewable Base Stations, AI Power System

TOKYO, Japan - SoftBank Corp said it initiated testing of a base station using solar and wind power and deployed an artificial intelligence system to manage base station power consumption.

The company said it began operating a hybrid renewable energy base station in Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture. 

The station generates one-third of the required power on-site, with the remainder supplied by commercial electricity.

The facility uses solar panels and three-kilowatt wind turbines. SoftBank said the turbines include diffuser covers and operate at wind speeds of 3 meters per second.

The company stated the design produces two to three times the output of comparable turbines.

The station switches to commercial power when the battery level falls below a set point.

During outages, the station operates on battery reserves and recharges through solar and wind generation when conditions permit.

SoftBank said Lendlease Japan participated in the development. The company said it will evaluate deployment at additional locations from fiscal 2026.

SoftBank said it developed an artificial intelligence system that places base station cells in sleep mode during low-traffic periods.

The system analyzes traffic patterns and pedestrian movement to identify cells that can reduce power consumption without degrading service.

The company said the system expands the number of cells eligible for sleep mode from 14,000 to 24,000.

SoftBank stated that the analysis determines whether surrounding stations can accommodate traffic without congestion.

The system sets threshold parameters for each base station rather than using uniform values. SoftBank said this extends sleep duration per station by 40 percent.

The system returns cells to normal operation if service quality declines.

SoftBank said it filed patent applications for cell selection and parameter functions and holds a patent for automatic restoration.

The company estimated the system will reduce annual power consumption by five million kilowatt-hours at base stations scheduled for deployment during fiscal 2025.

SoftBank said that base stations account for more than half of its electricity use.

The company stated that it converted more than 90 percent of base-station power to renewable sources in fiscal 2024 through SB Power Corp.

The company set a target to source all electricity from renewable sources by fiscal 2030, with more than 50 percent from direct renewable generation.

SoftBank stated in June 2023 it would eliminate net greenhouse gas emissions across its supply chain by 2050.