Energy-as-a-Service VPP launched for telcom network operators

Intertrust, a distributed computing and rights management tech provider, and Seoul-based EIPGRID, a distributed energy resource management developer, have launched an Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) system for telecommunications operators.

According to the GSM Association’s energy efficiency report, globally, telecommunications operators’ network operations consume 2 – 3% of the world’s energy annually.

The partners’ EaaS solution aims to lower telcomm’s soaring energy bills, cut carbon emissions and increase sustainability footprints. The platform provides AI-driven Virtual Power Plant (VPP) services to reduce energy consumption.

One of the main challenges to reducing energy consumption in telecommunications networks is the collection of data and sending of control signals between multiple vendors’ equipment.

The service enables operators to analyse energy usage across cell towers and other network equipment from multiple vendors while reducing energy consumption. It utilises EIPGRID’s AI capabilities and Intertrust’s Explicit Private Networking (XPN) technology, launched as part of its platform in 2022 to enhance cybersecurity.

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The EaaS system protects and manages network performance and user data in compliance with strict utilities and data privacy regulations, aiming to defend networks and users against malicious attacks from its cloud endpoints.

“Operators today spend billions on electricity to run 5G and other infrastructure because telecommunications network equipment was designed for an era of inexpensive electricity,” said Tony Lee, founder and CEO of EIPGRID.

“Ultimately, consumers are left bearing these costs, which also generate vast amounts of harmful carbon emissions. Our platform provides efficient, clean energy precisely for these settings.”

The companies tout the platform’s ability to work agnostically across network equipment while providing energy data management in a neutral and objective way on the network operator’s behalf.

“Data management and security are core issues in network management,” said Talal G. Shamoon, Intertrust CEO.

“In telecom energy management, the problem is compounded not only by cross-vendor operations, but also by interoperability challenges between energy companies, device makers, regulators and operators. Intertrust Platform threads this needle precisely and allows EIPGRID’s VPP AI to work like a charm.”