Telecom Tower Backup Power: Sodium-ion Outperforms Lead-acid

A leading telecommunications operator has successfully replaced traditional lead-acid batteries with sodium-ion battery systems for backup power at 200 tower sites across Southeast Asia, achieving significant improvements in total cost of ownership and operational performance.

Challenge

Telecom towers in remote areas require reliable backup power with long cycle life and the ability to operate in high-temperature environments. Lead-acid batteries required frequent replacement every 2-3 years, leading to high maintenance costs and operational disruptions.

Solution

Sodium-ion battery systems with 20 kWh capacity each were installed across 200 sites. The systems offer superior cycle life (5,000+ cycles) and maintain stable performance at ambient temperatures up to 55°C.

Results After 12 Months

• 60% reduction in battery replacement costs
• 40% lower total cost of ownership over 8-year projected lifespan
• Zero battery-related tower downtime
• Reliable operation in tropical climate conditions