• In line with the Green ITN dynamic, the Group is strengthening its cooperation with its major providers, led by Nokia, to reduce the carbon footprint of networks.
• The partners identify and implement actions to reduce the environmental impact of networks throughout their life cycle, from design to use, to the end of the equipment’s life.
Orange has reaffirmed its commitment to reduce the carbon footprint linked to its activities, by formalising a target of reducing CO2 emissions by 45% on scopes 1, 2 and 3 by 2030 (compared to 2020). Achieving this ambition requires an increased effort on IT & Networks, ITN, which accounted for around 60% of the company’s total greenhouse gas emissions in 2023.
With the Extreme Deep Sleep Mode feature, the aim is to move towards a “zero bit, zero watt” approach, i.e. zero energy consumption in the absence of traffic.
Thinking “Green ITN” with providers
This specific effort is orchestrated internally as part of the Green ITN programme, which has been in place for several years and reinforced to guarantee and refine the consideration of emissions. The programme works in partnership with the “Partners to net zero carbon” initiative, which encourages the carrier’s ecosystem of providers—of network equipment in particular—to decarbonise their products and services.
In this context, since 2023, Orange has strengthened its collaboration with its main providers to explore, experiment and operationalise innovative solutions and processes for network sustainability. According to Marie-Laure Lamouroux, PMO/Strategy Director and Head of the Green ITN Programme at Orange: “The purpose of these partnerships is to work hand-in-hand to mutually reduce our emissions, which are closely linked. The more we decarbonise our networks, the greater the impact on the emissions trajectory of our providers, and vice-versa.”
A threefold quest for sustainability
With Nokia, the cooperation is structured around:
- energy efficiency of active equipment, for example through the implementation of energy-saving features;
- work on the technical environment beyond active equipment;
- exploration of levers for reducing scope 3 emissions.
As part of this, the partners are seeking to refine their understanding of the life cycle (Life Cycle Assessment, LCA) of products by developing a technique for identifying hotspots, to determine—and act on—the largest CO2 cost items. In this context, for example, a joint reflection workshop on extending the life cycle of equipment has been launched.
Among the promising breakthrough innovations currently being studied and tested, is one that offers an ultra-advanced energy-saving feature, which is far more efficient than existing techniques: Extreme Deep Sleep Mode.
Towards a “zero bit, zero watt” approach
On paper, the principle is simple and has already been implemented in network operations: turn off part of the access network equipment with little or no demand when traffic is low or non-existent. The next challenge Nokia intends to address is switching from Sleep Mode to Extreme Deep Sleep Mode, with the aim of achieving a “zero bit, zero watt” goal, i.e. zero energy consumption in the absence of traffic. The equipment manufacturer has embarked on a significant upgrade of its products and software solutions, to reduce energy consumption by more than 90% compared to a cell in service, by disconnecting more components compared to current standby processes.
“Up to now, our networks have always maintained a base level of consumption, even without traffic, ” says Marie-Laure Lamouroux. “With the Extreme Deep Sleep Mode solution, the goal is to achieve a design whereby this consumption will become marginal. The solution will be tested in the first quarter of 2025 on 5G Massive MIMO antennas, with a consumption target of less than 10 watts and a wake-up time of less than 5 minutes.
Another initiative, aimed at maximising the effectiveness of the standby functions already available on our networks, involves us working on the use of AI/Machine Learning technologies to better configure and implement them, to optimise the gains achieved, based on Nokia’s MantaRay SON platform.”
Consumption and cost savings
The partners are also testing the Virtual Power Plant solution, which aims to optimise different energy sources to save on the related operating costs and even, under certain conditions, generate additional revenue. In particular, this could make it possible to make the most of the back-up batteries installed on base stations, which often remain unused in the absence of power cuts. The aim, by dynamically switching from electricity grid power to battery power, is to reduce energy costs and emissions, and even generate additional revenue for the carrier. The switch between the different modes is determined by an AI-based algorithm, which defines the time, duration and available capacity. “With this mechanism, we can either shift our consumption, putting ourselves on batteries when the energy contract is the most expensive, or completely remove ourselves from the electricity grid. With a latency range of seconds, or even less, it is then possible to participate in the various energy reserve markets via an auction system. Therefore, the more active we are and the more we switch off, the more revenue we generate. The process, which is complex to implement, requires prior consultation with Orange in each country to determine what the local market allows and what investment is required”. To be continued…
Indirect emissions generated upstream by the purchase of equipment or services from providers and subcontractors, and downstream by the use of products sold or leased to customers.
Marie-Laure Lamouroux
