Selection and indication of sustainably powered networks, serving nodes and cells in a wireless communication network

Abstract

Methods and network nodes for indicating energy source information and optimizing energy using in a wireless communication network are provided. A first network node (211) sends an indication to at least one of a UE (230, 231) and a second network node (212) for enabling at least one of the UE (230, 231) and second network node (212) to obtain energy source information of the first network node (211) and optimize energy using. The indication is a sustainable powered network (SPN) related indication.

Description

[0001] SELECTION AND INDICATION OF SUSTAINABLY POWERED NETWORKS, SERVING

[0002] NODES AND CELLS IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORK

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] Embodiments herein relate to network nodes, user equipment and methods therein. In particular, they relate to handling selection and indication of sustainably powered networks, serving nodes and cells for optimizing energy using in a wireless communication network.

[0005] BACKGROUND

[0006] In a typical wireless communication network, wireless devices, also known as wireless communication devices, mobile stations, and / or user equipment (UE), communicate via a Radio Access Network (RAN) to one or more core networks (CN). The RAN covers a geographical area which is divided into service areas or cell areas, which may also be referred to as a beam or a beam group, with each service area or cell area being served by a radio network node such as a RAN node, a Wi-Fi access point or a radio base station (RBS), which in some networks may also be denoted, for example, a “NodeB” or “eNodeB” or “eNB” or “gNB”. A service area or cell area is a geographical area where radio coverage is provided by the radio network node. The radio network node communicates over an air interface operating on radio frequencies with the wireless communication devices within a range of the radio network node.

[0007] A Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) is a third generation (3G) telecommunication network, which evolved from the second generation (2G) Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). Specifications for the Evolved Packet System (EPS), also called a Fourth Generation (4G) network or Long Term Evolution (LTE) have been completed within the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) and this work continues in the coming 3GPP releases, for example to specify a Fifth Generation (5G) New Radio (NR) network, Next Generation (NG) and upcoming releases.

[0008] In 3GPP RAN3 group, a discussion on how to support Network Energy Saving (NES / ES) operations via Artificial Intelligence (Al) and Machine Learning (ML) is ongoing.

[0009] As part of this, it was discussed how to improve network efficiency between a pair of neighbouring RAN nodes via various techniques. Such techniques would in general consist of the neighbouring nodes exchanging information concerning their measured and predicted energy consumption or a metric that reflects such consumption, also known as Energy Cost (EC). By such exchange of information, the pair of neighbouring nodes is able to take optimal energy saving actions that would minimize the energy consumption of the pair of neighbouring nodes.

[0010] So far the 3GPP group has not discussed the criteria according to which two nodes initiate AI / ML based energy saving procedures between each other. The general understanding is that such procedures can be triggered between two neighbouring RAN nodes.

[0011] Examples of how such procedures can occur between the neighbouring RAN nodes is shown in Figurel .

[0012] In Figure 1 , the first network node NG-RAN 1 requests to the second network node NG-RAN 2 to evaluate the energy cost associated with a specific traffic offload action initiated by the first network node NG-RAN 1 towards the second network node NG-RAN 2. For example, the first network node NG-RAN 1 sends an AI / ML action evaluation request, e.g. offload of traffic from Cell A to Cell B due to ES, to the second network node NG-RAN 2.

[0013] The second network node NG-RAN 2 determines the associated energy cost and replies with such information to the first network node NG-RAN 1. For example, the second network node NG-RAN 2 sends to the first network node NG-RAN 1 an AI / ML action evaluation response, e.g. EC for traffic to be offloaded.

[0014] With this information the first network node NG-RAN 1 would be able to identify whether the energy saving action e.g., offloading the traffic from cell A to cell B, is beneficial for the overall minimization of energy consumption between the first network node NG-RAN 1 and the second network node NG-RAN 2.

[0015] Additionally, the second network node NG-RAN 2 may also provide to the first network node NG-RAN 1 metrics related to the measured energy consumption at the second network node NG-RAN 2. Such metrics could be collected before and after the energy saving action potentially triggered by the first network node NG-RAN 1. Alternatively, such metrics could be reported without any relation to any energy saving action.

[0016] Metrics related to the measured consumption of energy at a network node reporting them are used to monitor energy consumption trends at the reporting node and, potentially, to derive AI / ML models able to predict energy consumption at the reporting node, with the aim of predicting the actions that would lower the overall energy consumption at the requesting and the reporting node. SUMMARY

[0017] It is an object of embodiments herein to provide a method for optimizing energy using in a wireless communication network.

[0018] According to one aspect of the embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a first network node and method therein for optimizing energy using in a wireless communication network. The first network node sends an indication to one or more user equipment (UEs) and / or to one or more network nodes for enabling the one or more UEs and I or network nodes to obtain energy source information of the first network node and optimize energy using based on the indication. The indication is a sustainable powered network (SPN) related indication.

[0019] Embodiments herein provide an ability to a RAN node to signal to different parts of a mobile communication system the type or nature, or the origin or source of the electrical power it is using. This may be the type / nature / origin / source of the electric power used at time t, by the RAN node or by some of the cells served by the RAN node or the proportion of each type / nature / origin / source of energy the RAN node is relying on for its operation or to serve some of its served cells for a defined period of time e.g. the last 24 hours, week or month. The RAN node can also indicate whether it is using or is able to use electrical power of different types / natures / origins / sources.

[0020] According to one aspect of the embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a UE and method therein for optimizing energy using in a wireless communication network. The UE receives an indication from a first network node. The indication is a sustainable powered network (SPN) related indication. The UE performs certain actions for optimizing energy using based on the SPN indication.

[0021] According to some embodiments herein, the UE may take into account the user’s preferences in terms of the type / nature / origin / source of the electrical power used by the network for the Idle mode selection procedures, such as Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) selection.

[0022] According to some embodiments herein, the UE may provide the user e.g. on UE display, with the information related to the type / nature / origin / source of the electrical power used by the RAN nodes of the network. Such information can be broadcasted, or sent on- demand, i.e. based on the UE request.

[0023] On-demand broadcast of the power / energy source information enables an admission control mechanism for the network to avoid overloading the RAN node serving the cells powered by the green / sustainable energy source, i.e., RAN node may decide not to broadcast an indication of the green source of energy, even if requested by the UEs.

[0024] According to some embodiments herein, the UE may provide the user e.g. on UE display, with information related to the type / nature / origin / source of the electrical power used by the RAN nodes of the different networks which are candidate networks for the manual PLMN selection.

[0025] According to some embodiments herein, the UE may perform PLMN selection and / or cell selection and / or cell reselection using user’s preferences and / or parameters determined or configured on the basis of the type / nature / origin / source of the electrical power used by the RAN nodes of the network.

[0026] According to one aspect of the embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a second network node and method therein for optimizing energy using in a wireless communication network. The second network node receives an indication from a first network node. The indication is a sustainable powered network (SPN) related indication. The second network node performs certain actions for optimizing energy using based on the SPN indication.

[0027] According to some embodiments herein, the network node may consider the user’s preferences in terms of the type / nature / origin / source of the electrical power source used by the network node for taking certain decisions related to the UE, for example:

[0028] • Mobility-related decisions e.g., selecting a target network node for the handover, based on the type of power source the RAN node uses.

[0029] • The decisions regarding the activation of certain features, such as e.g., establishing dual connectivity only towards nodes that are powered by certain types of energy sources.

[0030] • Selecting the radio access technology (RAT) to be used by the UE.

[0031] According to some embodiments herein, the RAN node may signal to other neighbouring RAN nodes the type / nature / origin / source of the electrical power it is using.

[0032] In this embodiment, the RAN node informs other RAN nodes of the type / nature / origin / source of the electrical power the node itself is using to serve all or some of the cells under its control.

[0033] The information signalled to the neighbouring RAN nodes may be used to take decisions related to how traffic is distributed in the network. For example, during the process of mobility target cell selection, a neighbouring RAN node may apply a higher weight towards selection of a target cell powered by “green” energy than to other cells. This would imply that cells powered by “green” energy will attract more traffic and will likely consume more energy, which may be justified by the fact that the source of power for these cells is “green” energy generated from natural resources, such as sunlight, wind or water etc.

[0034] In another embodiment, the information signalled from the RAN node may help at the time of deciding which cell should be powered off for reasons of energy saving. According to operator's policies, cells that are powered by “green” power may be considered cells that should never be powered off, or they should be considered cells that have to be powered off only after powering off of other cells that are not served with “green” energy.

[0035] The proposed solutions enable reduction of carbon footprint, by ensuring that the energy used to serve a UE comes, fully or partially, from sustainable sources.

[0036] Therefore embodiments herein provide improved methods and apparatus for optimizing energy using in wireless communication networks.

[0037] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Examples of embodiments herein are described in more detail with reference to attached drawings in which:

[0039] Figure 1 is a signal flow chart illustrating an example of information exchange for energy saving (ES) action evaluation;

[0040] Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a wireless communication network;

[0041] Figure 3 is a signal flow chart illustrating an example signal flow between a first and second network nodes according to embodiments herein;

[0042] Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating an example embodiment of a method performed in a first network node according to embodiments herein;

[0043] Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating an example embodiment of a method performed in a second network node according to embodiments herein;

[0044] Figure 6 is a signal flow chart illustrating an example signal flow between a network node and a UE according to embodiments herein;

[0045] Figure 7 is a flow chart illustrating an example embodiment of a method performed in a UE according to embodiments herein; Figure 8 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example embodiment of a network node;

[0046] Figure 9 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example embodiment of a UE.

[0047] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] In the invention, the terms such as "green", "sustainable", "clean", "renewable", “green power”, “clean power”, “renewable power”, “sustainable power”, “green energy”, “renewable energy sources”, “renewable power sources”, “sustainable energy sources”, “sustainable power sources”, “sustainable energy”, “renewable energy”, “green powered”, “alternative power”, “alternative energy”, “alternative power source”, “alternative energy source” etc. and similar terms, with a substantially equivalent meaning, or other terms to indicate one or more sources of clean / renewable / sustainable / green power / energy, such as “wind-powered”, “solar-power”, “non fossil power” can be used interchangeably. For example, a “Green Powered Network” or a “Green Powered RAN” are equivalent in terms of applicability of the embodiments herein to “Solar-Powered RAN”, or “Clean Network”, or “Sustainable Network” or “Sustainable RAN”, etc.

[0049] A Sustainable Powered Network (SPN) or equivalent naming is a radio access network, or a portion of a radio access network, made of one or more RAN node(s) which use(s) only, or at least in part one or more source(s) of renewable / sustainable / green / alternative of power / energy. In an alternative definition, an SPN can refer to a radio access network, or a portion of a radio access network, made of one or more RAN node(s) which uses for a big fraction of time or a relevant fraction of time, e.g., more than 10%, one or more source(s) of renewable / sustainable / green / alternative of power / energy. In another alternative definition, an SPN is a network that is not an Non-Sustainable Powered Network (NSPN).

[0050] A Non-Sustainable Powered Network, NSPN or equivalent naming is a radio access network, or a portion of a radio access network, made of one or more RAN node(s) which does not use at all any of the source(s) of renewable / sustainable / green / alternative power / energy. In an alternative definition, an NSPN can refer to a radio access network, or a portion of a radio access network, made of one or more RAN node(s) which uses only for a small fraction of time or a non-relevant fraction of time, e.g., less than 1%, one or more source(s) of renewable / sustainable / green / alternative of power / energy. In another alternative definition, an NSPN is a network that is not an SPN.

[0051] A Sustainable Powered Network Node (SPN-Node), or equivalent naming, is a RAN node that belongs to a Sustainable Powered Network. A Sustainable Powered Network Cell (SPN-Cell), or equivalent naming, is a cell served by a RAN node that belongs to a Sustainable Powered Network.

[0052] A Non-Sustainable Powered Network Node (NSPN-Node), or equivalent naming, is a RAN node that belongs to a Non-Sustainable Powered Network.

[0053] A Non-Sustainable Powered Network Cell (NSPN-Cell), or equivalent naming, is a cell served by a RAN node that belongs to a Non-Sustainable Powered Network.

[0054] The term “SPN property of a network or a node or a cell” means that the said network, network node or a cell are powered by a sustainable power source.

[0055] Embodiments herein relate to communication networks in general. Figure 2 is a schematic overview depicting a communication network 200. The communication network 200 may be a wireless communication network comprising one or more RANs, and one or more CNs. The communication network 200 may use a number of different RATs, such as Wi-Fi, Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced, NR, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Global System for Mobile communications / enhanced Data rate for GSM Evolution (GSM / EDGE), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), or Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), NR etc. just to mention a few possible implementations.

[0056] In the wireless communication network 200, one or more wireless communication devices 230, 231 such as a UE, a mobile station or a wireless terminal communicates via one or more Radio Access Networks (RAN) to one or more core networks (CN). It should be understood by the skilled in the art that “wireless communication device” is a nonlimiting term which means any terminal, wireless communication terminal, user equipment, Machine Type Communication (MTC) device, Device to Device (D2D) terminal, or node e.g. smart phone, laptop, mobile phone, sensor, relay, mobile tablets or even a small base station communicating within a cell.

[0057] Network nodes operate in the wireless communication network 200 such as a first network node 211, a second network node 212. The first and second network nodes 211 , 212 may be any of RAN node, such as gNB, eNB, en-gNB, ng-eNB, gNB etc. The first network node 211 provides radio coverage over a geographical area, a service area 11 , which may also be referred to as a beam or a beam group where the group of beams is covering the service area of a first radio access technology (RAT), such as 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi or similar. The second network node 212 provides radio coverage over a geographical area, a service area 12, which may also be referred to as a beam or a beam group where the group of beams is covering the service area of a second radio access technology (RAT), such as 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi or similar. It should be noted that a network node may be a RAN node, a CN node, an Operations And Maintenance (OAM) node, a gNB, eNB, en-gNB, ng-eNB, gNB-CU, gNB-CU-CP, gNB-DU, gNB-CU-UP, eNB- CU, eNB-DU, eNB-CU-CP, eNB-CU-UP, lAB-node, lAB-donor DU, lAB-donor-CU, IAB- DU, IAB-MT, O-CU, O-CU-CP, O-CU-UP, O-DU, O-RU, O-eNB.

[0058] The first / second network nodes 211 / 212 may be a transmission and reception point e.g. a radio access network node such as a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) access point or an Access Point Station (AP STA), an access controller, a base station, e.g. a radio base station such as a NodeB, a gNB, an evolved Node B (eNB, eNode B), a base transceiver station, a radio remote unit, an Access Point Base Station, a base station router, a transmission arrangement of a radio base station, a stand-alone access point or any other network unit capable of communicating with a wireless communication device within the service area served by the respective first / second network nodes 211 / 212 depending e.g. on the radio access technology and terminology used. The first and the second network nodes 211 / 212 may be referred to as a source and a target network node, respectively, and may communicate with the wireless communication device 230, 231 with Downlink (DL) transmissions to the wireless communication device 230, 231 and Uplink (UL) transmissions from the wireless communication device 230, 231.

[0059] Idle mode selection for sustainable powered network / nodes / cells

[0060] In one embodiment, a RAN node or a cell of a RAN node may be configured with or may obtain PLMN selection and / or cell selection and / or cell re-selection parameters associated to a certain type / nature / origin / source of the electrical power used by the RAN nodes of a network.

[0061] Support for selection for a “Sustainable-Powered network” (SPN) / Node / cell

[0062] In one embodiment, selection or re-selection of an SPN is executed automatically. A possible procedure is described below.

[0063] Non-access stratum (NAS) is a functional layer in the protocol stacks between the CN and UE. This layer is used to manage the establishment of communication sessions and for maintaining continuous communications with the UE as it moves. Access Stratum (AS) is a functional layer in the protocol stacks between radio network and UE and is responsible for carrying information over the wireless connection and managing radio resources.

[0064] On request of the UE Non-Access Stratum (NAS), the UE Access Stratum (AS) performs a search for available SPN and reports them to NAS. The UE scans all RF channels in one or more bands e.g., the NR bands, according to its capabilities to find available SPN. On each carrier, the UE shall search for the strongest cell and read its system information, in order to find out which SPN(s) the cell belongs to. For operation with shared spectrum channel access, the UE may also read the system information of multiple strongest cell(s). If the UE can read one or several SPN identities in the strongest cell or the multiple strongest cell(s) in case of operation with shared spectrum channel access, the UE reports each found SPN to the NAS. In a variant, the UE reports the found SPN to the NAS as a high quality SPN, if a high-quality criterion is fulfilled, e.g., for a cell of the SPN the measured Reference Signal Received Power( RSRP) value is greater than or equal to a threshold e.g., greater than or equal to - 110 dBm.

[0065] In one embodiment, the UE may indicate to the network node its preference of connecting to an SPN network, or a RAN node, or a cell belonging to one. This can be done explicitly, i.e., by means of a dedicated indication, or implicitly, where the indication can be sent, e.g., inside or together with, or separately from the UE measurement report. The UE may express its SPN-related preference(s) upon connecting to the network or at any later time.

[0066] In another embodiment, selection or re-selection of an SPN is executed manually. A possible procedure to realize manual (re)-selection of an SPN is described below.

[0067] For manual selection, UE shall upon request by NAS report available SPN identifiers to the NAS and the search for available SPNs may be stopped on request of the NAS.

[0068] The search for SPNs may be stopped on request from the NAS. The UE may optimize SPN search by using stored information, e.g., frequencies and optionally also information on cell parameters from previously received measurement control information elements.

[0069] Once the UE has selected an SPN, the cell selection procedure shall be performed in order to select a suitable cell of that SPN to camp on.

[0070] Cell selection and reselection for a “Sustainable-Powered network”

[0071] In order to perform the cell selection and / or the cell reselection, the UE may receive from a network node one or more specific parameters e.g., offset parameters, to be used when evaluating the cell selection criterion. For instance, according to TS 38.304 v17.4.0, the cell selection criterion S is fulfilled when:

[0072] Srxlev > 0 AND Squal > 0 where:

[0073] Srxlev QoffSCttemp

[0074] Squal QoffSCttemp

[0075] For the definition of these parameters, one can refer to TS 38.304 section 5.2.3.2 Cell Selection Criterion.

[0076] In one embodiment, the cell selection criterion S is extended or modified as follows: at least one of the Quantities. Qrxlevmin, Qoffsettemp, Qqualmin, Qqualminoffset, Qoffsettemp is a parameter specific for SPNs or is derived considering at least one parameter that is specific for an SPN and can be configured with a granularity of a RAN node e.g., per RAN node, or with a granularity of a cell e.g., per cell, or with a granularity of a cell relation e.g. per cell relation.

[0077] In another embodiment, the cell selection criterion S is extended or modified as follows: new optional parameter(s), specific for a RAN node that belongs to an SPN, or for a cell in a RAN node that belongs to an SPN are introduced. A UE can receive such optional parameters from a RAN node that belongs to an SPN, but also from a RAN node that does not belong to an SPN e.g., a RAN node that does not belong to an SPN and is neighboring another RAN node that belongs to an SPN, in broadcast or via dedicated signaling e.g., in an existing or new System Information message, or in RRCRelease message.

[0078] In one embodiment, the cell selection criterion S is modified by subtracting from one of Srxiev, or Squai, or both Srxlev and Squai a term associated to the use of renewable power sources. An example of this case follows:

[0079] Srxlev > 0 AND Squal > 0 where:

[0080] Srxlev

[0081] Qrxlevm

[0082] Squal QoffSCttemp where QrxlevminoffsetSPN is an offset associated to a cell that belongs to an SPN. In the proposed example, the UE applies the offset only to the signal strength i.e. , the offset is subtracted from the Qrxlevmeas, and a positive value of the offset will penalize the selection of the associated cell and vice versa in case of negative value. In another embodiment, the cell selection criterion S is modified by summing up to one of Srxiev, or Squai, or both Srxiev and Squaia term associated to the use of renewable power sources. An example of this case follows:

[0083] Srxiev > 0 AND Squai > 0 where: where QrxlevminoffsetSPN is an offset associated to a cell in an SPN. In the proposed example, the UE applies the offset only to the signal strength i.e. , the offset is added to the Qrxievmeas, and a positive value of the offset will favour the selection of the associated cell and vice versa in case of negative value.

[0084] In one embodiment, the UE may receive from a network node e.g. in a broadcast signaling, either - via an existing system information, or a newly defined system information - or in a dedicated signaling, a priority associated to SPN(s) e.g., a cell reselection priority. The UE may use such priority when evaluating the cell selection criterion, and / or when evaluating the cell reselection criteria.

[0085] In one embodiment, when a UE receives from a network node priority(ies) associated to the use of renewable energy sources, it uses it / them in all camping states.

[0086] In another embodiment, when a UE receives from a network node priority(ies) associated to the use of renewable energy sources, it uses it / them only when in certain camping state(s), for instance only when it is in “camped normally state”, or only when it is in “camped on any cell state”.

[0087] SPN related indications

[0088] In one embodiment, a RAN node that belongs to an SPN or does not belong to an SPN sends, e.g., via broadcasting specific system information, to a UE or a group of UEs one or more Network related SPN indications.

[0089] Network related SPN indications may be: a) indication(s) or identifier(s) e.g, flag(s), indicating the network serving the UE(s) or to which the UE(s) is(are) camped on, or towards which the UE(s) is(are) (re)-connecting to, or towards which the UE(s) is / are connected to, is an SPN or a Non-SPN. b) indication(s) or identifier(s) e.g, flag(s), indicating that the cell / RAN node serving the UE(s) or to which the UE(s) is(are) camped on, or towards which the UE(s) is(are) (re)-connecting to, or towards which the UE(s) is / are connected to, is a cell / RAN node that belongs to an SPN or belongs to a Non-SPN. For examples, if a cell / RAN node that belongs to an SPN, there is a special indication for saying if “SPN” is in use and the indication is “ON”, or if a cell / RAN node that belongs to a Non-SPN, there is a special indication for saying if “Non-SPN” is in use and the indication is “ON”. c) indication(s) or identifier(s) e.g., flag(s), indicating that the cell / RAN node serving the UE(s) or to which the UE(s) is(are) camped on, or towards which the UE(s) is(are) (re)-connecting to, or towards which the UE(s) is / are connected to, is a cell / RAN node that does not belong to an SPN or that does not belong to a Non-SPN. For examples, if a cell / RAN node that does not belong to an SPN, there is a special indication for saying if “SPN” is in use and the indication is “OFF", i.e. the cell belongs to a Non-SPN, or if a cell / RAN node does not belong to a Non-SPN, there is a special indication for saying if “Non-SPN” is in use and the indication is “OFF", i.e. the cell belongs to an SPN. d) indication(s) or identifier(s) of one or more type(s) / nature(s) / origin(s) / source(s) of the electrical power used by the SPN e) indication(s) or identifier(s) of one or more type(s) / nature(s) / origin(s) / source(s) of the electrical power used by the Non-SPN. f) indication(s) or identifier(s) e.g, flag(s), indicating that a specific set of random access channel (RACH) resources e.g. RACH partition is associated to a cell that is part of an SPN or a Non-SPN.

[0090] In one embodiment, an SPN may be identified by an identifier obtained by the concatenation of an existing identifier e.g. a PLMN Identifier and an additional (new) identifier e.g., an SPN-ID.

[0091] In one embodiment, an SPN may be identified by an identifier, e.g., an SPN-ID.

[0092] In one embodiment, a non-SPN may be identified by an identifier, indicating that the network in question is a non-SPN, e.g., using a special value for an SPN-ID for instance “000”. In another embodiment, the non-SPN property is implicitly indicated based on the absence of the SPN-ID or another SPN-related indicator.

[0093] In one option, the SPN-ID, or part of the SPN-ID indicates whether a network is an SPN or a non-SPN. In another option, which can be combined with the previous option, the SPN-ID or part of the SPN-ID identifies a specific type / nature / origin / source of electrical power. When the options are combined, it effectively means that an SPN-ID can be realized as a concatenation of identifiers, for instance: a first identifier indicating that a certain network is an SPN network or is a non-SPN network, and a second identifier indicating one specific source of electrical power.

[0094] In one embodiment, a RAN node belonging to an SPN, or not belonging to an SPN, may send one or more SPN-ID(s) towards one or more UEs. This may be achieved via UE dedicated signalling or via broadcasting of information towards all UEs that can decode such information. In one option, the SPN-ID(s) may be sent in a new, or existing system information. In another option, the SPN-ID(s) may be sent in a dedicated message, e.g. an RRCRelease message, or an RRCSetup message, or an RRCResume message, or an RRCReestablishment message, or an RRCReconfiguration message e.g. the Handover (HO) Command.

[0095] In one embodiment, a UE may receive one or more network-related SPN indications and based on those, it may present to the end user e.g., via display, one or more End User-related SPN indications.

[0096] In one option, End-User-related SPN indication(s) may provide instantaneous condition(s) of the network / RAN node towards which the UE is camped on I connected to, for example indicating whether the UE is camped on or connected to a network that is an SPN or the UE is camped on I connected to a cell / RAN node that belongs to a SPN, or any combination of being camped on I connected to cell / RAN node / network that belongs to (or is) an SPN or a non-SPN.

[0097] In another option, which may be combined with the preceding option, End User- related SPN indication(s) may provide statistical information collected by the UE while camped on I connected to a SPN, or to a cell / RAN node that belongs to an SPN or any combination of being camped on I connected to cell / RAN node / network that belongs to (or is) an SPN or a non-SPN.

[0098] Different formatting techniques and media and combination thereof may be used for presenting End-User-related SPN indications e.g., an image, a text, a sound, and may comprise one or more or a combination of the following indications:

[0099] • an indication in graphical format, e.g., a logo, or an icon, which indicates that the UE is serviced by or camped on, or connected to a network / RAN node / cell etc. powered, totally or partially, by green / renewable energy / power source e.g., indicated by an icon of a leaf, or a recycling loop, etc. such graphical or textual indication may be pushed by the network to the UE or provided on-demand.

[0100] In some variants, other colors for the icon may be used as well, to quantify the portion of sustainable or “green” energy that currently powers the RAN node. For example, a green color can correspond to more than 60%, a yellow color to 40-60%, an orange to 20-40% etc. Alternatively, different shades of green may be used. For example, light green for a high proportion of “green” energy (e.g. > 80%). Alternatively a graphical or textual indication e.g. , a logo or an icon, can be presented with increasing degree of filling or a decreasing degree of filling, or an increasing degree of emptying, or a decreasing degree of emptying, depending on the percentage of sustainable energy the network or the RAN node, or the cell makes use of or made use of, in a certain interval of time. For instance, a 50% filled icon / logo indicates a 50% use of sustainable energy.

[0101] • an indication which indicates that: the UE is camped on and / or connected to an SPN - or camped on I connected to a cell or a RAN node belonging to an SPN, or the UE is not camped on and / or connected to an SPN - or not camped on I connected to a cell or a RAN node belonging to an SPN, or the UE is camped on and / or connected to a non-SPN - or camped on I connected to a cell or a RAN node belonging to a non-SPN, or the UE is not camped on and / or connected to a non-SPN - or not camped on I connected to a cell or a RAN node belonging to a non-SPN

[0102] • an indication which indicates that the UE is camped on and / or connected to a SPN or a RAN node or a cell powered by a certain renewable source e.g., solar, wind, etc.

[0103] • an indication which indicates an amount of time or a percentage of time during which the UE was in one of the conditions indicated above e.g., camped on and / or connected to an SPN, to a RAN node or cell belonging to an SPN, to a certain renewable source, etc.

[0104] • an indication which indicates an amount of data or a percentage of data sent by the UE and / or received by the UE separately in uplink (UL) and downlink (DL), or sent and received by the UE i.e., aggregated in UL and DL while the UE was in one of the conditions indicated above e.g., camped on and / or connected to an SPN, to a RAN node or cell belonging to an SPN, to a certain renewable source, etc.

[0105] • an existing graphical indication adapted I modified to indicate that the UE is serviced by or camped on, or connected to a network / RAN node / cell etc. powered, totally or partially, by green / renewable / sustainable energy / power source(s). The modification can be for instance, in the color(s) used for the representation, in the contour(s), the edge(s), the border(s), the size e.g., magnified or reduced, or a combination thereof.

[0106] - As non-limiting example, a 5G icon or a 4G icon or a 6G icon may be used to indicate to the end-user that the UE is camped on or serviced by a 5G network I RAN node I cell or a 4G network I RAN node I cell, or a 6G network I RAN node I cell, and the icon is presented to the end user in a certain color e.g., a certain nuance of green where the color is associated to sustainable power source(s), as compared to the same 5G or 4G, or 6G icon that is presented to the end-user in another color e.g., white when the same 5G / 4G / 6G network I RAN node I cell is not powered by green / renewable / sustainable energy / power source(s).

[0107] In one embodiment, a UE, upon receiving one or more network-related SPN indications related to a first RAN node / cell / reference signal e.g., in a system information sent in broadcast by the network, the UE starts to present to the end-user one or more End-User-related SPN indications.

[0108] In one embodiment, a UE stops or updates End-User-related SPN indications presented upon receiving a second network-related SPN indications e.g., new or updated network-related SPN indications, sent to the UE by the same RAN node from which it received the first or preceding network-related SPN indication, or from another RAN node.

[0109] Embodiments related to the functional impact of user’s SPN-related preferences

[0110] According to some embodiments herein, the network node(s) serving a UE may consider user’s preferences to be served by SPN networks, nodes, or cells and / or it may consider the subscription data of the UE, when taking certain functional decisions pertaining to the UE. In one embodiment, the network may consider the abovementioned user’s preferences and subscription to take mobility-related decisions. For example, selecting the target for UE handover can be based on whether the target node network or cell is an SPN one or not.

[0111] In another embodiment, the RAN node serving the UE may select a node or a cell for full or partial offloading of the traffic of the UE, based on whether the node or the cell is an SPN one or not.

[0112] In another embodiment, activation of certain features may be steered by SPN- related preferences of the UE and the SPN properties of nodes or cells. For example, the network may establish dual connectivity for the UE only towards nodes or cells with the SPN property. In another example, the SPN property may steer selecting the radio access technology (RAT) to be used by the UE.

[0113] For a network node to execute the above, it may be needed that a network knows which other nodes and / or cells served by other nodes have the SPN properties. A node can obtain the knowledge of SPN properties of other nodes or cells by configuration e.g., by the OAM, by direct exchange of capabilities between network nodes, or by learning it from UE measurement reports.

[0114] Embodiments related to on-demand system information request based green / sustainable power / energy source of RAN node / site information acquisition

[0115] Network side embodiment:

[0116] In an embodiment the RAN node broadcasts the configuration required to acquire the system information including the energy source information e.g., whether the RAN node is fully or partially supplied by sustainable source of energies or not. The configuration may comprise the scheduling information of the energy source information broadcast by the RAN node assisting the UE to determine the system information acquisition window for the RAN node power / energy source. The configuration may also comprise:

[0117] • a dedicated preamble e.g. for energy source acquisition or

[0118] • information to be used to calculate the dedicated preamble index by the UE.

[0119] • Broadcast status i.e., whether the power / energy source information is currently broadcasted or not.

[0120] The power / energy source can be broadcasted separately e.g., power / energy source information of the node owning the serving cell as part of serving cell system information in System Information Block (SIB) SIB-1 or a dedicated SIB e.g., SIB-X, or in combination with other system information. For example, in an embodiment the power / energy source information of the neighbouring cells can be broadcasted as part of inter / intra frequency or inter / intra RAT neighbouring cells / nodes system information as part of SIB-2 / SIB-3 / SIB-4 of the current serving / camping cell of the UE.

[0121] UE side embodiment

[0122] Reading the on-demand system information broadcast configuration and scheduling information for the RAN energy source information.

[0123] Requesting the on-demand system information either based on

[0124] • transmitting a dedicated preamble calculated based on the configuration provided by the serving / camping cell, or

[0125] • transmitting a dedicated system information request message in connected state.

[0126] Performing acquisition of the power / energy source of the RAN node / site owning the serving / camping cell of the UE.

[0127] Using the acquired energy / power source system information for other UE side procedures e.g., IDLE mode or connected mode mobility operation.

[0128] According to some embodiments herein, before initiating the system information request procedure, the UE may verify whether the serving / camping cell is currently broadcasting the power / energy source of the RAN node owning the serving / camping cell or not. The UE may initiate the system information request procedure for the power / energy source information only if the system information is not currently broadcast by the serving / camping cell.

[0129] Aspects related to user subscription

[0130] The activation of some or all of the features described in the present disclosure may be depend on whether the user subscription allows it. Namely:

[0131] For the actions described herein that are initiated by the user e.g., the user expressing a preference towards SPN-cells, the network may fulfil user’s preference only if the user’s subscription allows it.

[0132] • For example, a user may be subscribed to a “sustainable” data plan that allows it to connect to sustainably powered networks / nodes / cells when available.

[0133] - The same applies for the actions described herein that are initiated by the network - if the user’s subscription allows it, the network will execute actions enabling the UE to be served by sustainably powered nodes / networks / cells.

[0134] Embodiments related to inter RAN node exchange of the type / nature / origin / source of the electrical power it is using In this embodiments, a first network node , e.g. a gNB or a gNB-Dll, may signal to a second network node e.g. a gNB-CU-CP or a neighbour gNB, information concerning whether the node or any of its served cells are part of an SPN. Such signalling may occur via any direct or indirect interface connecting first and second network node. Examples of how such signalling can be achieved are shown in the following section, taking the Xn interface as an example.

[0135] Upon receiving per node or per cell indications of whether the network node / cell(s) are part of an SPN, the second network node may carry out one or more of the following:

[0136] It may apply specific mobility offsets for mobility from its served cells to the cells / network nodes that belong to an SPN. Namely, the second network node may move the HO trigger point so to anticipate HOs towards RAN nodes / cells that are part of an SPN. This may be done to improve the energy efficiency of the network and to load cells / nodes that are part of an SPN more than those that are not part of an SPN. The latter implies that nodes / cells belonging to an SPN would consume more energy and as a consequence a higher portion of the energy consumed within the network will be “green”

[0137] It may apply specific policies for cell activation / deactivation, where cells that are part of an SPN or that are served by a network node that is part of an SPN are less likely to be deactivated. The latter implies that when cells are deactivated the portion of green power consumed within the network increases. As part of this policy, a second network node that wishes to deactivate a cell that is not part of an SPN may trigger offloading of the UEs served by the cell to be deactivated towards a cell or network node that is part of an SPN.

[0138] It may apply specific policies for cell shaping and coverage and capacity optimization, where cells served by a network node that belongs to an SPN or cells that belong to an SPN may be prioritized for cell expansion. In this embodiment, coordination of cell shapes between two neighbouring network nodes is required, so that the expansion of a cell in the first network node is followed by the contraction of another one or more cell in a second network node. Such mechanism is currently supported by signalling from the first network node to the second network node of information indicating that one or more cells of the first network node is going to be expanded. Such signalling may be enhanced to indicate that the cell that is changing shape and that is, e.g. expanding, is part of an SPN or is served by a node that is part of an PSN. With such enhancement, the second network node receiving the information that a cell that is part of an SPN or served by a RAN node that is part of an SPN is expanding will coordinate its served cell shapes changes in a way to contract those cells that are not part of an SPN, when possible.

[0139] By means of the embodiments above, the second network node may become aware of the cell identities, frequencies and bands where cells that belong to an SPN are deployed. The second network node may also be configured by the OAM system with information about more of such cells that are not in the second network node's neighbourhood. By means of this information, the second network node may set parameters to steer UEs to select / reselect cells that are part of an SPN network. Namely, the latter can occur without the network node to signal to the UE any information about whether certain cells are part of an SPN. The UE would therefore be unaware of why it is given configurations that would steer it towards specific cells / frequencies / bands. Nevertheless, the network would provide such policies to the UE so to steer traffic towards cells that are part of an SPN.

[0140] An example of implementation of parameter to identify an SPN is reported below, using new lEs in TS 38.331 :

[0141] - SPN-ldentity-info

[0142] — ASN1 START

[0143] — TAG-SPN-IDENTITY-START

[0144] SPN- 1 den ti ty- Info -rxx : : = _ SEQUENCE {

[0145] _ plmn-Id-rxx _ PLMN- 1 den ti ty, spn-Id-rxx _ BIT STRING (SIZE (32) ) , manualSPNselectionAllowed-rxx ENUMERATED {true} _ OPTIONAL

[0146] - Need R, }

[0147] — TAG-SPN-IDENTITY-STOP

[0148] — ASN1STOP

[0149] An example implementation of how a RAN node can signal to a different RAN node that the node is part of an SPN. A new IE “Sustainable Power Indication” is used. The Xn interface is taken as example: 9.1.3.1 XN SETUP REQUEST

[0150] This message is sent by a NG-RAN node to a neighbouring NG-RAN node to transfer application data for an Xn-C interface instance.

[0151] Direction: NG-RAN nodei -> NG-RAN node2.

[0152] An example implementation of how a RAN node can signal to a different RAN node that some of its cells are part of an SPN. A new IE “Sustainable Power Indication” is used. The Xn interface is taken as example:

[0153] 9.2.2.11 Served Cell Information NR

[0154] This IE contains cell configuration information of an NR cell that a neighbouring NG-RAN node may need for the Xn AP interface.

[0155] Figure 3 shows an example signal flow between the first and second network nodes

[0156] 211 , 212 for exchanging energy information. In Action 301 which is optional, the first network node 211 may receive a request for indicating its energy information from the second network node 212. That is the second network node 212 may request energy information from the first network node 211. In Action 302, the first network node 211 send energy information indicated by an indication to the second network node 212. The indication is an SPN related indication which may indicate the type / nature / origin / source of the electrical power the first network node 211 is using.

[0157] Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating an example embodiment of a method performed in a first network node 211 for optimizing energy using in a wireless communication network 200 according to embodiments herein.

[0158] According to embodiments described previously related to network side embodiment and inter RAN node exchange of the type / nature / origin / source of the electrical power it is using, a method performed by a first network node 211 for optimizing energy using in a wireless communication network 200 will be described with reference to Figure 4. The method comprises one or more of the following actions which may be performed in any suitable order.

[0159] Action 410

[0160] The first network node 211 may receive a request for indicating its energy information from one or more network nodes, e.g. the second network node 212, and / or from one or more user equipment (UEs).

[0161] Action 420

[0162] The first network node 211 sends an indication to one or more user equipment (UEs) and / or to one or more network nodes, e.g. the second network node 212, for enabling the one or more UEs and / or network nodes to obtain energy source information of the first network node 211 and optimize energy using based on the indication. The indication is a sustainable powered network (SPN) related indication. The SPN related indication may indicate a type, or a nature, or an origin, or a source of electrical power the first network node is using.

[0163] According to some embodiments herein, the SPN related indication may comprise one or more of the following indications or identifiers: a) indication(s) or identifier(s) indicating a network serving the UE(s) or to which the UE(s) is / are camped on, or towards which the UE(s) is / are connecting to, or towards which the UE(s) is / are connected to, is an SPN or a Non-SPN. b) indication(s) or identifier(s) indicating that a cell or RAN node serving the UE(s) or to which the UE(s) is / are camped on, or towards which the UE(s) is / are (re)-connecting to, or towards which the UE(s) is / are connected to, is a cell / RAN node that belongs to an SPN or belongs to a Non-SPN. c) indication(s) or identifier(s) indicating that the cell / RAN node serving the UE(s) or to which the UE(s) is / are camped on, or towards which the UE(s) is / are (re)-connecting to, or towards which the UE(s) is / are connected to, is a cell / RAN node that does not belong to an SPN or that does not belong to a Non-SPN . d) indication(s) or identifier(s) of one or more type(s), or nature(s), or origin(s), or source(s) of electrical power used by an SPN. e) indication(s) or identifier(s) of one or more type(s) I nature(s) I origin(s) I source(s) of the electrical power used by a Non-SPN. f) indication(s) or identifier(s) indicating that a specific set of random access channel (RACH) resources is associated to a cell that is part of an SPN or a Non-SPN.

[0164] According to some embodiments herein, the SPN related indication may comprise one or more of the following information:

[0165] • the type / nature / origin / source of the electric power used at time t by the first network node 211 ;

[0166] • the type / nature / origin / source of the electric power used at time t by some cells served by the first network node 211 ;

[0167] • the proportion of each type / nature / origin / source of energy the first network node 211 is relying on for its operation or to serve some of its served cells for a defined period of time;

[0168] • whether the first network node 211 is using or is able to use electrical power of different types / natures / origins / sources;

[0169] • whether the first network node 211 is using or is able to use electrical power of sustainable types / natures / origins / sources.

[0170] According to some embodiments herein, the SPN related indication may comprise any one or any combination of the following: a) a concatenation of an existing identifier of a network and an additional identifier indicating that a network is an SPN. b) an identifier indicating that a network is an SPN. c) an identifier indicating that a network is a non-SPN. d) an absence of an SPN identifier implicitly indicating that a network is non- SPN, e) another SPN-related indicator implicitly indicating that a network is non-SPN. f) an SPN identifier or part of an SPN identifier indicating whether a network is an SPN or a non-SPN. g) an SPN identifier or part of an SPN identifier indicating a specific type / nature / origin / source of electrical power that a network is using. h) a first identifier indicating that a network is an SPN network or is a non-SPN network, and a second identifier indicating one specific source of electrical power that a network is using.

[0171] According to some embodiments herein, the first network node 211 may broadcast the indication in an existing or a new system information or send the indication in a dedicated message or send the indication on-demand based on a request from one or more UEs, and / or from one or more neighbouring network nodes.

[0172] According to some embodiments herein, the first network node 211 may broadcast a configuration. The configuration may comprise one or more of the following:

[0173] • scheduling information of the SPN indication broadcasted by the first network node 211 ;

[0174] • a dedicated preamble of the SPN indication;

[0175] • information to be used to calculate the dedicated preamble index;

[0176] • broadcast status on whether the SPN indication is currently broadcasted or not.

[0177] According to some embodiments herein, the network node(s) serving a UE may consider user’s preferences to be served by SPN networks, nodes, or cells and / or it may consider the subscription data of the UE, when taking certain functional decisions pertaining to the UE. The method may further comprise the following actions.

[0178] Action 430

[0179] The first network node 211 may receive a preference indication from a UE (230) indicating its preference of connecting to or being served by a sustainable powered network, or a network node, or a cell belonging to a sustainable powered network.

[0180] Action 440

[0181] The first network node 211 may take certain decisions based on the preference indication received from a UE. For example, mobility-related decisions, e.g. selecting the target for UE handover can be based on whether the target node network or cell is an SPN one or not, or selecting a node or a cell for full or partial offloading of the traffic of the UE, based on whether the node or the cell is an SPN one or not, or activation of certain features may be steered by SPN-related preferences of the UE and the SPN properties of nodes or cells. For example, the network node may establish dual connectivity for the UE only towards nodes or cells with the SPN property. In another example, the SPN property may steer selecting the radio access technology (RAT) to be used by the UE.

[0182] Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating an example embodiment of a method performed by a second network node 212 according to embodiments herein.

[0183] According to embodiments described previously related to network side embodiment and inter RAN node exchange of the type / nature / origin / source of the electrical power it is using, a method performed by a second network node 212 for optimizing energy using in a wireless communication network 200 will be described with reference to Figure 5. The method comprises one or more of the following actions which may be performed in any suitable order.

[0184] Action 510

[0185] The second network node 212 receives an indication from a first network node 211. The indication is a sustainable powered network (SPN) related indication.

[0186] The SPN related indication may indicate one or more of the following information: a) whether the first network node 211 or cell(s) belong to the first network node 211 are part of an SPN; b) a type, or a nature, or an origin, or a source of electrical power the first network node 211 is using; c) a specific set of random access channel (RACH) resources is associated to a cell of the first network node 211 that is part of an SPN or a Non-SPN; d) the type / nature / origin / source of the electric power used at time t by the first network node 211 ; e) the type / nature / origin / source of the electric power used at time t by some cells served by the first network node 211 ; f) the proportion of each type / nature / origin / source of energy the first network node 211 is relying on for its operation or to serve some of its served cells for a defined period of time; g) whether the first network node 211 is using or is able to use electrical power of different types / natures / origins / sources; h) whether the first network node 211 is using or is able to use electrical power of sustainable types / natures / origins / sources.

[0187] According to some embodiments herein, the second network node 212 may receive, in Action 512, from a core network node or a UE, an SPN indication indicating cells that belong to an SPN that are not in the second network node's neighbourhood. According to some embodiments herein, the second network node 212 may receive, in Action 513, a preference indication from a UE 230 indicating its preference of connecting to a sustainable powered network, or a network node, or a cell belonging to a sustainable powered network from a core network node or a UE.

[0188] Action 520

[0189] The second network node 212 performs certain actions for optimizing energy using based on the SPN indication.

[0190] The second network node 212 may perform certain actions further based on the UE’s preference indication indicating its preference of connecting to a sustainable powered network, or a network node, or a cell belonging to a sustainable powered network.

[0191] According to some embodiments herein, the second network node 212 may perform one or more of the following actions:

[0192] Action 521: selecting a target network node for the UE to handover;

[0193] Action 522: activation of certain features for the UE;

[0194] Action 523: selecting radio access technology to be used by the UE.

[0195] According to some embodiments herein, the second network node 212 may perform one or more of the following actions:

[0196] Action 524: applying specific mobility offsets for mobility from its served cells to cells / network nodes that belong to an SPN;

[0197] Action 525: applying specific policies for cell activation / deactivation;

[0198] Action 526: applying specific policies for cell shaping and coverage and capacity optimization.

[0199] Figure 6 shows an example signal flow between the first network node 211 and a UE 230 for exchanging energy information . In Step 601 which is optional, the first network node 211 may receive a request for indicating its energy information from one or more UEs, e.g. UE 230. In Step 602, the first network node 211 sends energy information indicated by an indication to one or more UEs. The indication is an SPN related indication which may indicate the type / nature / origin / source of the electrical power the first network node 211 is using.

[0200] Figure 7 is a flow chart illustrating an example embodiment of a method performed in a UE 230 according to embodiments herein. According to embodiments described previously related to UE side embodiment, a method performed by a UE 230 for optimizing energy using in a wireless communication network 200 will be described with reference to Figure 7. The method comprises one or more of the following actions which may be performed in any suitable order.

[0201] Action 710

[0202] This Action is optional. The UE 230 may send a request to the first network node 211 requesting the SPN indication of the first network node 211 by transmitting a dedicated preamble calculated based on a configuration provided by the serving / camping cell of the first network node 211 or transmitting a dedicated system information request message in connected state.

[0203] Action 720

[0204] The UE 230 receive an indication from a first network node 211. The indication is a sustainable powered network (SPN) related indication.

[0205] The SPN related indication may indicate one or more of the following information: a) whether the first network node 211 or cell(s) belong to the first network node 211 are part of an SPN; b) a type, or a nature, or an origin, or a source of electrical power the first network node 211 is using; c) a specific set of random access channel (RACH) resources is associated to a cell of the first network node 211 that is part of an SPN or a Non-SPN; d) the type / nature / origin / source of the electric power used at time t by the first network node 211 ; e) the type / nature / origin / source of the electric power used at time t by some cells served by the first network node 211 ; f) the proportion of each type / nature / origin / source of energy the first network node 211 is relying on for its operation or to serve some of its served cells for a defined period of time; g) whether the first network node 211 is using or is able to use electrical power of different types / natures / origins / sources; h) whether the first network node 211 is using or is able to use electrical power of sustainable types / natures / origins / sources.

[0206] Action 730

[0207] The UE 230 performs certain actions for optimizing energy using based on the SPN indication. According to some embodiments herein, the UE 230 may, in Action 732, select a network or a network node or a cell based on the SPN indication.

[0208] In order to select a network or a network node or a cell, the UE 230 may, in Action 731 , receive from a network node one or more specific parameters to be used when evaluating a cell selection criterion.

[0209] The cell selection criterion may be extended or modified based on at least one of the parameters that is specific for sustainable powered networks or is derived considering at least one parameter that is specific for a sustainable powered network. The parameter that is specific for sustainable powered network may be configured with a granularity of a RAN node or with a granularity of a cell or with a granularity of a cell relation.

[0210] The cell selection criterion may be extended or modified by any one of the following:

[0211] • introducing a parameter specific for a network node that belongs to a sustainable powered network, or

[0212] • introducing a parameter specific for a cell in a network node that belongs to an sustainable powered network, or

[0213] • introducing a parameter specific for a network node that does not belong to an sustainable powered network but is neighbouring another network node that belongs to an sustainable powered network, or

[0214] • introducing a parameter specific for a network node that belongs to an sustainable powered network and is neighbouring another network node that does not belong to an sustainable powered network.

[0215] The specific parameter may be sent by broadcasting or via dedicated signalling.

[0216] The cell selection criterion may be modified by an offset associated to a cell in a sustainable powered network.

[0217] The Action 732 for selecting a network or a network node or a cell based on the SPN indication may be executed automatically or manually and may comprise one or more of the following actions:

[0218] Action 732a: receiving a request from a core network node.

[0219] Action 732b: searching available sustainable powered networks.

[0220] Action 732c: reporting the found sustainable powered networks to the core network.

[0221] Action 732d: receiving a request from a core network node for stopping reporting available sustainable powered networks.

[0222] Action 732e: stopping searching available sustainable powered networks.

[0223] Action 740 The UE 230 may receive from a network node a priority indication associated to sustainable powered network to be used when evaluating a cell selection or reselection criterion.

[0224] When the UE 230 receives from a network node the priority(ies) associated to the use of renewable energy sources, the UE 230 may decide to use it / them in all camping states or use it / them only when in certain camping state(s).

[0225] Action 750

[0226] The UE 230 may send a preference indication to a network node. The preference indication indicates its preference of connecting to a sustainable powered network, or a network node, or a cell belonging to a sustainable powered network.

[0227] Action 760

[0228] The UE 230 may present one or more End User-related SPN indications to user, e.g. on the UE display.

[0229] The one or more End User-related SPN indications may provide instantaneous condition(s) of the network or network node towards which the UE is camped on or connected to, or served by, indicating any one or a combination of the following information:

[0230] • whether the UE 230 is camped on, or connected to, or served by, a network that is an SPN;

[0231] • whether the UE 230 is camped on, or connected to, or served by, a cell or network node that is or belongs to a SPN or non-SPN.

[0232] The one or more End User-related SPN indications may provide statistical information collected by the UE 230 while camped on, or connected to, or served by, a SPN, or to a cell or network node that is or belongs to an SPN or a non-SPN, or any combination of being camped on, or connected to, or served by, a cell or network node or network that belongs to (or is) an SPN or a non-SPN.

[0233] To perform the methods in the first / second network nodes 211 / 212, the first / second network nodes 211 / 212 comprises modules as shown in Figure 8. The first / second / third network nodes 211 / 212 comprises a receiving module 810, a transmitting module 820, a determining module 830, a processing module 840, a memory 850 etc.

[0234] The first network node 211 is configured to perform any one of the Actions 410-420 described above. The following are some example embodiments.

[0235] The first network node 211 may be configured to, by e.g. the receiving module 810 being configured to, receive a request for indicating its energy information from one or more network nodes, e.g. the second network node 212, and / or from one or more user equipment, e.g. LIE230.

[0236] The first network node 211 is configured to, by e.g. the transmitting module 820 being configured to, send an indication to one or more user equipment (UEs) and / or to one or more network nodes, e.g. the second network node 212, for enabling the one or more UEs and / or network nodes to obtain energy source information of the first network node 211 and optimize energy using based on the indication. The indication is a sustainable powered network (SPN) related indication. The SPN related indication may indicate a type, or a nature, or an origin, or a source of electrical power the first network node is using.

[0237] The second network node 212 is configured to perform any one of the Actions 510- 520 described above. The following are some example embodiments.

[0238] The second network node 212 is configured to, by e.g. the receiving module 810 being configured to, receive an indication from a first network node 211. The indication is a sustainable powered network (SPN) related indication.

[0239] The second network node 212 is configured to, by e.g. the determining module 830 and / or processing module 840 being configured to, perform certain actions for optimizing energy using based on the SPN indication.

[0240] The second network node 212 may perform certain actions further based on a UE’s preference indication indicating its preference of connecting to a sustainable powered network, or a network node, or a cell belonging to a sustainable powered network.

[0241] The methods according to embodiments herein may be implemented through one or more processors, such as the processor 860 in the first / second network nodes 211 / 212 together with computer program code for performing the functions and actions of the embodiments herein. The program code mentioned above may also be provided as a computer program product, for instance in the form of computer readable medium or a data carrier 880 carrying computer program code 870, as shown in Figure 8, for performing the embodiments herein when being loaded into the first / second network nodes 211 / 212. One such carrier may be in the form of a CD ROM disc. It is however feasible with other data carriers such as a memory stick. The computer program code may furthermore be provided as pure program code on a server or a cloud and downloaded to the first / second network nodes 211 / 212. To perform the methods in the UE 230, the UE 230 comprises modules as shown in Figure 9. The UE 230 comprises a receiving module 910, a transmitting module 920, a determining module 930, a processing module 940, a memory 950 etc.

[0242] The UE 230 is configured to perform any one of the Actions 710-760 described above. The following are some example embodiments.

[0243] The UE 230 may be configured to, by e.g. the transmitting module 920 being configured to, send a request to the first network node 211 requesting the SPN indication of the first network node 211 by transmitting a dedicated preamble calculated based on a configuration provided by the serving / camping cell of the first network node 211 or transmitting a dedicated system information request message in connected state.

[0244] The UE 230 is configured to, by e.g. the receiving module 910 being configured to, receive an indication from a first network node 211. The indication is a sustainable powered network (SPN) related indication.

[0245] The UE 230 is configured to, by e.g. the determining module 930 and / or the processing module 940 being configured to, perform certain actions for optimizing energy using based on the SPN indication. For example, the UE 230 may be configured to select a network or a network node or a cell based on the SPN indication.

[0246] The methods according to embodiments herein may be implemented through one or more processors, such as the processor 960 in the UE 230 together with computer program code for performing the functions and actions of the embodiments herein. The program code mentioned above may also be provided as a computer program product, for instance in the form of computer readable medium or a data carrier 980 carrying computer program code 970, as shown in Figure 9, for performing the embodiments herein when being loaded into the UE 230. One such carrier may be in the form of a CD ROM disc. It is however feasible with other data carriers such as a memory stick. The computer program code may furthermore be provided as pure program code on a server or a cloud and downloaded to the UE 230.

[0247] As used herein, the term “processing module” may refer to a processing circuit, a processing unit, a processor, an Application Specific integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field- Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or the like. As an example, a processor, an ASIC, an FPGA or the like may comprise one or more processor kernels. In some examples, the processing module may be embodied by a software module or hardware module. Any such module may be a determining means, estimating means, capturing means, associating means, comparing means, identification means, selecting means, receiving means, transmitting means or the like as disclosed herein. As an example, the expression “means” may be a module, such as a determining module, selecting module, etc.

[0248] As used herein, the expression “configured to” may mean that a processing circuit is configured to, or adapted to, by means of software configuration and / or hardware configuration, perform one or more of the actions described herein.

[0249] As used herein, the term “memory” may refer to a hard disk, a magnetic storage medium, a portable computer diskette or disc, flash memory, random access memory (RAM) or the like. Furthermore, the term “memory” may refer to an internal register memory of a processor or the like.

[0250] As used herein, the term “computer readable medium” may be a Universal Serial Bus (USB) memory, a DVD-disc, a Blu-ray disc, a software module that is received as a stream of data, a Flash memory, a hard drive, a memory card, such as a Memory Stick, a Multimedia Card (MMC), etc.

[0251] It will be appreciated that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings represent non-limiting examples of the methods and apparatus taught herein. As such, the apparatus and techniques taught herein are not limited by the foregoing description and accompanying drawings.

[0252] Some example embodiments are listed in the following:

[0253] Embodiment 1 : A method performed in a first network node 211 for optimizing energy using in a wireless communication network 200, the method comprising: sending (420) an indication to one or more user equipment, UEs, and / or to one or more network nodes 212 for enabling the one or more UEs and / or network nodes to obtain energy source information of the first network node 211 and optimize energy using based on the indication, wherein the indication is a sustainable powered network, SPN, related indication.

[0254] Embodiment 2: The method according to Embodiment 1 , wherein the SPN related indication comprises one or more of: a) indication(s) or identifier(s) indicating a network serving the UE(s) or to which the UE(s) is / are camped on, or towards which the UE(s) is / are connecting to, or towards which the UE(s) is / are connected to, is an SPN or a Non-SPN. b) indication(s) or identifier(s) indicating that a cell or RAN node serving the UE(s) or to which the UE(s) is / are camped on, or towards which the UE(s) is / are (re)-connecting to, or towards which the UE(s) is / are connected to, is a cell / RAN node that belongs to an SPN or belongs to a Non-SPN. c) indication(s) or identifier(s) indicating that the cell / RAN node serving the UE(s) or to which the UE(s) is / are camped on, or towards which the UE(s) is / are (re)-connecting to, or towards which the UE(s) is / are connected to, is a cell / RAN node that does not belong to an SPN or that does not belong to a Non-SPN. d) indication(s) or identifier(s) of one or more type(s), or nature(s), or origin(s), or source(s) of electrical power used by an SPN. e) indication(s) or identifier(s) of one or more type(s) I nature(s) I origin(s) I source(s) of the electrical power used by a Non-SPN. f) indication(s) or identifier(s) indicating that a specific set of random access channel, RACH, resources is associated to a cell that is part of an SPN or a Non-SPN.

[0255] Embodiment 3: The method according to any one of Embodiments 1-2, wherein first network node 211 , prior to sending energy information indicated by the SPN related indication of the first network node, receives (410) a request to obtain energy information from one or more user equipment (UEs) 230 and / or from one or more network nodes 212.

[0256] Embodiment 4: The method according to any one of Embodiments 1-3, wherein the SPN related indication indicates a type, or a nature, or an origin, or a source of electrical power the first network node is using.

[0257] Embodiment 5: The method according to any one of Embodiments 1-4, wherein the SPN related indication comprises one or more of the following information: a) the type / nature / origin / source of the electric power used at time t by the first network node; b) the type / nature / origin / source of the electric power used at time t by some cells served by the first network node; c) the proportion of each type / nature / origin / source of energy the first network node is relying on for its operation or to serve some of its served cells for a defined period of time; d) whether the first network node is using or is able to use electrical power of different types / natures / origins / sources; e) whether the first network node is using or is able to use electrical power of sustainable types / natures / origins / sources.

[0258] Embodiment 6: The method according to any one of Embodiments 1-5, wherein sending (401) an indication to one or more UEs 230 is performed by broadcasting the indication in an existing or a new system information or sending the indication in a dedicated message or sending the indication on-demand based on a request from the one or more UEs 230, and / or from one or more neighbouring network nodes.

[0259] Embodiment 7: The method according to Embodiment 6, wherein broadcasting the indication in an existing or a new system information comprises broadcasting a configuration, wherein the configuration comprises one or more of the following: a) scheduling information of the SPN indication broadcasted by the first network node; b) a dedicated preamble of the SPN indication; c) information to be used to calculate the dedicated preamble index; d) broadcast status on whether the SPN indication is currently broadcasted or not.

[0260] Embodiment 8: A method performed in a second network node 212 for optimizing energy using in a wireless communication network 200, the method comprising: receiving (510) an indication from a first network node 211, wherein the indication is a sustainable powered network, SPN, related indication; performing (520) certain actions for optimizing energy using based on the SPN indication.

[0261] Embodiment 9: The method according to Embodiment 8, wherein the SPN related indication indicates one or more of the following: a) whether the first network node or cell(s) belong to the first network node 211 are part of an SPN; b) a type, or a nature, or an origin, or a source of electrical power the first network node 211 is using; c) a specific set of random access channel (RACH) resources is associated to a cell of the first network node 211 that is part of an SPN or a Non-SPN; d) the type / nature / origin / source of the electric power used at time t by the first network node 211 ; e) the type / nature / origin / source of the electric power used at time t by some cells served by the first network node 211 ; f) the proportion of each type / nature / origin / source of energy the first network node 211 is relying on for its operation or to serve some of its served cells for a defined period of time; g) whether the first network node 211 is using or is able to use electrical power of different types / natures / origins / sources; h) whether the first network node 211 is using or is able to use electrical power of sustainable types / natures / origins / sources.

[0262] Embodiment 10: The method according to any one of Embodiments 8-9, wherein performing (520) certain actions is further based on a UE’s preference indication indicating its preference of connecting to or being served by a sustainable powered network, or a network node, or a cell belonging to a sustainable powered network.

[0263] Embodiment 11 : The method according to any one of Embodiments 8-10, further comprising receiving (530) from a core network node or a UE, an SPN indication indicating cells that belong to an SPN that are not in the second network node's neighbourhood.

[0264] Embodiment 12: The method according to any one of Embodiments 8-11 , wherein performing certain actions based on the SPN indication and / or UE’s preference indication comprises one or more of the following: selecting (521) a target network node for the UE to handover; activation (522) of certain features for the UE; selecting (523) radio access technology to be used by the UE.

[0265] Embodiment 13: The method according to any one of Embodiments 8-12, wherein performing certain actions based on the SPN indication comprises one or more of the following: applying (524) specific mobility offsets for mobility from its served cells to cells / network nodes that belong to an SPN; applying (525) specific policies for cell activation / deactivation; applying (526) specific policies for cell shaping and coverage and capacity optimization.

[0266] Embodiment 14: A method performed in a user equipment UE 230, for optimizing energy using in a wireless communication network 200, the method comprising: receiving (720) an indication from a first network node 211, wherein the indication is a sustainable powered network, SPN, related indication; performing (730) certain actions for optimizing energy using based on the SPN indication.

[0267] Embodiment 15: The method according to Embodiment 14, wherein the SPN related indication indicates one or more of the following: a) whether the first network node or cell(s) belong to the first network node are part of an SPN; b) a type, or a nature, or an origin, or a source of electrical power the first network node is using; c) a specific set of random access channel, RACH, resources is associated to a cell of the first network node that is part of an SPN or a Non-SPN; d) the type / nature / origin / source of the electric power used at time t by the first network node; e) the type / nature / origin / source of the electric power used at time t by some cells served by the first network node; f) the proportion of each type / nature / origin / source of energy the first network node is relying on for its operation or to serve some of its served cells for a defined period of time; g) whether the first network node is using or is able to use electrical power of different types / natures / origins / sources; h) whether the first network node is using or is able to use electrical power of sustainable types / natures / origins / sources.

[0268] Embodiment 16: The method according to any one of Embodiments 14-15, further comprising sending (710) a request to the first network node 211 requesting the SPN indication of the first network node 211 by transmitting a dedicated preamble calculated based on a configuration provided by the serving / camping cell of the first network node 211 or transmitting a dedicated system information request message in connected state.

[0269] Embodiment 17: The method according to any one of Embodiments 14-16, wherein performing certain actions for optimizing energy using based on the SPN indication comprises: selecting (732) a network or a network node or a cell based on the SPN indication.

[0270] Embodiment 18: The method according to Embodiment 17, further comprising receiving (731) from a network node one or more specific parameters to be used when evaluating a cell selection criterion.

[0271] Embodiment 19: The method according to Embodiment 18, wherein the cell selection criterion is extended or modified based on at least one of the parameters that is specific for sustainable powered networks or is derived considering at least one parameter that is specific for a sustainable powered network.

[0272] Embodiment 20: The method according to Embodiment 19, wherein the parameter that is specific for sustainable powered network is configured with a granularity of a RAN node or with a granularity of a cell or with a granularity of a cell relation.

[0273] Embodiment 21 : The method according to Embodiment 19, wherein the cell selection criterion is extended or modified by: introducing a parameter specific for a network node that belongs to a sustainable powered network, or introducing a parameter specific for a cell in a network node that belongs to a sustainable powered network, or introducing a parameter specific for a network node that does not belong to a sustainable powered network but is neighbouring another network node that belongs to a sustainable powered network, or introducing a parameter specific for a network node that belongs to a sustainable powered network and is neighbouring another network node that does not belong to a sustainable powered network.

[0274] Embodiment 22: The method according to any one of Embodiments 18-21, wherein the specific parameter is sent by broadcasting or via dedicated signalling.

[0275] Embodiment 23: The method according to Embodiment 18, wherein the cell selection criterion is modified by an offset associated to a cell in a sustainable powered network.

[0276] Embodiment 24: The method according to Embodiment 18, further comprising receiving (740) from a network node a priority indication associated to sustainable powered network to be used when evaluating a cell selection or reselection criterion.

[0277] Embodiment 25: The method according to Embodiment 24, wherein when the UE 230 receives from a network node priority(ies) associated to the use of renewable energy sources, the UE 230 decides to use it / them in all camping states or use it / them only when in certain camping state(s).

[0278] Embodiment 26: The method according to any one of Embodiments 17-25, wherein selecting a network or a network node or a cell based on the SPN indication is executed automatically and comprises: receiving a request from a core network node; searching available sustainable powered networks; reporting the found sustainable powered networks to the core network.

[0279] Embodiment 27: The method according to any one of Embodiments 17-25, wherein selecting a network or a network node or a cell based on the SPN indication is executed manually and comprises: receiving a request from a core network node for reporting available sustainable powered networks; searching available sustainable powered networks; reporting the found sustainable powered networks to the core network; receiving a request from a core network node for stopping reporting available sustainable powered networks; stopping searching available sustainable powered networks.

[0280] Embodiment 28: The method according to any one of Embodiments 17-27, further comprising: sending (750) a preference indication to a network node, wherein the preference indication indicates its preference of connecting to, or being served by a sustainable powered network, or a network node, or a cell belonging to a sustainable powered network.

[0281] Embodiment 29: The method according to any one of Embodiments 17-28, further comprising: presenting (760) one or more End User-related SPN indications to the end user.

[0282] Embodiment 30: The method according to Embodiment 29, wherein the one or more End User-related SPN indications are presented on a display of the UE.

[0283] Embodiment 31 : The method according to any one of Embodiments 29 -30, wherein the one or more End User-related SPN indications provide instantaneous condition(s) of the network or network node towards which the UE is camped on or connected to, or served by, indicating any one or a combination of: whether the UE is camped on or connected to, or served by, a network that is an SPN; whether the UE is camped on or connected to, or served by, a cell or network node that is or belongs to a SPN or non-SPN;

[0284] Embodiment 32: The method according to any one of Embodiments 29-30, wherein the one or more End User-related SPN indications provide statistical information collected by the UE while camped on, or connected to, or served by, a SPN, or to a cell or network node that is or belongs to an SPN or a non-SPN, or any combination of being camped on, or connected to, or served by, a cell or network node or network that belongs to (or is) an SPN or a non-SPN. Embodiment 33: The method according to any one of Embodiments 1-32, wherein the SPN related indication comprises any one or any combination of the following: a concatenation of an existing identifier of a network and an additional identifier indicating that a network is an SPN. an identifier indicating that a network is an SPN. an identifier indicating that a network is a non-SPN. an absence of an SPN identifier implicitly indicating that a network is non- SPN, another SPN-related indicator implicitly indicating that a network is non-SPN. an SPN identifier or part of an SPN identifier indicating whether a network is an SPN or a non-SPN. an SPN identifier or part of an SPN identifier indicating a specific type / nature / origin / source of electrical power that a network is using. a first identifier indicating that a network is an SPN network or is a non-SPN network, and a second identifier indicating one specific source of electrical power that a network is using.

Claims

Claims1. A method performed in a first network node (211) for indicating energy source information in a wireless communication network (200), the method comprising: sending (420) an indication to at least one of a user equipment, UE (230, 231) and a second network node (212), wherein the indication is a sustainable powered network, SPN, related indication for enabling at least one of: a. the UE (230, 231) to obtain energy source information of the first network node (211); b. the second network node (212) to obtain energy source information of the first network node (211).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the SPN related indication comprises one or more of the following indications or identifiers: a) indication(s) or identifier(s) indicating a network serving the UE(s) (230, 231) to which the UE(s) (230, 231) is / are camped on, or towards which the UE(s) (230, 231) is / are connecting to, or towards which the UE(s) (230, 231) is / are connected to, is an SPN or a Non-SPN. b) indication(s) or identifier(s) indicating that a cell or RAN node serving the UE(s) (230, 231) or to which the UE(s) (230, 231) is / are camped on, or towards which the UE(s) (230, 231) is / are (re)-connecting to, or towards which the UE(s) (230, 231) is / are connected to, is a cell / RAN node that belongs to an SPN or that belongs to a Non-SPN. c) indication(s) or identifier(s) indicating that the cell / RAN node serving the UE(s) (230, 231) or to which the UE(s) (230, 231) is / are camped on, or towards which the UE(s) (230, 231) is / are (re)-connecting to, or towards which the UE(s) (230, 231) is / are connected to, is a cell / RAN node that does not belong to an SPN or that does not belong to a Non-SPN. d) indication(s) or identifier(s) of one or more type(s), or nature(s), or origin(s), or source(s) of electrical power used by an SPN. e) indication(s) or identifier(s) of one or more type(s) I nature(s) I origin(s) I source(s) of the electrical power used by a Non-SPN. f) indication(s) or identifier(s) indicating that a specific set of random access channel, RACH, resources is associated to a cell that is part of an SPN or a Non-SPN.

3. The method according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein the SPN related indication indicates a type, or a nature, or an origin, or a source of electrical power the first network node (211) is using.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the SPN related indication comprises one or more of the following information: a) the type / nature / origin / source of the electric power used at time t by the first network node (211); b) the type / nature / origin / source of the electric power used at time t by some cells served by the first network node (211); c) the proportion of each type / nature / origin / source of energy the first network node (211) is relying on for its operation or to serve some of its served cells for a defined period of time; d) whether the first network node (211) is using or is able to use electrical power of different types / natures / origins / sources; e) whether the first network node (211) is using or is able to use electrical power of sustainable types / natures / origins / sources.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein sending (420) an indication is performed by broadcasting the indication in an existing or a new system information or sending the indication in a dedicated message or sending the indication on-demand based on a request from at least one of a UE (230, 231) and a neighbouring network node.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein broadcasting the indication in an existing or a new system information comprises broadcasting a configuration, wherein the configuration comprises one or more of the following: a) scheduling information of the SPN indication broadcasted by the first network node (211); b) a dedicated preamble of the SPN indication; c) information to be used to calculate the dedicated preamble index; d) broadcast status on whether the SPN indication is currently broadcasted or not.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, further comprising: receiving (430) a preference indication from a UE (230) indicating its preference of connecting to or being served by a sustainable powered network, or a network node, or a cell belonging to a sustainable powered network; and taking (440) certain decision based on the preference indication received from the UE (230).

8. A method performed in a second network node (212) for optimizing energy using in a wireless communication network (200), the method comprising: receiving (510) an indication from a first network node (211), wherein the indication is a sustainable powered network, SPN, related indication; performing (520) certain actions for optimizing energy using based on the SPN indication.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the SPN related indication indicates one or more of the following: a) whether the first network node (211) or cell(s) belong to the first network node (211) are part of an SPN; b) a type, or a nature, or an origin, or a source of electrical power the first network node (211) is using; c) a specific set of random access channel, RACH, resources is associated to a cell of the first network node (211) that is part of an SPN or a Non-SPN; d) the type / nature / origin / source of the electric power used at time t by the first network node (211); e) the type / nature / origin / source of the electric power used at time t by some cells served by the first network node (211); f) the proportion of each type / nature / origin / source of energy the first network node (211) is relying on for its operation or to serve some of its served cells for a defined period of time; g) whether the first network node (211) is using or is able to use electrical power of different types / natures / origins / sources; h) whether the first network node (211) is using or is able to use electrical power of sustainable types / natures / origins / sources.

10. The method according to any one of claims 8-9, further comprising receiving (513) a preference indication from a UE (230) indicating its preference of connecting to or being served by a sustainable powered network, or a network node, or a cell belonging to a sustainable powered network.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein performing (520) certain actions is further based on the UE’s preference indication indicating its preference of connecting to or being served by a sustainable powered network, or a network node, or a cell belonging to a sustainable powered network.

12. The method according to any one of claims 8-11 , further comprising receiving (512) from a core network node or a UE (230), an SPN indication indicating cells that belong to an SPN that are not in the second network node's neighbourhood.

13. The method according to any one of claims 8-12, wherein performing (520) certain actions based on the SPN indication comprises one or more of the following: selecting (521) a target network node for the UE (230) to handover; activation (522) of certain features for the UE (230); selecting (523) radio access technology to be used by the UE (230).

14. The method according to any one of claims 8-12, wherein performing (520) certain actions based on the SPN indication comprises one or more of the following: applying (524) specific mobility offsets for mobility from its served cells to cells / network nodes that belong to an SPN; applying (525) specific policies for cell activation / deactivation; applying (526) specific policies for cell shaping and coverage and capacity optimization.

15. A method performed in a user equipment, UE (230), for optimizing energy using in a wireless communication network (200), the method comprising: receiving (720) an indication from a first network node (211), wherein the indication is a sustainable powered network, SPN, related indication; performing (730) certain actions for optimizing energy using based on theSPN indication.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the SPN related indication indicates one or more of the following: a) whether the first network node (211) or cell(s) belong to the first network node (211) are part of an SPN; b) a type, or a nature, or an origin, or a source of electrical power the first network node (211) is using; c) a specific set of random access channel, RACH, resources is associated to a cell of the first network node (211) that is part of an SPN or a Non-SPN; d) the type / nature / origin / source of the electric power used at time t by the first network node (211); e) the type / nature / origin / source of the electric power used at time t by some cells served by the first network node (211); f) the proportion of each type / nature / origin / source of energy the first network node (211) is relying on for its operation or to serve some of its served cells for a defined period of time; g) whether the first network node (211) is using or is able to use electrical power of different types / natures / origins / sources; h) whether the first network node (211) is using or is able to use electrical power of sustainable types / natures / origins / sources.

17. The method according to any one of claims 15-16, further comprising: sending (710) a request to the first network node (211) requesting the SPN indication of the first network node (211) by transmitting a dedicated preamble calculated based on a configuration provided by the serving / camping cell of the first network node (211) or transmitting a dedicated system information request message in connected state.

18. The method according to any one of claims 15-17, wherein performing (730) certain actions for optimizing energy using based on the SPN indication comprises: selecting (732) a network or a network node or a cell based on the SPN indication.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising:receiving (731) from a network node one or more specific parameters to be used when evaluating a cell selection criterion.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the cell selection criterion is extended or modified based on at least one of the parameters that is specific for sustainable powered networks or is derived considering at least one parameter that is specific for a sustainable powered network.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the parameter that is specific for sustainable powered network is configured with a granularity of a RAN node or with a granularity of a cell or with a granularity of a cell relation.

22. The method according to claim 19, wherein the cell selection criterion is extended or modified by: a) introducing a parameter specific for a network node that belongs to a sustainable powered network, or b) introducing a parameter specific for a cell in a network node that belongs to an sustainable powered network, or c) introducing a parameter specific for a network node that does not belong to an sustainable powered network but is neighbouring another network node that belongs to an sustainable powered network, or d) introducing a parameter specific for a network node that belongs to an sustainable powered network and is neighbouring another network node that does not belong to an sustainable powered network.

23. The method according to any one of claims 19-22, wherein the one or more specific parameters is / are sent by broadcasting or via dedicated signalling.

24. The method according to claim 19, wherein the cell selection criterion is modified by an offset associated to a cell in a sustainable powered network.

25. The method according to claim 19, further comprising: receiving (740) from a network node a priority(ies) associated to sustainable powered network and / or associated to the use of renewable energy sources to be used when evaluating a cell selection or reselection criterion.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein when the UE (230) receives from a network node the priority(ies) associated to sustainable powered network and / or associated to the use of renewable energy sources, the UE (230) decides to use it / them in all camping states or use it / them only when in certain camping state(s).

27. The method according to any one of claims 18-26, wherein selecting (732) a network or a network node or a cell based on the SPN indication is executed automatically or manually and comprises one or more of the following: receiving (732a) a request from a core network node; searching (732b) available sustainable powered networks; reporting (732c) the found sustainable powered networks to the core network. receiving (732d) a request from a core network node for stopping reporting available sustainable powered networks; stopping (732e) searching available sustainable powered networks.

28. The method according to any one of claims 18-27, further comprising: sending (750) a preference indication to a network node, wherein the preference indication indicates its preference of connecting to a sustainable powered network, or a network node, or a cell belonging to a sustainable powered network.

29. The method according to any one of claims 18-28, further comprising: presenting (760) one or more End User-related SPN indications to user.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the one or more End User-relatedSPN indications provide instantaneous condition(s) of the network or network node towards which the UE (230) is camped on or connected to, or served by, indicating any one or a combination of: whether the UE (230) is camped on or connected to, or served by a network that is an SPN; whether the UE (230) is camped on or connected to, or served by a cell or network node that is or belongs to a SPN or non-SPN;31. The method according to claim 29, wherein the one or more End User-related SPN indications provide statistical information collected by the UE while camped on or connected to, or served by a SPN, or to a cell or network node that is or belongs to an SPN or a non-SPN, or any combination of being camped on or connected to or served by a cell or network node or network that belongs to (or is) an SPN or a non-SPN.

32. The method according to any one of claims 1-31, wherein the SPN related indication comprises any one or any combination of the following: a) a concatenation of an existing identifier of a network and an additional identifier indicating that a network is an SPN. b) an identifier indicating that a network is an SPN. c) an identifier indicating that a network is a non-SPN. d) an absence of an SPN identifier implicitly indicating that a network is non-SPN, e) another SPN-related indicator implicitly indicating that a network is non- SPN. f) an SPN identifier or part of an SPN identifier indicating whether a network is an SPN or a non-SPN. g) an SPN identifier or part of an SPN identifier indicating a specific type / nature / origin / source of electrical power that a network is using. h) a first identifier indicating that a network is an SPN network or is a non- SPN network, and a second identifier indicating one specific source of electrical power that a network is using.

33. A first network node (211) configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-7.

34. A second network node (212) configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 8-14.

35. A user equipment (230) configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 15-32.

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