Network Slice Provisioning With Renewable Energy Feasibility Checks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 5G network slice provisioning systems do not adequately consider renewable energy usage, particularly in scenarios where renewable energy sources are variable and unpredictable, leading to a need for improved energy consumption monitoring and reporting to meet energy efficiency targets.
Innovation Solution
A method where a Network Slice Provider (NSP) receives a minimum renewable energy requirement from a Network Slice Consumer (NSC) and determines feasibility by utilizing data center energy consumption information, selecting appropriate data centers for Network Slice deployment to meet these targets, considering both renewable energy source and other criteria like QoS and capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the NSP monitors and reports energy consumption metrics for network slices, then energy efficiency and renewable energy usage can be tracked, but the system complexity increases due to additional monitoring and reporting mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The network management system integrates multiple functions into a single unified platform that handles both traditional network slice management and renewable energy monitoring. The system uses existing network management infrastructure to perform energy consumption tracking, avoiding the need for separate dedicated monitoring systems while still achieving comprehensive energy awareness across the network slice.
2Loss of energy
If the NSP determines feasibility of renewable energy targets before network slice provisioning, then energy efficiency targets can be met, but the provisioning process becomes more complex with additional feasibility checks
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs feasibility determination of renewable energy targets during the network slice provisioning process itself, rather than as a separate post-provisioning check. This preliminary action integrates energy target assessment into the initial slice configuration phase, allowing the NSP to evaluate whether selected network elements can meet the required renewable energy percentage before resources are allocated and slices are deployed.
3Loss of energy
If the NSP selects data centers based on renewable energy consumption information, then renewable energy targets can be achieved, but the selection process becomes more complex with additional criteria evaluation
Solution Approach 1:
The system modifies the traditional data center selection parameters by adding renewable energy consumption percentage as a new selection criterion. The NSP evaluates data centers not only based on traditional metrics like capacity and location but also incorporates their renewable energy usage patterns, allowing for multi-parameter optimization that balances network performance requirements with sustainability goals.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A Network Slice is configured by a Network Slice Provider (NSP) in a telecommunications network, in particular at a telecommunications network management system of the NSP. The NSP receives, as part of a service profile message from a Network Slice Consumer (NSC), an indication of a minimum amount of renewable energy to be used for realisation of the Network Slice. The NSP determines feasibility of the indicated minimum amount of renewable energy to realise the Network Slice, based on information of renewable energy consumption in respect of a plurality of data centres with which the Network Slice can be realised.