Eltek are one of the biggest names in energy for telecom applications having installed systems at over 10,000 sites. TowerXchange caught up with Eltek’s Managing Director of MEA, Miloud Abdelilah to get his take on where system design falls down and understand the role that Eltek is playing to improve cell site energy systems.
TowerXchange: Please can you reintroduce Eltek to TowerXchange’s readers, how extensively have your solutions been deployed in the African & Middle Eastern market?
Miloud Abdelilah, Managing Director, EMEA, Eltek:
Eltek has deployed more than 2000 Solar Autonomous Power Solutions and more than 5000 Hybrid Power Solutions for telecom operators and towercos in Africa and the Middle East.
TowerXchange: In terms of macro sites in poor or off-grid areas, what do you see as the common mistakes that are made in designing, commissioning and operating power equipment and what impact does this have on uptime and ROI?
Miloud Abdelilah, Managing Director, EMEA, Eltek:
Still many sites are operating on diesel generators 24/7 with all the negative impacts such as service cost, CO2 emissions and noise pollution. Some are using cyclic modes which are better but still this kind of solution remains far from the optimal solution as solar hybrid type of solution. Although it is the best solution so far, it still requires some attention in terms of site optimisation. Operators should work closely with power experts to design the most optimal solution in terms of cost of the solution, ROI and impact on the environment. Together, we can come out with an appropriate design matching the operator’s requirements. Many installed sites are having serious issues due to the “wrong” design due to the lack of clear requirements from the operator, under-design from the solution provider, choice of battery technology and lack of maintenance.
TowerXchange: How is Eltek positioned to be able to advise tower owners on the sort of system they should be deploying and what trends are you seeing in the industry?
Miloud Abdelilah, Managing Director, EMEA, Eltek:
With over 10,000 sites installed, we have a position as the most experienced supplier of alternative and green solutions. With MSM (Multi Site Monitoring) especially designed for use with solar hybrid solutions we can provide the best tool to ensure a maximum payback on the investment, looking at micro-grid opportunities and helping towercos track usage by their customers. In terms of trends that we are seeing, one key one is the use of outdoor type solutions and we are also seeing some towercos now going for Lithium batteries.
In terms of trends that we are seeing, one key one is the use of outdoor type solutions and we are also seeing some towercos now going for Lithium batteries
TowerXchange: We hear comments from MNOs and towercos that on a technology front there is little difference between suppliers, what do you think differentiates Eltek from others in the market?
Miloud Abdelilah, Managing Director, EMEA, Eltek:
Eltek bring a pure power focus with over 45 years’ experience in the field. Eltek with its Innova8 program is a leader in developing unique solutions such as MSM (Multi Site Monitoring), universal controllers, Rectiverter (Rectifier and Inverter in one) & Microgrid solutions.
TowerXchange: As more developed markets start to look at 5G and deploy small cells how do you see the energy requirements changing and what is Eltek doing to support this change?
Miloud Abdelilah, Managing Director, EMEA, Eltek:
We are in close dialogue with OEMs and operators and are being proactive in finding creative solutions. In our view, the main bulk of sites will remain as we have today with a large portion of macro sites. Whilst microsites will take some time to be used in Africa, Eltek already have solutions for micro & pico sites.
Eltek are sponsors of the 5th Annual TowerXchange Meetup Africa & Middle East, being held on 3-4 October at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg. For more information please click here.
