Sustainable Load Balancing for Wireless Networks With Renewable Energy Sources

TL;DR

This paper introduces an energy-aware load balancing algorithm for renewable-powered wireless networks, enhancing sustainability and performance during energy scarcity periods by integrating energy conditions into mobility management.

Contribution

It presents an enhanced Proactive-Reactive Load Balancing algorithm that incorporates energy status, optimizing traffic and energy use in renewable-powered wireless networks.

Findings

Improved energy sustainability in simulations.

Enhanced network performance during congestion.

Effective management during low renewable energy periods.

Abstract

Future wireless networks powered by renewable energy sources and storage systems (e.g., batteries) require energy-aware mechanisms to ensure stability in critical and high-demand scenarios. These include large-scale user gatherings, especially during evening hours when solar generation is unavailable, and days with poor wind conditions that limit the effectiveness of wind-based energy harvesting. Maintaining network performance under such constraints, while preserving stored energy, remains a key challenge. This work proposes an enhanced Proactive-Reactive Load Balancing algorithm that integrates energy conditions into mobility management. By leveraging standardized mobility events, the algorithm optimizes traffic distribution and energy utilization (avoiding complete drainage of stored energy), thereby preventing service degradation. Simulations show improved energy sustainability and network performance under congestion and limited solar availability.