5G base stations, when contrasted to standard 4G base stations, consume more power, work harder, and cover larger areas, which together put a greater emphasis on the performance and capacity of backup batteries. Therefore, what should be the configuration of lithium batteries for 5G base stations? What is the minimum capacity that can be regarded as enough?
Different base station types have varying requirements for battery capacity and performance.
5G macro base stations (urban macro base stations): Typically require a battery capacity of 20–50 kWh, with a continuous discharge current of 500A.
Urban small base stations: Power requirements are relatively low, typically 3–10 kWh, with a peak discharge current of approximately 150A.
5G base stations have extremely high temperature adaptability requirements. The primary difference in operating conditions for large and small base stations has led to new requirements for batteries. The temperatures for macro base stations must be between -20°C and 60°C and small base stations between -30°C and 55°C. This means that lithium batteries should not only deliver high energy density but also be equipped with superior temperature resistance and safety design. That is why Huijue Group applies the highest safety level lithium battery technology-based on LiFePO₄ (lithium iron phosphate), which significantly decreases the possibility of thermal runaway while still tapping into the energy density of the batteries thus supplying 5G base stations with the power even in very harsh conditions.
The 5G base station battery capacity is not a single number but rather an estimate depending on power needs and time of backup. The main formula calculation is as follows: Required Capacity (kWh) = Peak Power (kW) × Backup Time (h) ÷ Depth of Discharge (DoD) For instance: If the power consumption of a 5G macro base station reaches up to 5kW and it needs a backup power supply for 4 hours with a 90% DoD, the battery capacity will be：
5 × 4 ÷ 0.9 ≈ 22.2kWh
This is only a theoretical value; actual configuration needs to consider various factors:
Site Type and Power Consumption Differences: Macro base stations typically consume 15–25kW, while small base stations consume between 3–8kW.
Backup Time Requirement: Generally, it is 2–4 hours, with longer backup times required in remote areas or areas with unstable power grids. Depth of Discharge (DoD): Huijue LiFePO₄ batteries can support 80–90% DoD, effectively improving capacity utilization.
Temperature: High temperatures (above 35°C) reduce battery efficiency, requiring an additional 10–15% capacity reserve; low temperatures also affect discharge performance.
Future Scalability: Huijue's modular battery structure facilitates future capacity expansion and easily accommodates the growth of 5G traffic.
These factors jointly determine the ultimate configuration of lithium batteries for 5G base stations.
One of the most significant characteristics of 5G networks is the instantaneous high power demand. Active Antenna Units (AAUs) trip a surge in load at some point of durations of excessive traffic, requiring batteries to reply quickly.
C-rate (discharge rate) displays the relationship between a battery's discharge modern and its rated capacity. A excessive C-rate capacity the battery can supply a greater contemporary output in a quick duration of time.
5G macro base stations: Continuous discharge up to 500A;
Urban small base stations: Peak discharge up to 150A. Huijue's high-rate discharge LiFePO₄ batteries feature a low internal resistance and high-rate structure, enabling millisecond-level response to load changes, providing robust and stable power support for 5G base stations. This feature is particularly suitable for communications scenarios characterized by frequent power fluctuations and sudden load changes.
Faced with increasingly complex communications environments, power system reliability has become a key concern for operators. Huijue Group, leveraging over 20 years of experience in integrating communications power and energy storage systems, has developed a variety of professional battery solutions suitable for 5G base stations.
Core Advantages Include:
Advanced LFP Cell Technology: High safety, long life, and low internal resistance; Adaptability to different climates: Performance is stable in a temperature range of -30°C to 60°C; Modular and scalable design: Quick installation and capacity extension are possible; Intelligent BMS System: Monitoring of temperature, voltage, and current in real-time to guarantee system safety;
Global Project Verification: Proven application experience in communications, data centers, and critical energy infrastructure. Huijue's 5G base station lithium battery system not only meets the requirements of high power, long backup, and rapid response, but also provides operators with an intelligent, reliable, and future-oriented energy support platform.
The advent of the 5G era presents new challenges to the power supply system of communication base stations. A scientific and rational base station battery configuration not only ensures continuous network operation but also significantly reduces maintenance and energy costs.
Huijue Group will continue to deepen its investment in the energy storage and power supply fields, providing high-performance 5G base station lithium battery solutions to help global operators build more efficient and intelligent network infrastructure.
