Cost Efficiency Optimization for Multi-Cell Systems Powered by Micro-Grids

This paper investigates a multi-cell system powered by a micro-grid (MG), where the conventional generators (CGs), energy storage devices (ESDs) and renewable energy generators (REGs) are scheduled to supply electricity to base stations (BSs) at different prices respectively. Under this energy schedule model, we study the efficiency aspect of the MG-powered multi-cell systems from the economical perspective, and propose a new concept of efficiency, which is referred to as cost efficiency (CE). Specifically, we consider the ratio of the sum rate for all BSs to the total energy cost that the system spends in providing electricity for BSs. Assuming that the zero-forcing (ZF) beamforming scheme is employed by the BSs, our goal is to maximize the CE by jointly scheduling energy in the MG and allocating the transmit power at the BSs. We apply the Lagrange duality decomposition technique and Dinkelbach method to address the established CE optimization problem. Simulations are provided to validate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.