Powering Telecom in Harsh, Off-grid Environments

Keeping off-grid telecom sites powered in remote and extreme environments isn’t just about battling the cold; it’s about anticipating the unknown and unpredictable. 

For this article, we interviewed HCI Energy’s field experts, Shane Coen, Customer Service & Generator Specialist, and Tim Mitchell, Field Service Specialist. They have worked through tough deployment challenges, navigating mountain-top terrain and brutal weather conditions.  

We also spoke with Mike Krawczyk, HCI Energy’s Director of Operations, about how HCI’s hybrid power solutions are engineered to withstand extreme conditions where traditional power systems fail. 

Before we dive into their experiences, let’s look at why traditional power systems struggle in these environments. 

Why Do Traditional Power Systems Fail in Extreme Environments?

Power systems in remote regions typically rely on diesel generators, solar panels, or battery banks for power. While these work well in moderate conditions, single-source power setups struggle in harsh, unpredictable environments: 

• Solar power can be unreliable in northern latitudes due to limited sunlight during winter and prolonged snow cover, which can reduce energy generation. 

• Batteries will not charge in freezing temperatures. 

• Diesel generators require frequent maintenance and costly refueling trips. In extreme cold, diesel fuel can gel and clog the filters, eventually leading to generator failure. 
  
  
• Without remote monitoring, diagnosing failures takes longer, leading to extended downtime. Technicians arrive unprepared, often lacking the right tools or parts—causing additional trips and delays in restoring power. 

So, what does it take to maintain reliable power where traditional systems would struggle or even fail altogether? 

Real-life Challenges: Field Insights from HCI Energy’s Team 

HCI’s field team members, Tim Mitchell and Shane Coen, have firsthand experience working in some of the most remote and unpredictable locations.  

From mountain-top terrain and sudden weather shifts to accessibility challenges, they’ve faced conditions that push even the most advanced power systems to their limits.  
 
Here’s what they’ve encountered and why reliable, multi-source power solutions are critical in these environments.  

1. Harsh Winter Conditions

Winter weather creates unpredictable obstacles that can slow down even veteran service teams.

"The type of snow we encounter can completely change how we work," Tim shares about a recent trip. "I once sank to my chest in five feet of snow and had to be pulled out by my team." 

Once on-site, the cold creates additional challenges for routine maintenance. Tim says freezing temperatures require technicians to work extra cautiously, as thick gloves can limit dexterity. Yet, exposure to the cold for too long can also make repairs difficult. 

To safely operate in these environments, HCI’s field teams undergo rigorous helicopter and mountain-top safety training, including working with avalanche specialists to ensure best safety practices. 

Cold weather also complicates fuel logistics, even when fuel is available, leading to an increase in unexpected failures. Sites that rely on a single fuel source are particularly vulnerable in remote locations.  

“Many remote mountain sites rely solely on propane generators for power,”  says Tim. “If an issue arises—such as frozen propane lines or restricted fuel flow—the site can experience a complete power loss if the problem is not resolved quickly.  

2. Wild Terrain & Accessibility Issues
   
   
   
   Accessing remote sites can also be tricky to navigate.  

"Some of our mountaintop sites sit at [an elevation of] over 9,500 feet, with no road access, helicopter transport is the only viable option," says Tim. "In the summer, the only way down [without a helicopter] is a six-to-eight-hour hike through rugged terrain. In winter, which is not even an option.” 

Accessing these remote sites is not just difficult; it also takes skillful planning and execution. 

"On one site, we had to tie [ourselves] off with ropes just to reach the shelter because of deep snow and steep slopes. One wrong step, and you could slip right off the mountain,”  Shane shared.  

And when conditions change suddenly, alternative plans may be required!  

"One summer, the weather took a sudden turn for the worse, and we had to hike halfway down the mountain to catch a helicopter," recalls Shane. "Everything was wet and slippery, with cliffs on either side; you really had to watch your step.” 

3. Infrastructure Damage

Freezing temperatures can often affect system components. 

"Cold temperatures can cause door locks, padlocks, and mechanical mechanisms to freeze. We have used heat guns and torches to thaw these pieces in the past,” Tim explained. 

Ice buildup and temperature shifts also create unpredictable hazards.  

"[On another site], as it warmed up, sheets of ice started falling from the tower and guy wires while we were working,"  Shane explained. "We had to take cover inside our power shelter to avoid getting hit. One chunk of ice cracked the windshield of our truck." 

Extreme winds put infrastructure to the test.  

“Our highest site sits at 9,500 feet, where conditions can be extreme," Tim shared. "With wind speeds exceeding 200 mph, the site’s solar panel array faced intense exposure. While the structure remained intact, we reinforced the panels with additional bracing to enhance stability against these extreme conditions."

These real-world challenges illustrate a simple truth: bringing power to these off-grid environments requires a durable system and a skilled team.  

A More Reliable Solution for Powering Remote Sites 

The harsh realities of remote deployments demand a power system designed for resilience. Traditional single-source power setups often leave sites vulnerable, as one failure can take down an entire system.  

As Tim shared, “In [single-source power] cases, accessibility becomes a critical concern. A technician must be dispatched to diagnose and restore operations, but severe weather conditions [in these remote regions] often make site access a 50/50 proposition. This unpredictability underscores the need for proactive planning.” 

HCI Energy’s Hybrid Power Shelter is built for redundancy, reliability, and accessibility to ensure continuous power even in the harshest conditions. 

“Our Hybrid Power Shelters are engineered to be completely self-sustaining—integrating multiple energy sources, optimizing battery life, and using real-time monitoring to track fuel and power levels before there’s a problem," HCI Energy’s Director of Operations, Mike Krawczyk, explains.  

Mike detailed the key elements of HCI Energy’s system that make it ideal for remote environments: 

Multi-Source Energy Integration

A battery-first system coupled with a balanced mix of solar, wind, lithium-ion energy storage, and backup generators ensure uninterrupted power, even if one source is compromised. 

Cold-Weather Engineering  

Thermal insulation, onboard heating, and ventilation systems prevent battery freezing, fuel gelling, and equipment failure problems that cripple traditional setups. 

Built for Extreme Deployments 

Containerized design makes HCI’s Hybrid Power Shelter durable, transportable, and adaptable for deployment by truck, rail, ship, plane, or helicopter. 

Remote Monitoring & Automation 

The Zero-glitch Power Module (ZPM) houses HCI Energy’s proprietary software, designed to simplify the complexity of integrating multiple power sources into a seamless, automated system. As the brain of every Hybrid Power Shelter, the ZPM continuously monitors battery condition, optimizes energy inputs, and intelligently controls power outputs. The system prioritizes renewable options first to charge the integrated Lithium-ion batteries, then the grid (if available), and lastly, onboard generation. In addition to reducing your carbon footprint, this automated approach drastically reduces generator fuel consumption and maintenance needs. Equally important, the ZPM provides early insight into fuel shortages, battery issues, and power fluctuations, helping operators prevent failures, reduce downtime, and eliminate high-risk and high-cost site visits. 

Powering the Future of Remote Telecom 

Reliable power is the backbone of telecom connectivity, but harsh, remote environments make traditional systems nearly impossible to use, particularly off-grid. Stand-alone generators are inefficient, struggle, and frequently fail in extreme conditions. In many cases, frequent refueling or maintenance visits are not viable.  

HCI Energy’s Hybrid Power Shelter delivers a field-tested, proven solution for the harshest environments. Its rugged shelter is turnkey, meaning a helicopter can drop it in place on a remote mountaintop. Furthermore, it provides nonstop power with battery-first architecture, energy source redundancy, and drastically reduced fuel consumption and maintenance needs. Our smart, integrated power management system provides real-time monitoring and automation to keep sites online no matter how extreme the conditions.