In the last few years, the power consumed by wireless access networks and the exposure for humans due to these networks has drawn attention. Most studies focus on existing technologies and the more traditional design of networks. This research proposal focuses on the development of next-generation networks and their energy and exposure performance. To this end, I will first investigate the new emergent 5G technology (which is commercially not available yet) and techniques related to 5G such as massive Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO), where hundreds of antennas are used to transmit the signal, and beamforming, where the signal is concentrated. The power consumption and exposure is accounted for when designing the wireless network. Furthermore, we also need to reconsider the traditional idea of the power supply of the network and allow to feed certain base stations in the network by renewable energy sources such as wind and solar energy instead of using the electricity grid. I will examine how we can take this into account when developing networks by e.g. considering different network architectures. Besides this, at a certain point in time, we will run out of fossil fuels and nuclear energy might be phased out, resulting in energy constraints in the electricity grid. I want to investigate how we can still offer a certain service level and coverage to the end user under various energy constraints so that for example we can at least make a call in case of emergencies.