How Huawei’s Solutions Underpin the Revolution in Renewables

With the world in the throes of changing climate, intergovernmental organisations and individual countries are making unified and singular commitments to try and reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and move to a cleaner source of energy. 

Although much has been said about the use of electric cars and generating power with clean energy as a way to cut emissions, less discussed are the changes that need to take place on our energy systems to handle this new dynamic required of it. However, one company is preparing for such a future: Huawei. 

China is already a leader in renewable energy, producing around 30% of its annual energy use from renewables, with NGO GEM reporting the amount of wind and solar power projects being built in the country now equating to almost twice as much as the rest of the world combined. 

Therefore it’s no surprise that Huawei being a leading Chinese company was faced with the challenges such sustainable energy dynamics much earlier. Such is why it is a leader in such technological applications focusing on the energy sector, and hence the company has just unveiled the world’s largest microgrid in Saudi Arabia to facilitate the country’s Red Sea Project.

Poised to be the world's first fully clean energy-powered tourist destination, the Red Sea Project’s microgrid developed by Huawei can cover a development of 28000 sq km to power an airport, 50 hotels, 8000+ luxury rooms, a seawater destination, and one million tourists annually.

Reinventing energy supplies

As part of its SaudiVision2030, Saudi Arabia is aggressively pushing to reduce its reliance on oil with sustainable energy sources, aiming to reach 50% renewable electricity generation by 2030. Therefore, the county is focusing on upgrading the entire power generation, distribution, and transmission sector as part of this. 

Microgrids can therefore play a crucial component in this transition. A microgrid, a localised and self-contained energy system that can operate independently from the main power grid or in conjunction with it, typically consists of distributed energy resources such as solar panels, wind turbines, and energy storage systems, all integrated and controlled by advanced software tools and communication technologies. 

To function effectively, a microgrid requires a combination of power generation sources, energy storage capabilities, distribution infrastructure, and a sophisticated control system that can manage the flow of electricity and balance supply with demand.

Here is where Huawei was able to lend its expertise. Huawei has been working on such technology for 10 years, with the Chinese OEM having brought over 30 top scientists and doctors to integrate digital tech and power electronics with its innovative vision. 

As a result, Huawei is one of the few companies that can offer both the hardware and suitable software to manage and optimise energy operations.

Providing the infrastructure like Smart PV controllers, Smart String ESS solutions, storage batteries, and sensors, Huawei provides operations with all the essentials it needs to build smart new energy systems.

Where it really comes into its own, however, is through its software capabilities. Unlike competitors, Huawei offers a comprehensive digital power strategy, 

Providing the software infrastructure for the above, operators can utilise Huawei’s FusionSolar, a system that integrates AI and Cloud technologies with ICT advancements, into managing its Smart PV controllers to see insights extracted from their green energy generating assets, and to locate less efficient and abnormal strings more quickly - reducing unnecessary site visits.

It was these technologies used in tandem that were fundamental to seeing in the completion of the microgrid in Saudi Arabia. 

However, Huawei’s offerings extend beyond specific use cases like the Red Sea Project to enable power companies to consumer homes to take advantage of the energy revolution. 

Capabilities for grid-level transformation 

By combining its Smart PV and energy storage solutions, Huawei is able to take this energy gained from such microgrids or photovoltaic assets to support power grids and improve new energy consumption for more penetration.

Currently, the integration of solar power into the electrical grid presents, with the heart of these challenges lies the fundamental mismatch between the DC electricity generated by photovoltaic panels and the AC infrastructure that forms the backbone of power distribution systems. 

Equally, the intermittent nature of solar generation adds another layer of complexity, requiring sophisticated grid management techniques to balance supply and demand. 

Yet, through its suite of Smart Renewable Energy Generator Solutions - which includes everything from Smart PV Controller, Smart Array Control Unit, Smart Transformer Station and Smart PV Management System - Huawei was able to overcome these difficulties in conversion and management to create the world's first batch of grid-forming energy storage plants.

The plants, which passed the crucial grid-connection tests in China, have demonstrated its potential for successful large-scale application.

The solution therefore can clear the major obstacles associated with renewable energy development and solve the global challenge of increasing the grid integration of renewables, building a new power system with 100% renewable energy integration and application.

Equally, Huawei's newly announced Intelligent Distribution Solution ensures efficient management of such power distribution networks, focusing on the critical 'last mile' of power grids. 

Boasting impressive features like rapid fault location, high terminal online rates, and quasi-real-time control, it addresses key challenges such as high line loss and low reliability whilst facilitating the integration of clean energy sources with new energy load management. 

The solution combines HPLC and other technologies to enhance transparent perception and service digitization in power transformer districts. 

A future of secure energy

Huawei's commitment to renewable energy and a cleaner tomorrow has seen it extend its great applications from the point of generation right down to consumption, providing the same energy storage technology to residential applications. 

With many members of the public expressing a wish to do something to offset their own carbon footprint, Huawei’s LUNA S1 energy storage system can bring them satisfaction without any of the sacrifice.

Using its same Smart String Energy Storage System, the LUNA S1 stores excess energy generated by solar panels during the day, enabling homeowners to utilise this stored power when sunlight is unavailable or during peak electricity pricing periods.

By integrating seamlessly with the power grid, the LUNA S1 enhances energy independence and reduces reliance on traditional electricity sources. Its additional integration with Huawei's smart home ecosystem allows users that same level of control as their enterprise offerings. 

It is for reasons like this that make Huawei a leader in the renewable energy sector. By providing reliable, efficient, and safe technological solutions, Huawei is empowering businesses and individuals alike to embrace clean energy and contribute to a greener planet.

These innovative solutions can be witnessed at this year’s GITEX. From October 14 to 18, Huawei will be a Diamond Sponsor at the 44th GITEX GLOBAL 2024, one of the world's largest technology exhibitions. 

With the theme of "Accelerate Industrial Digitalization and Intelligence", Huawei will launch a series of flagship products and solutions for the global enterprise markets, Reference Architecture for Intelligent Transformation, and rich innovative practices in digital intelligence in the global industry. 

At the same time, Huawei will hold the Huawei Industrial Digital and Intelligent Transformation Summit 2024, dozens of forums, hundreds of talks and keynote speeches, exchanging thoughts with the industry. 

At this exhibition, Huawei's booth is located at B10&B20, Hall 22, Dubai World Trade Center. It covers an area of more than 1400 square metres, with the focus on two themes: "Accelerate Industrial Digitalization and Intelligence" and "Leading Digital and Intelligent Infrastructure". 

They are extending a welcome for all to visit the GITEX Global Huawei exhibition area to experience and join its journey of "Accelerate Industrial Digitalization and Intelligence".

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