How Huawei is driving renewable energy forward in South Asia

As the world increasingly moves away from fossil fuels and sets ambitious carbon neutrality goals, the importance of renewable energy has never been clearer. With over 130 countries committing to carbon neutrality, the need for sustainable energy solutions is urgent. 

Huawei is leading the charge with its Digital Power division, which integrates advanced digital and power electronics technologies to drive the clean energy revolution. Their innovations, from smart photovoltaics to ultra-fast liquid-cooled charging systems, are making a significant impact, generating billions of kWh of green power and drastically cutting CO2 emissions. 

Nixiaopeng (Liam), director of Huawei's South Asia Digital Power Department, delves into the company's strategies for achieving a greener future, including the critical role of policy and technology in accelerating the shift to renewable energy in an interview with The Business Standard.

Why is renewable energy important? What is Huawei's role in the global push for sustainable energy solutions?

Our reliance on fossil fuels is outdated, and with finite reserves, switching to renewable energy has become crucial. Carbon neutrality is now a global goal, with over 130 countries setting deadlines to achieve it.

To reach carbon neutrality, we need to cut energy use and lower carbon emissions. Huawei is leading this shift with its Digital Power division, which combines digital and power electronics technologies to advance clean energy and energy efficiency.

In 2023, Huawei made significant strides in renewable energy, introducing innovations like smart photovoltaics and ultra-fast liquid-cooled charging systems. These advancements support various energy needs — from large utility plants to residential setups — helping build a new, sustainable energy infrastructure. Over the past year, Huawei's solutions have generated 997.9 billion kWh of green power, saved 46.1 billion kWh of electricity, and cut CO2 emissions by 495 million tonnes.

What are the key steps towards 'Go Green' with renewable energy?

Carbon neutrality is supported by policy, and enabled by technology.  So, having a strong policy is the first one. Then we need to opt-in for the right technology and innovation. 

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the electric power sector itself accounts for about 40% of global carbon emissions and generates the largest share of carbon emissions than any other industry. To reduce carbon emissions in power generation, we need environment-friendly technologies that will develop renewable energy as well.

For example, we can use technologies such as AI and Smart DC System (SDS) to improve PV energy yields and O&M efficiency, making power generation more economical. We can also use smart PV + storage generators to form grids and increase the proportion of renewables in energy consumption by 30%. Plus, we can use arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) to implement intelligent arc protection.

PV is a dominant player in renewable energy. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimates that renewable energy will account for 86% of global power generation by 2050; of this, PV will account for more than 25%, becoming a major energy source. So, we need more focus on PV. 

According to GSMA, by 2030, the ICT industry will account for only 1.97% of global carbon emissions. With a deep dive, ICT infrastructure — such as data centres and telecom sites — consumes about 4% of all global energy. Computing is an important driver of the digital economy, placing data centres at its core, which consume increasingly more energy. 

So, having the right technology and adaptation is very important for carbon emissions. Similarly, telecom sites are delivering stronger connectivity while consuming significant energy. Replacing lead-acid batteries with lithium batteries is also a way. 

Huawei is going to sign a contract with Walton for Lithium Battery Production. How will it help?

For years, BTS (Base Transceiver Stations), basically the mobile network towers have relied on lead-acid batteries as a backup power source though these batteries have limitations in terms of environmental friendliness and performance. Our recent partnership with Walton Digitech, aims to boost the production of environmentally sustainable lithium batteries for BTSs. Huawei will contribute here with its technical support, designing expertise, and raw material, and guidance. Walton Digitech, on the other hand, will take charge of the actual production and ensure the high quality of the lithium batteries produced. 

lithium-ion batteries boast nearly 100% efficiency, longer lifespans, and require less maintenance. They are also more environmentally friendly to recycle. It will help the telecom industry significantly by saving costs, improving operational efficiency, and saving from hazards. In addition, it will help Bangladesh to meet the global carbon emissions reduction target.

Can Bangladesh find growth in renewable energy production? How can Huawei help? 

As of 2021, renewable energy makes up just 0.4% of Bangladesh's energy production, with solar leading the way. With countries worldwide ramping up their renewable energy investments and policies, China has been a key player in Bangladesh's energy sector. The Chief Advisor has recently called for more Chinese support to enhance the country's solar energy capacity.

Bangladesh is naturally positioned to excel in solar energy. Its ample sunlight and geographic advantages make it ideal for solar power. Factories could use rooftop solar panels to meet their energy needs and even sell excess energy to the national grid, boosting business growth and addressing energy shortages. Additionally, the country's vast coastal and riverbank areas offer further potential for solar energy projects.

Huawei aims to help Bangladesh become a leader in renewable energy. The company has already implemented over 72 solar projects in the country, including its second-largest solar power plant. Huawei has also introduced new smart power solutions tailored to local needs, deploying 132 MW of solar projects using its FusionSolar Inverter technology.

Looking forward, Huawei is committed to supporting Bangladesh's renewable energy ambitions and reducing carbon emissions. We also believe in fostering local talent and are establishing a digital solar lab at United International University to encourage youth involvement in this growing field.

How are Huawei's smart products and solutions different from others?

Huawei has a track record of successfully building such ecosystems. Our smart energy solutions are diversified.

Huawei's smart string and grid-forming ESS solution significantly improves a power grid's ability to integrate renewable energy by reshaping voltage, frequency, and power angles. We have also combined IoT, big data, AI, and other new ICT solutions to improve O&M by automating the fault diagnosis process for smart power plants.

Safety is the cornerstone of high-quality development within the PV industry. Huawei has implemented a four-dimensional safety solution to ensure the long-term safety and stability of power systems. Energy producers can use Huawei solutions to benefit from energy production and power dispatching. 

Our iPV intelligent optimization technology can increase energy yields by about 20%. Our intelligent algorithm for PV and ESS synergy can increase green power utilisation rates while reducing the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for green site power. 

Huawei's major smart PV products received both IEC 62443 and ETSI EN 303 645 certifications. Besides, our PV Inverters that are equipped with remote and smart O&M, arcing extinguishes in 0.5s, AFCI function with 100% accuracy, overheating and weatherproof devices, and IP66/IP65 rating with anti-corrosion technology. 

We are also providing Energy Storage solutions that are 40% more usable, with 15s fast fire extinguishing, 40cm underwater protection, fast charging and discharging, and resistance to ultra-low temperatures. 

On top of that, our Data Centre Solutions are 30% more energy efficient, 20% increased resource utilisation, and equipped with auto fault locating and shutdown protection. 

Besides, our AI-driven Energy Management Assistant, which is known as EMMA, further enhances energy efficiency by providing real-time monitoring and management, ensuring optimal use of energy resources. These features of our products give a refined edge over other products and solutions available in the market. 

Could you tell us more about EMMA?

EMMA is designed to revolutionise how energy is managed in both residential and commercial properties. By providing real-time monitoring, EMMA can predict energy demand, reduce waste, and significantly improve overall energy efficiency. 

It also identifies potential issues, such as overheating or system faults, and can take immediate corrective actions. This proactive approach not only enhances energy efficiency but also ensures the reliability and safety of energy systems.

How are you serving the residential and commercial sector?

For residential scenarios, we have created a Residential One-fits-all Solution with a "1 + 4 + X" design that can help users increase their utilisation of PV power and transform households from energy consumers to energy prosumers. This solution includes an inverter ("1"), optimizers, ESSs, chargers, and management systems ("4" core products), and the ability to enable an unlimited number ("X") of home appliances.

For C&I scenarios, we have developed a one-stop C&I Smart PV & ESS Solution that delivers active safety, optimal electricity costs, long-term reliability, simplified O&M, and optimal revenue. This solution includes optimizers, smart PV controllers, ESSs, chargers, electrical loads, smart microgrids, and smart PV management systems. The solution is designed to support sustainable business operations and help industries go green and low-carbon.