#China #Shenzhen #Huawei Digital Power #Global Solar Council #AI Integrations

Bridging the Global Electricity Gap

On September 15, 2026, the 2026 Global Low-Carbon Industry Forum convened in Shenzhen, China, addressing the critical issue of the worldwide electricity gap with the theme, "Making the Most of Every Ray, Powering the Unpowered." The event brought together industry leaders, prominent scientists, and representatives from various sectors to discuss the integration of grid-forming and AI technologies in transforming the global energy landscape.

Opening Insights on Energy Transition

In his opening remarks, Hou Jinlong, chairman of Huawei's board and president of Huawei Digital Power, emphasized that the trends of decarbonization, electrification, digitalization, and intelligence have become key factors in the global energy transition. He noted that no single solution fits all regions, as challenges vary widely depending on local energy profiles. For areas with high renewable energy shares, system safety remains paramount, while emerging economies prioritize reliable supply and cost reduction. In less developed regions, ensuring inclusive access to electricity is crucial. Integrating grid-forming technology with AI offers a feasible path to achieve low-cost, reliable, and sustainable energy solutions.

Key Trends and Challenges

During the forum, a representative from the Global Solar Council illustrated the shift from fossil fuel dependency to energy independence through local solar and storage resources. This transition, however, faces significant challenges, especially as nations increasingly seek resilience in their energy systems amidst rising uncertainties. Notably, Wang Xiongfei, an IEEE Fellow from Tsinghua University, discussed the demands that AI data centers present and stressed the need for them to evolve into net-friendly loads capable of supporting grid conditions actively.

Innovative Solutions and Market Mechanisms

Patrick Clerens from Energy Storage Europe highlighted the development of market-driven energy storage mechanisms in the EU to ensure supply reliability while adapting to the rising share of renewables. His insights pointed to the necessity of grid-forming capabilities as system inertia wanes, advocating for innovative services such as synthetic inertia and rapid frequency support. These developments signal lucrative opportunities for energy storage markets across Europe.

In an important talk, Dr. Liu Yunfeng, Chief Scientist at Huawei Digital Power, shared that energy systems are transforming from classical electromagnetically-driven mechanisms to silicon-based programmable systems. He underscored that AI is no longer optional but essential for achieving the necessary autonomy in future energy systems.

Practical Applications and Testing

The practical side of energy transition was illustrated through Pouya Mostashar from Fraunhofer IWES, who presented findings from Europe's first utility-scale grid-forming tests conducted with Huawei. These successful tests validated the applicability of grid-forming technology in battery storage systems, paving the way for standard certifications and market acceptability.

As part of a significant milestone, Antonio M. Abuel Jr. from Terra Solar Philippines Inc. showcased the world’s largest integrated solar PV and storage project. The MTerra Solar Grid-Forming Project boasts a capacity of 3.5 GW of solar power linked with 4.5 GWh of storage, poised to empower 2.4 million households while reducing carbon emissions substantially.

A Collaborative Future

In a historic closing event, the forum launched the Global Joint Initiative on Grid Forming AI, aimed at uniting various sectors to accelerate the standardization and application of grid-forming technologies globally. This initiative seeks to harness innovative solutions to eliminate energy imbalances and provide green, stable, and affordable electricity. With nearly 700 million people lacking electricity access, the collaborative effort aims at delivering tangible solutions to bridge this critical gap, utilizing renewables for a resilient energy future.

Through the combined efforts of various stakeholders, this event marks a pivotal moment in the global quest to ensure that every ray of sunshine leads to a new opportunity for those disconnected from the energy grid.