#Spain #Lithium Batteries #Barcelona #Huawei Digital Power #ITU White Paper

Pioneering Innovations in Telecom Sustainability

The global telecom sector is on a transformative path as it grapples with the pressing challenges of carbon emissions and energy consumption. At the Huawei Global Digital Power Summit held at MWC 2025 in Barcelona, a remarkable white paper focusing on lithium batteries for telecom sites was jointly unveiled by Huawei and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). This initiative is a part of Huawei's commitment to promote greener and more sustainable practices within the industry, especially in alignment with the theme, "AI Powering a Greener ICT."

Rising Carbon Emissions in Telecom

During the summit, Charles Yang, Senior Vice President of Huawei, emphasized the telecom industry's significant carbon footprint, contributing approximately 600 million tons of carbon emissions globally, or roughly 2% of total emissions. As the world strives for carbon neutrality, the telecom sector faces challenges, including heightened emissions, soaring energy consumption, and escalating energy costs. To navigate these hurdles, Huawei Digital Power is stepping in to integrate cutting-edge digital and power electronics technologies to offer comprehensive low-carbon solutions.

Transitioning to Energy Producers

By incorporating advanced technologies, Huawei assists telecom operators in transitioning from mere energy consumers to active energy producers and enablers. Notable success stories include operators in Pakistan who have leveraged Huawei’s PV plus energy storage system (ESS) solutions. By replacing traditional generators with photovoltaic systems, these operators have reduced site fuel consumption by an astounding 96% and are looking to cut energy operational expenditures (OPEX) by 38% across 1,000 sites. In regions like the Czech Republic, Huawei's innovations have helped operators extend their backup times and increase financial benefits by engaging in electricity markets based on their existing ESS setups.

A Historic White Paper Release

The joint release of the white paper is groundbreaking—it marks the first of its kind, aiming to elevate the standards of lithium battery usage in telecommunications. The document lays out recommendations for high-quality lithium batteries, ensuring they meet unparalleled performance parameters, and it calls for robust end-to-end safety systems. Safety is a significant concern; the paper provides an in-depth analysis of potential hazards associated with the usage of lithium batteries at telecom sites. By sharing global research outcomes and best practices, it aims to fortify the safe, reliable, and efficient application of these essential components within the telecom industry.

According to Reyna Úbeda, an engineer with ITU-T SG5, high-quality and safe lithium batteries are crucial for improving energy storage efficiency and minimizing the ecological footprint of telecom operations. This white paper, along with the Data Center Lithium-ion Battery Safety Application White Paper, seeks to advocate for standardized and extensive adoption of lithium-ion batteries across the data center landscape, further underlining the importance of safety at every level of operation.

The Path Ahead

With the rapid advent of AI applications and emerging intelligent scenarios, innovative opportunities and challenges arise concerning energy consumption. Thus, the ICT sector looks ahead towards a bright horizon filled with potential growth and development as it embraces sustainability actively. Huawei Digital Power remains resolute in its dedication to continuous innovation and collaboration with global partners who share this vision. The ultimate goal remains clear: cultivating new business value while building a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly future for the ICT industry.

For those interested, the white paper is available for download, providing insights that highlight not only the technology advancements but also the responsibility of the industry in addressing climate issues. The collaboration between Huawei and ITU stands as a beacon of hope for the telecom sector as it strives to reconcile technological advancement with ecological stewardship.