Huawei and ITU's Collaborative White Paper on Lithium Batteries
At the recent MWC 2025 held in Barcelona, the Huawei Global Digital Power Summit brought together industry operators, leading companies, and experts from around the world. Centered on the theme "AI Powering a Greener ICT," the summit highlighted the ongoing challenges and innovative solutions within the telecom sector. A key focus was the joint release of a white paper by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Huawei, targeting the application of lithium batteries in telecommunications centers.
Addressing Climate Challenges
During the summit, Charles Yang, Senior Vice President of Huawei and President of Global Marketing, Sales, and Services for Huawei Digital Power, addressed the significant advances made worldwide in carbon emission reduction. Nevertheless, he emphasized that the climate crisis remains a formidable challenge, with the telecommunications sector accounting for approximately 600 million tons of carbon emissions, about 2% of global emissions. He pointed out that telecom operators face three principal challenges: increasing emissions, high energy consumption, and rising energy costs.
To combat these issues, Huawei Digital Power aims to merge digital and power electronics technology, providing low-carbon solutions suitable for diverse scenarios. This strategic approach is designed to transform telecom operators from being mere energy consumers into energy producers and facilitators.
Real-World Applications and Success Stories
The impact of Huawei's initiatives is evident globally, where various traditional operators have successfully reduced operational costs and carbon emissions through partnerships with Huawei. For instance, in Pakistan, a pioneering solution involving energy storage systems and photovoltaic installations has enabled clients to replace diesel generators, achieving a 96% reduction in on-site fuel consumption. The anticipated ecological transformation of 1,000 sites is expected to lower energy operational costs by 38%.
Similarly, in the Czech Republic, Huawei supports operators in extending backup times while generating revenue within energy markets through innovative systems. In Finland, Huawei's collaboration has resulted in aggregating energy storage solutions across different sectors, significantly increasing revenue through participation in frequency response services in the energy market. In Inner Mongolia, China, Huawei's technological advancements have upgraded AI data centers, allowing clients to deploy large-scale language model services quickly.
Envisioning a Greener Future Through Innovation
By providing solutions that have generated over 2.28 billion kWh of green energy and saved 81.6 billion kWh of electricity—equating to a reduction of 39.86 million tons of carbon emissions—Huawei Digital Power is making strides in environmental sustainability. The newly released white paper on lithium batteries outlines stringent performance criteria for high-quality batteries, underscoring the significance of developing a comprehensive safety system.
This publication also analyzes lithium battery safety issues in telecom sites while sharing global research findings and best practices. Moreover, Reyna Úbeda, an engineer from ITU-T SG5, noted that the organization's standardization efforts aim to enhance environmental efficiency within the ICT sector. Emphasizing the importance of safe, high-quality lithium batteries, she highlighted their role in optimizing energy storage and usage within telecommunications, thereby lessening overall environmental impact.
Looking Ahead: New Opportunities with All Intelligence
As we approach an era characterized by All Intelligence, the integration of AI technologies across various sectors brings a mix of opportunities and challenges in energy consumption. Huawei Digital Power remains committed to constant innovation, collaborating with global partners to add new business value while prioritizing a sustainable future. Through such initiatives, the company aims to foster a greener and more efficient landscape in the ICT industry.
In conclusion, Huawei and ITU's latest white paper serves as an essential resource for policymakers and telecommunications operators by promoting the safe, reliable, and efficient use of lithium batteries, which will be critical in achieving greener telecommunications.
Download the white paper here