Examining Safety Innovations in the PV and ESS Industry at 2026 Summit

The 2026 PV & ESS Safety Industry Summit: A New Path for Secure Development

On June 24, 2026, during Intersolar Europe in Munich, Huawei Digital Power and its global partners convened the 2026 PV & ESS Safety Industry Summit. This event focused on security risks and gaps in insurance coverage regarding large-scale photovoltaic (PV) and Energy Storage Systems (ESS) amidst the global energy transition. Industry experts, association leaders, and insurance sector representatives engaged in deep dialogues about safety standards, firefighting challenges, testing procedures, and innovative insurance solutions aimed at charting a fresh course for secure and reliable development in this evolving sector.

The Need for High Standards in Safety

Xia Hesheng, VP at Huawei Digital Power, emphasized that safety in PV and ESS is not merely an option but a necessity within the new energy system paradigm. He articulated that achieving safety involves integrating various disciplines, including electrochemistry, thermal management, power electronics, digital technologies, and artificial intelligence. Reflecting on Huawei's long-term commitment to safety, he stated the company continues to prioritize safety through sustained investments in innovation throughout the entire supply chain. This underlined the necessity for enhanced collaboration among stakeholders to merge quantitative safety assessments with insurance mechanisms contributing to higher quality development in the renewable energy sector.

Global Perspectives on Safety and Innovation

Gerrit Lührung, head of System Infrastructure and BESS at Bundesverband Energiespeicher Systeme e. V. (BVES), highlighted the evolution of energy storage from merely a commercial tool to an essential resource for sustainable systems amid the 'curtailment crisis.' In Germany, the total battery energy storage system capacity (BESS) reached 19 GW, spurred on by the utility and industrial sectors. In the next three years, the industry must navigate regulatory barriers, adhere to new safety guidelines, and unlock the potential value of these systems.
Tom Hessels from the Dutch Institute for Public Safety (NIPV) warned that battery fires are on the rise and called for the publication of test data (e.g., UL 9540A) and continuous technical support from manufacturers to bridge the information gap between firefighters and producers. Mikel Arrese-Igor from DNV reported that around 70% of BESS faults occur at the system level, with real-world testing validating safety philosophies like 'safety-by-design.'

Navigating New Risks in Energy Transformation

Bill Reaugh, a solar executive at VDE, pointed out the emerging risks associated with transforming energy systems. He proposed that safety protocols evolve beyond components to encompass entire ecosystems, leveraging a Digital Trust Model. Safety must represent a complete lifecycle approach, covering design, production, and operational phases.
Zhu Jun, Product Director at Huawei Digital Power, identified four key challenges: managing thermal runaway, high voltage isolation failures, grid disturbances, and insufficient digitalization. Establishing a comprehensive quantitative safety assessment framework is vital to elevate risks from 'Mitigation Zone B' to 'Acceptability Zone C.'

Advancing Industry Paradigms

Huawei has developed a protective network including passive protections and proactive alerts, utilizing high-temperature resistant insulation, positive pressure smoke exhaust systems, intelligent double-stage architectures, and AI-driven rapid warning technologies to restrict thermal runaway incidents in extreme scenarios. Alastair Nicklin from Willis Natural Resources (WTW) proposed that the insurance sector embrace a 'design as risk control' paradigm, focusing on quantifying risk as a product leading to the development of a closed-loop defensive system that encompasses physical, financial, and environmental dimensions.
During the summit, the Grid-Forming ESS Safety White Paper was released, providing valuable insights into quantitative assessment frameworks, defense-testing systems, and digitalization pathways. It proposed a paradigm of unified safety guidelines for regulatory stakeholders, construction practices, and industry players.

Through the 2026 PV & ESS Safety Industry Summit, key stakeholders have kickstarted a meaningful dialogue on safety innovation, ensuring that the future of energy remains secure and reliable as we move towards a greener economy.