Industry collaboration drives ESS safety improvements
Huawei has reported that the Grid Forming & ESS Safety Forum was held in Shanghai on 12 June 2025 to address safety standards, technology trends and operational practices within the global energy storage sector.
According to Huawei, the event included contributions from insurance providers, partners, testing bodies, and customers across the photovoltaic and energy storage industries.
During the event, Huawei Digital Power announced the launch of the ESS Safety Initiative.
The initiative aims to develop internationally recognised safety levels and performance benchmarks for energy storage systems.
Huawei said the ESS Safety Initiative was launched in cooperation with customers, certification organisations, and insurers.
Safety design and grid-forming capability at the centre of Huawei’s approach
Huawei Digital Power President of Smart PV & ESS Product Line Steven Zhou said grid-forming ESS technology is becoming increasingly relevant as the global energy transition continues.
Zhou said: “A grid-forming ESS, with its excellent grid-supporting capability, has become a cutting-edge and popular technology.”
“Moreover, ESS safety is the top priority for the sustainable development of the industry.”
“Huawei Digital Power has just launched the brand-new FusionSolar 9.0 Smart PV+ESS solution, promoting grid-forming technology from ESS to PV+ESS and across all scenarios, thereby achieving comprehensive applications.”
Huawei explained that its Smart String Grid-Forming ESS technology was tested in Qinghai and Xizang and applied in GW-level deployments.
According to Huawei, four main technical challenges still affect commercial rollouts: device parallel stability, oscillation damping, overload resilience, and safety.
Huawei said its technology covers the entire power system lifecycle.
Test results shared from grid-forming project in Southeast Asia
Huawei said TÜV SÜD conducted field testing on a utility-scale project in Cambodia, using its PV+ESS system.
The company stated that tests were carried out in line with PPP 58232 standards.
According to Huawei, these tests demonstrated grid stability and helped lay the groundwork for future deployments across Southeast Asia.
Industry stakeholders including Wood Mackenzie’s APAC Research Director Robert Liew and VDE’s Patrick Zank addressed market readiness and standardisation efforts.
Representatives from SchneiTec and TÜV SÜD also shared insights on how ESS infrastructure is evolving in Southeast Asian power systems.
Huawei outlines safety features across entire ESS lifecycle
Huawei Digital Power President of Grid-Forming ESS Business Steve Zheng said ESS units face risks due to electrochemical inconsistency, grid fluctuation, and digital monitoring gaps.
To address this, Huawei has introduced a layered safety system combining battery design, architecture control, and monitoring.
Zheng said: “ESSs have three typical characteristics: high density, high voltage, and high current.”
“During the lifecycle, the electrochemical inconsistency, grid uncertainty, and insufficient digital management capabilities of ESSs may cause great safety risks.”
Huawei explained that its system includes the Panshi battery pack, which uses triple-layer insulation to reduce arc, thermal and fire risk.
The system’s two-stage string architecture aims to prevent backfeed and support power ride-through.
Huawei said its digital platform enables pre-emptive alerts up to one week in advance and supports over 30 fault classifications.
Empirical safety tests conducted with DNV
Huawei reported that testing carried out at the Huawei Dongguan Grid-Forming ESS Comprehensive Lab involved simulations of fire, water and thermal conditions.
The tests were conducted with DNV and focused on four ESS safety criteria: non-flammable, non-explosive, non-spreading, and non-harmful.
Huawei said its technology also meets additional grid, load, and environmental compatibility benchmarks.
The company stated that these tests support the goals of the ESS Safety Initiative by providing measurable safety standards across all system components.
According to Huawei, ongoing engagement with industry partners is intended to develop global ESS fire suppression guidelines and establish lifecycle-wide risk management procedures.
Huawei confirmed its intention to continue supporting grid integration and renewable energy adoption through the PV+ESS solution.
Huawei launches ESS safety initiative in China: Summary
Huawei has reported that the Grid Forming & ESS Safety Forum took place in Shanghai on 12 June 2025.
The forum brought together customers, partners, insurers, and testing organisations.
Huawei launched the ESS Safety Initiative during the event.
The company said this initiative focuses on safety visibility and management across the full ESS lifecycle.
Huawei outlined four ESS safety standards: non-flammable, non-explosive, non-spreading, and non-harmful.
Huawei confirmed that empirical testing was carried out with DNV and TÜV SÜD.
Huawei presented its Smart String Grid-Forming ESS and FusionSolar 9.0 PV+ESS solution.
According to Huawei, grid-forming ESS is key to future grid stability.
The company said its technology was tested in projects in Qinghai, Xizang, and Cambodia.
Huawei identified four commercialisation challenges for ESS: device stability, oscillation damping, overload support, and system safety.
Huawei highlighted its layered battery, architecture, and monitoring system.
The firm confirmed that its solution meets grid, load, and environmental compatibility standards.