Huawei unveils world’s largest microgrid

Huawei Digital Power has built a 400 MW/1.3 GWh solar-storage microgrid project in Saudi Arabia's Red Sea New City.

The station includes 400 MW of PV capacity and 1.3 GWh of electrochemical energy storage. Covering 100 km of grid infrastructure, it is the world’s first independent microgrid project to be fully powered by solar and energy storage without connection to any power network. Huawei Digital Power supports the solar-storage microgrid system with intelligent string inverters and smart string storage units, ensuring continuous power supply even during low sunlight. The system is complemented by electrochemical storage systems from Huawei itself, meeting the city’s energy needs at night or on cloudy days. Huawei's intelligent solar storage solution uses grid-forming technology to operate as a reliable voltage source, maintaining grid stability in off-grid modes. The smart microgrid supports voltage total harmonic distortion (THDu) of less than 1.5% in off-grid mode and current total harmonic distortion (THDi) of less than 1% in grid-connected mode under rated conditions. 

Huawei's technology supports grid restoration by stabilizing voltage, frequency, and power angle, which helps reduce recovery times. The smart string storage system improves capacity and safety through battery optimization, cluster management, and multiple safety features. It addresses inefficiencies in traditional microgrid black-start procedures using advanced algorithms that integrate 100% of storage capacity without needing to oversize the power conversion system (PCS). Additionally, the equipment meets IP55 protection and C5 anti-corrosion standards, making it suitable for harsh environments like extreme heat, humidity, salt fog, and sand.