Vietnam is at a historic turning point in the energy sector. With the commitment to Net Zero by 2050 at COP26, we are witnessing an unprecedented boom in renewable energy (RE). However, this rapid development also poses a huge technical challenge: how to stably operate a national grid with a high proportion of “erratic” power sources such as wind and solar?
The answer lies in the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). In the latest revised Power Development Plan VIII (PDP8), BESS has transformed from a “potential” technology to an indispensable “pillar”.
1. From "Excess Sunlight, Lack of Electricity" to Urgent Need for Storage
The paradox of “surplus power but power shortage” once occurred in Ninh Thuan and Binh Thuan when a series of solar power plants had to cut capacity at noon due to grid overload, while the system lacked power during peak evening hours.
BESS solves this problem completely with its ability to energy transfer: collecting excess clean electricity during the day and regenerating it at night. This not only prevents waste of social resources but also helps to “soften” the electricity generation curve, turning renewable energy from an uncertain source into a more stable and reliable one.
2. Changes in Strategic Thinking in PDP8
While initial drafts only set a modest target of 300 MW for BESS by 2030, the final approval of PDP8 has raised this figure to 10.000 – 16.300 MW. By 2050, the total storage capacity is expected to reach 96.000 MW.
This sharp increase is a testament to the Government's identification of BESS as a mandatory infrastructure for the successful integration of nearly 22.000 MW of wind power and tens of thousands of MW of solar power in the future.
3. System Inertia Challenges
One little-mentioned but extremely important technical issue is system inertiaTraditional power sources (hydropower, thermal power) have large rotating blocks that create inertia to help stabilize the grid frequency. Solar and wind power connected via inverters do not have this ability.
As the proportion of renewable energy increases, the grid will gradually lose its natural inertia, becoming “fragile” and vulnerable to incidents. BESS with smart inverter technology is capable of providing “artificial inertia”, helping the grid stand firm against frequency fluctuations, preventing the risk of widespread grid collapse.
BESS is no longer an option, but an imperative to ensure national energy security. Deploying BESS according to the PDP8 roadmap will be the key for Vietnam to realize its dream of clean, sustainable and self-sufficient energy.
