Battery Energy Storage (BESS) technology is no longer a distant theoretical concept in Vietnam. In recent years, the market has witnessed strong pioneering steps, from large-scale pilot projects of the electricity industry to commercial applications and investment in domestic production.
Looking back at these pioneering projects not only provides valuable lessons learned, but also paints a clear picture of the potential future of the energy storage industry in Vietnam.
1. Commercial Case Study: Vinpearl Nha Trang
- Project: In December 12, VinFast Energy, Marubeni and Vinpearl officially put into commercial operation the BESS system at Vinpearl resort on Hon Tre Island, Nha Trang.
- Scale: The system has a storage capacity of 3.7 MWh, researched, developed and manufactured by VinFast Energy.
- Objectives & Lessons:
- Cost optimization: The main application of the project is to reduce electricity costs by storing energy during off-peak hours and using it during peak hours, reducing pressure on the grid.
- New business model: The project pioneers a tripartite cooperation model where the end user (Vinpearl) benefits from BESS without any initial investment costs.
- Platform for renewable energy: The BESS system plays a key role, supporting Vinpearl to integrate additional solar power systems in the future, towards sustainable development.
BESS system project at Vinpearl resort on Hon Tre island, Nha Trang (photo: collected)
2. Grid Scale Case Study: EVN Pilot Project
- Project: Vietnam Electricity (EVN) has been approved to deploy the first pilot BESS project with a scale of 50 MW / 50 MWh.
- International cooperation: The project has cooperation and support from major organizations such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and the Global Energy Alliance for People and the Planet (GEAPP).
- Objectives & Lessons:
- Collect real data: The core objective is to collect practical data and insights into how BESS operates in the Vietnamese power system.
- Building a legal framework: Insights from the pilot project will be an important basis for reforming the legal framework, developing technical standards and designing investment mechanisms, removing current barriers to large-scale BESS deployment.
- Preparing for the future: The project is a strategic step, preparing Vietnam's power grid infrastructure to integrate a large proportion of renewable energy according to the target of Power Plan 8.
3. Production Case Study: Stavian Group's BESS Factory
- Project: Stavian Group has announced investment in a battery energy storage system development project at the Stavian complex in Hung Yen.
- Scale: Phase I of the project has an investment capital of 22 million USD on an area of more than 5 hectares, the result of a joint venture between Stavian Energy Solutions and Juhang Energy Technology (Singapore).
- Objectives & Lessons:
- Forming a domestic supply chain: This is one of the pioneering projects investing in BESS production right in Vietnam, showing the formation of a domestic supply chain, reducing dependence on imports.
- Stay ahead of the trend: This investment demonstrates the confidence of large enterprises in the potential of the BESS market, especially when the legal frameworks for self-produced and self-consumed solar power and the DPPA mechanism are being finalized.
- “Made in Vietnam” potential: The project is expected to launch its first product by the end of the third quarter of 3, not only serving the domestic market but also aiming for export, affirming Vietnam's production capacity.
4. Smart Building Case Study: PECC2 Innovation Hub
- Project: Power Construction Consulting Joint Stock Company 2 (PECC2) has installed the BESS system at the Innovation Hub building in Ho Chi Minh City.
- Scale: The system has a capacity of 750 kW.
- Objectives & Lessons:
- Practical applications in commercial buildings: The project is a prime example of how BESS is used to stabilize the grid and reduce costs for a modern office building.
- Micro-grid model: The BESS system is part of a local micro-grid that can operate independently or connected to the main grid, representing a flexible and sustainable energy model for cities.
The future of BESS in Vietnam: These pioneering projects are just the beginning. With ambitious targets in the revised Power Development Plan 8, aiming for tens of thousands of MW of storage capacity by 2030, the BESS market in Vietnam is forecast to experience explosive growth. Lessons from these pioneering projects will be a solid foundation for investors and businesses to confidently enter one of the most promising energy sectors of the decade.
