In 2025, the world is witnessing a shift to a cleaner and more sustainable energy future. Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) emerging as a key technology, a “beacon of hope”. In Vietnam, with the explosive growth of renewable energy and increasing demand for electricity, BESS is no longer a strange concept but has become a strategic solution, holding the key to solving the inherent challenges of the modern energy industry.
This article will provide a more comprehensive view of BESS, decoding some aspects from basic definition, economic benefits, to its indispensable role in shaping the energy future of Vietnamese businesses.
1/ What is BESS?
BESS – abbreviation of the English phrase Battery Energy Storage System – is an advanced electric energy storage system that uses large-capacity rechargeable batteries to store electricity and deliver it when needed. At its core, a BESS acts as an “energy bank,” charging it when supply is abundant and discharging it for use during times of high demand or when other sources of generation are unavailable.
The fundamental difference between BESS and small-scale electricity storage systems is capacity. Instead of storing just a few kWh, commercial and industrial-scale BESS systems have very large capacities, typically in the hundreds to thousands of kWh range, capable of providing large generation capacity for long periods of time.
2/ Why will BESS be a “game-changer” for Vietnam's energy industry?
The rapid development of solar and wind power in Vietnam has brought many benefits, but also created great challenges regarding the stability of the national grid. Renewable energy is inherently phased – generating electricity only when there is sunshine or wind. BESS is the technological solution to solve this problem, acting as an “energy buffer”, helping:
- Grid balancing: BESS helps flatten the load curve, reducing pressure on the transmission and distribution system, especially during peak hours.
- Efficient renewable energy integration: The system stores excess energy generated from renewable sources and then releases it when demand exceeds production, addressing the inherent supply-demand imbalance of these energy sources.
- Improve system stability and reliability: BESS contributes to ensuring a more stable power supply, significantly reducing power outages, especially in extreme weather conditions.
3/ 5 Core Benefits of BESS for Businesses
For manufacturing and trading enterprises, investing in BESS is not only a step following the technological trend but also a smart financial investment decision, bringing many practical benefits.
3.1/ Optimizing Energy Costs
This is the most direct and attractive financial benefit. By applying intelligent charge/discharge coefficients, BESS helps businesses save significantly on electricity bills. The system will be programmed to automatically charge electricity from the grid during off-peak hours (usually at night) when electricity is cheap, and discharge the stored energy to supply production during peak hours when electricity is expensive.
3.2/ Strengthening Energy Security and Stable Operation
Sudden power outages can cause severe damage to production lines and business operations. BESS acts as a reliable backup power source, providing power immediately in the event of grid power outages or severe weather, helping businesses ensure continuous power supply, maintain stable operations and minimize the risk of production interruptions.
3.3/ Maximizing the Efficiency of Renewable Energy Investment
Many businesses have invested in rooftop solar power systems but often face the situation of wasting excess output at noon when the sun is strong but consumption demand is not high. BESS solves this problem by storing all excess solar power for use in the evening or on less sunny days, helping businesses maximize the potential of renewable energy and optimize investment efficiency.
3.4/ Reducing Carbon Emissions and Meeting Sustainability Standards (ESG)
By reducing the dependence on the grid (which still has a large proportion of coal-fired power) and traditional backup sources such as diesel generators, BESS helps businesses significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This is an important factor in helping businesses build a sustainable brand image, meeting the increasingly strict environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards of market and international partners.
3.5/ Strengthening Energy Self-sufficiency
Equipping BESS, especially when combined with solar power systems, helps businesses reduce their dependence on the grid, increase self-sufficiency and be more proactive in managing their energy resources.
4/ Operating principle of BESS
The BESS's operation revolves around an intelligently controlled charging and discharging cycle, based on signals from electricity prices, load demand and renewable energy output.
Charging phase: The system charges and stores energy in the battery. This process usually occurs when:
- Low grid electricity prices: Usually during peak hours, at night.
- Renewable energy creates surplus: For example, at noon, when the solar power system generates peak power but the plant's consumption demand is lower, the surplus electricity will be fed into the BESS instead of being wasted on the grid.
Discharging phase: The system will release the stored energy to supply the loads. This process usually occurs when:
- High grid electricity prices: During peak hours, BESS will supply electricity to the factory, helping to reduce the amount of electricity that has to be purchased from the grid at expensive prices.
- Renewable energy sources are not available: During the evening or on cloudy days, previously stored solar energy will be used.
- Grid failure: BESS will immediately switch to backup mode, supplying power to critical equipment.
5/ Main components that make up a BESS system
A complete BESS system is more than just batteries, but a complex engineering complex of many components working seamlessly together:
Battery System: As the “heart” of the BESS, it usually consists of multiple battery modules (commonly Lithium-ion technology) connected together to achieve the required capacity and voltage.
Battery Management System (BMS): Considered the "brain" of the battery system, BMS continuously monitors important parameters such as voltage, current, and temperature to ensure safe battery operation, optimize performance, and prolong battery life.
Power Conversion System (PCS): Includes bidirectional inverters, which are responsible for converting direct current (DC) from the battery into alternating current (AC) to supply the load and vice versa.
Energy Management System (EMS): As the brain of the entire BESS system, EMS controls and schedules charging/discharging operations based on input data to optimize economic benefits.
Auxiliary systems: Including the thermal management system (HVAC), fire protection system, and other safety equipment, often integrated neatly into a dedicated container shell.
With its outstanding benefits and strategic role, BESS is becoming increasingly popular and widely applied in many fields. The development of this technology will contribute significantly to ensuring a stable and sustainable power supply for the national power system, while opening up great opportunities for businesses to optimize costs and develop in a sustainable direction.
High-tech container production capacity of Hai Long Construction
- Practical experience with large projects, international standards: Hai Long has successfully implemented many projects to produce electric containers for leading corporations such as Sumitomo Electric Industry (Japan), with products exported directly to demanding markets such as Japan and Korea.
- Modern production process, strict quality control: Each battery container manufactured at Hai Long Construction Factory undergoes a rigorous 6-step process, from material inspection, frame processing, assembly, finishing welding, insulation, cleaning - finishing painting to overall inspection before leaving the factory. A team of skilled engineers and workers ensures that the product meets all technical and safety standards.
- Advanced technology, meeting all technical requirements: Hai Long's electric storage containers integrate large-scale energy storage battery systems, using modern battery technology, intelligent management systems, fire protection, air conditioning and safety protection devices. The product is suitable for renewable energy projects, industry, industrial parks, etc.
- Strong production capacity, large scale: Owning three steel structure factories with a total output of up to 45.000 tons/year, Hai Long can meet special container orders with fast progress, consistent quality and continuous production expansion capability.
