Vietnam's Grid Faces Heatwave Strain with Power Plant Outages
Vietnam's National Power Grid Corporation is implementing measures to ensure electricity supply during a heatwave from August 11-16. This comes as several coal power plants in the northeast have shut down for repairs, reducing capacity by over 1,000 MW.
Key takeaways
- Vietnam's northern power grid experienced operational challenges during a heatwave from August 11-16.
- Over 1,000 MW of capacity was lost due to coal power plant repairs in the northeast.
- The National Power Grid Corporation (NSMO) is deploying strategies to manage demand and ensure supply.
- NSMO is evaluating potential transmission capacity increases and substation upgrades.
- Renewable energy integration requires enhanced meteorological forecasting and operational planning.
What Happened
Vietnam's northern electricity grid is managing operational challenges during a heatwave that occurred between August 11 and August 16. The National Power Grid Corporation (NSMO) has issued directives to monitor load development and power sources closely, prioritizing resources and flexible coordination, especially during peak usage times.
These measures are being taken as some coal power plants in the northeast region are offline for repairs, resulting in a capacity reduction exceeding 1,000 MW. The NSMO is also reviewing and preparing to bolster its operational workforce and assess the northern power system's responsiveness.
Key Facts
- The heatwave in northern Vietnam occurred from August 11 to August 16.
- Several coal power plants in the northeast region were offline for repairs, reducing capacity by over 1,000 MW.
- The National Power Grid Corporation (NSMO) is implementing operational measures to ensure electricity supply.
- NSMO is considering activating series capacitor banks at the 500-kV Nho Quan substation to potentially increase transmission capacity by 300-400 MW.
- The Department for Electricity Market Operation is tasked with updating daily load forecasts and system availability, coordinating coal power plant mobilization, and reviewing grid work that could impact supply security.
- The department is also responsible for implementing plans to strengthen standby readiness and mobilize small hydropower plants during peak hours (12:30-15:30 and 21:00-23:30).
- NSMO has requested the commissioning of transformer AT1 at Pho Noi 500-kV substation and transformer AT7 at Ha Dong 220-kV substation.
- Optimization of transformer tap changer settings is being coordinated to reduce voltage loss and improve system voltage stability.
- For renewable energy, NSMO requires enhanced night shifts for accurate meteorological forecasts and generation capacity, with daily updates on weather trends, temperature, precipitation, and wind/solar energy forecasts.
- A drone was used to inspect and monitor the 110-kV substation in Hai Quang commune, Ninh Binh province, during operation.
Background
The electricity department is coordinating adjustments for coal power plants in the north, which had reduced capacity due to emissions and cooling water standards. Efforts are underway to maximize capacity during peak demand periods.
The operational management is reviewing work on the 500-kV electricity network that might affect the security of the northern supply, with plans to postpone or reschedule such activities if necessary. Small hydropower plants are to be mobilized during specific peak hours.
Additionally, the commissioning of specific transformers at the Pho Noi and Ha Dong substations is requested to support the northern power supply. Measures to reduce voltage loss and enhance voltage stability through transformer tap settings are also in progress.
Renewable energy sources require improved night shift operations for accurate weather predictions and generation capacity assessment. Daily meteorological trend updates, including temperature, precipitation, and wind and solar energy forecasts, are needed to aid in operational planning.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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