11 RENEWABLE ENERGY POLICY IN VIETNAM
255
Grid Connection of Renewable Power Projects
Grid connection of renewable power projects come under the same
regulations as conventional power projects. These regulations include:
• Circular No. 12/2010/TT-BCT, dated 15 April 2010 of the
Ministry of Industry and Trade on regulations on the transmission
power system.
• Circular No. 39//2015/TT-BCT, dated 18 November 2015 of the
Ministry of Industry and Trade on regulations on the distribution
power system.
The first is applicable for power projects being connected to the
220 kV and higher voltage transmission lines, while the latter is applicable
for the lower voltage distribution lines (under 220 kV lines). Additionally, for power projects above 220 kV, developers need to conclude an
agreement with the National Power Transmission Corporation (NPT)
as per Decision No. 1449/QD-EVNNPT, dated 17 June 2015, which
covers regulations and procedures for connecting power plants to the
transmission grid.
Considering the technical differences between renewable energy
sources and conventional electricity generation sources, the connection of
renewable power projects raised several challenges to grid operation such
as predictability, non-synchronous generation, congestion, and decentralization. As the output of renewable power is volatile over time, the
amount generated consequently can be uncertain. Therefore, predicting
renewable power generation is crucial for ensuring the reliability and
quality of electricity, and the security of the power system.
Besides, renewable energy sources are often deployed in remote areas,
and sometimes at low voltage. The capacity of the grid needs to be
enhanced to transfer the amount of renewable power without encountering congestion due to voltage surges or overload. In case the renewable
energy sources are connected to the grid at low voltage, the distribution as
well as transmission grid need to be enhanced. At the same time, the agencies managing different voltage-level grids need to efficiently coordinate
to ensure the smooth operation of the power system.
255
Grid Connection of Renewable Power Projects
Grid connection of renewable power projects come under the same
regulations as conventional power projects. These regulations include:
• Circular No. 12/2010/TT-BCT, dated 15 April 2010 of the
Ministry of Industry and Trade on regulations on the transmission
power system.
• Circular No. 39//2015/TT-BCT, dated 18 November 2015 of the
Ministry of Industry and Trade on regulations on the distribution
power system.
The first is applicable for power projects being connected to the
220 kV and higher voltage transmission lines, while the latter is applicable
for the lower voltage distribution lines (under 220 kV lines). Additionally, for power projects above 220 kV, developers need to conclude an
agreement with the National Power Transmission Corporation (NPT)
as per Decision No. 1449/QD-EVNNPT, dated 17 June 2015, which
covers regulations and procedures for connecting power plants to the
transmission grid.
Considering the technical differences between renewable energy
sources and conventional electricity generation sources, the connection of
renewable power projects raised several challenges to grid operation such
as predictability, non-synchronous generation, congestion, and decentralization. As the output of renewable power is volatile over time, the
amount generated consequently can be uncertain. Therefore, predicting
renewable power generation is crucial for ensuring the reliability and
quality of electricity, and the security of the power system.
Besides, renewable energy sources are often deployed in remote areas,
and sometimes at low voltage. The capacity of the grid needs to be
enhanced to transfer the amount of renewable power without encountering congestion due to voltage surges or overload. In case the renewable
energy sources are connected to the grid at low voltage, the distribution as
well as transmission grid need to be enhanced. At the same time, the agencies managing different voltage-level grids need to efficiently coordinate
to ensure the smooth operation of the power system.