Operational Problems and Chalenges in Power System of Vietnam

Ngo Son Hai, Nguyen The Huu, National Load Dispatch Centre of Vietnam

Abstract - The Vietnamese power system is growing rapidly C. Vietnamese power system after 2004
both in terms of scale and complexity. The load growth rate After 10 years of operating 500kV lines, several projects
averages to 14% for the last 10 years. The development of the
constructing new lines and substations have been started from
Extra High Voltage network of 500kV and interconnections with
neighboring grids are the main characteristic of such growths.
mid-2004. Among them, the most important one being the
However the fast growth rate also brings problems in operating links of the second 500kV North – South line which went into
the network, for instance the short-circuit current becomes too operation in 2004 – 2005. The 500kV Phu Lam – Nha Be –
high or the difficulties in voltage regulation (Abstract). Phu My connects Phu My power generation centre (installed
capacity of 4000MW) to the 500kV network commenced
Index Terms – 500kV, Interconnection, Power market, Power operation in 2004.
system, Operation, 500kV, Short-circuit, Stability, Voltage
To date, the 500kV system has grown to become the
regulation (keyword)
backbone of the whole system, connecting not only heavily
I. HISTORY OF VIETNAMESE POWER SYSTEM loaded zones but also large generating power plants in Vietnam
DEVELOPMENTS (hydro generators in Son La, Hoa Binh, coal generators in
Quang Ninh, gas turbines centers in Phy My, O Mon). Outline
A. Vietnames power system prior to 1994: before the of 500kV network is shown in the Figure 1.
construction of the 500kV North – South line.
Before 1994, the Vietnamese power system was composed
of separate sub-systems managed by regional power
companies. These sub-systems are operated by system
operators from respective regional power companies. Due to
historical reasons, these systems utilized different types of
equipments with diverse origins. Some areas in the South used
two transmission voltage levels, 110kV and 66kV, with
interchanging roles. The lack of interconnections leads to
different operating problems, some areas have an excess of
energy while others experience a deficit.
The maximum national and regional demands at the end of
1994 are National 2820MW – Northern region 1463 MW –
Central Region 270 MW – Southern region 1151MW,
respectively [1].
B. Vietnamese power system from 1994 to 2004: the
introduction of the first 500kVNorth - South line
In 1994, the first extra high voltage (EHV) 500kV North-
South line went into operation and connected regional systems.
Starting with an initial length of 1488km, the 500kV EHV
North – South links regional systems of the North, Central and
South areas through 5 substations (Hoa Binh, Ha Tinh, Da
Nang, Pleiku, and Phu Lam). During the period of 1994 –
2000, the exchanged electricity among regions totaled to 40
billion kWh, equivalent to 13.8% of the national amount during
this time.
By the end of 2004, the demand of the national system –
North – Central – South regions were 8283MW – 3494MW –
853 MW – 4073MW respectively. The corresponding energy
amounts were 46,790 – 17,603 – 4,435 – 24,407 billion kWh. Fig. 1. Map of Vietnamese 500kV network – August, 2011
The average load growth for this period is 13.89% [1]. (Source: National Load Dispatch Centre of Vietnam)
 The operation of the 500kV line not only facilitates competitive generation market is to test the synchronism of the
transmissions and interconnections among regions but also legal framework, the level of adaptation of the technical
helps unite regional sub-systems into a single national power infrastructure and to familiarize participants as well as to assess
network. Advanced technologies have been applied, such as: the effects of the power market.
SCADA/EMS system, load shedding using F81 under
frequency protection, special load shedding system, automatic II. OPERATING PROBLEMS OF VIETNAMESE
reclosing system and other automation systems. The POWER SYSTEM
interconnection also enables a more economical load A. EHV transmission stability at 500kV
dispatching process, better utilization of hydro sources and
more efficient consumptions of gas for electricity generation. The 500kV line, as the backbone of the national power
network, plays an important role in balancing the power supply
By the end of 2010, the 500kV system has a total length of and demand. The geographical characteristics of the country,
3890km and 18 substations (total capacity of 10650 MVA). long and narrow, have affected the distribution of generation
The recorded load in 2010 is: national – 15,416MW; North – sources in Vietnam. Main generation sources include hydro
6,547MW; Central 1,648MW; South – 7,566MW. The plants, coal plants, and gas turbine plants (single cycle and
respective amount of energy generation are: national – 99,711 combined cycle). Large hydro plants mainly centered in the
billion kWh; North – 38,499 billion kWh; Central 9,536 billion North and West areas of the Northern Region. Coal plants are
kWh; South – 50,073 billion kWh [1]. constructed near primary energy sources in the East area of the
D. Power trading with neighboring countries Northern Region. Gas turbines are built in the Southern
Region. Because of this uneven distribution and the diverse
Starting from 2004, Vietnam power system began buying nature of primary sources as well as different operating modes,
power from China Southern Power Grid through 110kV lines. the 500kV North-South line frequently has to transmit a large
By the end of 2006, Vietnam purchased power from China amount of power between the North – South regions.
through both 110kV and 220kV lines. By the end of 2010, the Experience has proved that the power flow is often limited by
amount of energy purchased totaled to 16,939 billion kWh, the the boundary values of: (1) Voltage stability, (2) Transient
maximum power was 900 MW. In addition, from 2009, stability.
Vietnam began to operate the 220 kV line Chau Doc – Takeo
selling power to Cambodia with maximum capacity of 120 The voltage collapse limit of the 500kV line needs to be
MW. In the years of 2009 – 2010, 1,337 billion kWh was sold verified when the voltages of the busbars at receiving ends
to Cambodia. decreases. This can happen when the line is heavily loaded
(around 1000 MW for a single line and 1500 MW for two
Power trading among neighboring countries is a new step in parallel lines) provided that this happens during peak hours.
the international integration of Vietnam power industry. Calculations show that the system becomes susceptible to
However it also carries problems for the operating process instability when the voltage at the receiving end is lower than
including: the difference in rules and procedures, in operating 0.9 pu.
standards, the chain effects of faults from either sides, and
difference in languages (to communicate during network The transient stability limit of the 500kV line is violated
operation). Currently, the section of the power grid of Vietnam when the system becomes unstable after large disturbance such
that receives power from China is separated from the national as the tripping of a 500kV circuit breaker. Internal simulations
grid to connect to the Chinese grid, hence causing various carried out in NLDC have shown that instability can happen
operating problems. when the line is heavily loaded (1200MW for a single line and
1700MW for two parallel lines). The risk of instability is
E. Establishment and development of the National Load especially higher when 500kV substations Da Nang, Pleiku
Dispatch Centre (NLDC) operate with incomplete configurations (lacking one or more
Together with the event of the construction of the 500kV circuit breakers).
North – South line, the National Load Dispatch centre was The Danang – Pleiku connection is the middle link of the
established on April 11, 1994, and was responsible for the 500kV system and the transmitted power is usually high. Real
500kV network operation, generation scheduling and operation has experienced incidents where power swing
generators dispatching. At the end of 1998, regional Load
happens, activating the distance relay (F21) on this line.
Dispatch Centres in the North, Central and South regions,
previously under the supervision of Regional Power Many instability incidents have been recorded since the
Companies, were merged into NLDC, forming a united system operation of the 500kV lines. Typical contingencies in the past
operator with two level of authority: national and regional, that resulted in instability are: (1) One incident at 14h:43 on
operating the transmission network at 110kV, 220kV and December 27, 2006 at 500kV Pleiku substation. A 500kV
500kV voltage levels; planning and dispatching generation circuit breaker did not trip as commanded due to the loss of its
orders. DC source. A Breaker Failure relay acted upon the failure,
tripping a busbar of Pleiku substation. Unfortunately, during
In 2005, NLDC was given the responsibility of operating
that time, another circuit breaker connected to the other busbar
the internal pilot power market of Vietnam Electricity (EVN).
of Pleiku was out of operation, causing the power to flow from
This was an internal competitive generation market with 8
Ialy to Phu Lam and back to Pleiku busbar and then to Da
EVN power plants as participants: Ba Ria, Da Nhim – Ham
nang. The power swing happened in this case because of the
Thuan – Da Mi, Ninh Binh, Pha Lai, Phu My, Thac Ba, Thac
weak interconnection. Network configuration at the time of the
Mo, Uong Bi.
incident occurs is presented in the Figure 2. Simulation of
Beginning from July 1, 2011, NLDC takes a role of the power swing is recorded in Figure 3.
market operator of the Vietnamese competitive generation
market (VCGM) with 48 participating plants (61% of the
system’s total installed capacity) [5]. This first phase of
 The system’s resistance to instability has increased
significantly when most of the substations operate with
transformers, especially when the link is operating with two
complete parallel lines. With two parallel lines, the voltage and
transient stability limits have both improved.
B. Voltage regulation of EHV 500kV network
Voltage issues: voltage regulation of power system that
includes 500kV faces many obstacles because of long lines and
the load curve. Voltages on 500kV busbars normally range
between 0.95 – 1.02 pu. However, in some cases, the voltage
can fluctuate in a wider range of 0.9 – 1.04 pu. Operation in
Fig. 2. Network configuration at the time of power swing, Dec 27th , 2006 such conditions poses many risks such as: insulators ageing
(Source: National Load Dispatch Centre of Vietnam) faster, reactive power pushed to 220kV causing transformer
overload, etc.
Low voltage usually occurs at 500kV busbars at the
receiving ends during peak hours plus the line is heavily
loaded. Low voltage increases the loss and threatens the system
stability.
High voltage usually occurs during holidays or at late night,
early morning, when the system load is low. In some
circumstances, operators have to trip one of the two parallel
lines to reduce the voltage, lowering the system’s supplying
reliability.
Another difficulty for voltage regulation is that most of the
shunt reactors are directly connected to the lines without circuit
breakers, which causes inflexibility in operation of the system.
Therefore, in the near future, Vietnam is promoting research
and development of the application of switchable inductors
Fig. 3. Simulation of power swing in DaNang-Pleiku line, Dec 27th , 2006
and/or controllable compensators. At the present, Vietnam has
(Source: National Load Dispatch Centre of Vietnam) already installed 500kV shunt reactors with circuit breakers at
Nho Quan, Dak Nong, Tan Dinh, O Mon substations.
(2) Power swing at 500kV Da Nang substation: at 11h30 on
April 24, 2008, there was power swing on the 500kV Pleiku – C. High fault current in 220kV network
Da nang line. Distance relay F21 at Da nang station recognized With a total of 10,015 km of line length and 102 substations
the swing on the line. At this time, the 500kV Da Nang – Ha where 220kV level is present (including 500/220kV and
Tinh link was operating with a single circuit. The Pleiku – Da 220/110kV transformers), the 220kV lines are the main
Nang was transmitting 1040MW, Da Nang – Ha Tinh was regional transmission link. The installed capacity of generators
transmitting 690MW. connected to 220kV network is 16,478 MW by the end of 2010
The swing caused the circuit breakers to trip the 500kV Da (63.7% of the national system’s installed capacity). The short-
Nang – Ha Tinh, Da Nang – Pleuku lines. The system was circuit current at some busbars in the 220kV grid has exceeded
separated at Ha Tinh – Da Nang. The over-voltage relay the rated current of circuit breakers. Computation from NLDC
followed and tripped the Ha Tinh – Nho Quan line. Record of proved that the fault current at large 220kV substations located
the swing is shown in Figure 4. near load centres and connected to a number of generators is
higher than 40kA, which is the common rated current of most
of 220kV circuit breakers. This causes the threat of fault
spreading and in the worst case, might corrupt a part of the
system.
Currently, in order to secure the operation, a temporary
solution is applied, which separates the busbars to reduce the
concentration of the fault current at busbars of Phu My, Phu
Lam in the South. Most recent calculations (2011) have shown
that others nodes also require the separation of busbars
including Hoa Binh, Pha Lai (in the North) and Nam Sai Gon
(in the South). Nonetheless, this temporary method also results
in some negative consequences: (1) increased loss because the
power flow is forced, (2) reduced flexibility in operations, (3)
lower reliability, (4) less efficiency in economic operation.
Vietnam is looking into other solutions such as installing
series reactors to reduce the fault current, requesting new
generators not to worsening the fault current by installation of
fault current limitation equipment at generator’s sites and
Fig. 4. Power swing recorded at Da nang 500kV Substation, Apr 24th , 2008 taking into account the problem of short-circuit current into
(Source: National Load Dispatch Centre of Vietnam) power system planning. Among them, the idea of series
reactors is an actual method which yields positive results in the technical standards for the whole area, at least for the
short-term. Nevertheless, Vietnam is not experienced in this parameters required during operation.
matter. Thus, the problem of short-circuit currents is not
expected to be satisfactorily solved in the next few years. A The idea of promoting interconnection between China
complete solution to this problem is still being researched. southern grid and Vietnamese grid through HVDC at 500kV
has been raised for few years. By using HVDC, Vietnam hopes
III. CHALLENGES TO THE OPERATION OF to thoroughly resolve the current issue of operating separate
VIETNAMES POWER SYSTEM IN THE NEAR FUTURE systems. At the same time, the power exchange with the
neighboring country will become safer.
A. Limiting the fault current
Collaboration among system operators is also a key
Existing regulations, the Gird Code [3], set the maximum problem. It includes from dispatching authority and
allowable fault currents for the corresponding communicating languages. From previous experiences, since
500kV/220kV/110kV voltage levels are 40kA/40kA/31.5kA, the current power trading is usually carried out in one
respectively. At the moment, NLDC’s calculation shows that direction, meaning one side is always the buyer – the other
the fault currents at 220kV centre and near large generation side is always the seller, the operation is fairly simple and the
sources have passed the limit of 40kA. Various solutions have communicating language is the language of the selling partner.
been proposed in section II.C but only temporary. However, the progressing level of integration and more
interconnections necessitate a more definite set of rules of
The true challenges for the operation of the power system
collaboration among system operators. The communicating
are exposed when the quantity of generators grow very quick
language should be English, since it is the most popular
with the total installed capacity almost doubles by the end of
language in the area.
2015. Preliminary calculation shows that the fault current at
most of 500kV, 220kV busbars at load centres in Hanoi, C. System operation in accordance with market-based rules
Haiphong, Ho Chi Minh City, Dong nai and other generation Decision 26/2006/QD – TTg of the Prime Minister defines
centres such as Quang Ninh, O Mon, My Tho are all higher the three developing phases of a competitive power market
than the allowed current. A simultaneous comprehensive [2]. The period of 2005 – 2014 employs the model of a
solution of both planning and operating to limit the fault competitive generation single buyer market. The period of
current on the transmission network is urgently required for 2015 – 2022 will be the competitive wholesaling phase and
securing the operation. A number of these solutions are as after 2022 is will be a retailing market. Figure 5 shows the
follows: roadmap for establishment and development of the electricity
(1) The planning solution: the transmission grid in large market in Vietnam. However, from the system operator’s
urban areas is 500kV ring circuit, each 500kV perspective, the transition from a centralized system to a
substation supply 2 to 4 220kV substations, 220kV deregulated system itself carries certain difficulties.
network has ring configuration but operate as an
open circuit. The method can be applied to city Phase 3: Competitive Retail
centres, which are heavily loaded areas, such as Phase 2: Competitive
Market (CRM)

Wholesale market (CWM)

Hanoi, Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai Phase 1: Competitve
Generation Market (CGM)
and surrounding areas.
2005 2009 2014 2016 2022 2024
(2) Imposing standard inductance values for step-up
transformers within a sufficient range, together with
supplementing Superconducting Fault Current
Complete CGM

Complete CWM

Complete CRM
Buyer market
Trial Single

Pilot CWM

Pilot CRM

Limiter that can be applied in a number of

distribution or transmission areas to reduce the fault
currents.
(3) Considering mandatory requirements for key
Fig. 5. Roadmap for electricity market development in Vietnam
locations that need circuit breakers with higher (Source: Decision No. 26/2006/QD-TTg dated January 26, issued by the Prime
rated current. Minister, approving the development phases and establishing requirements of a
power market in Vietnam)
B. Operating standards of a power system with
interconections with other nations First of all, the load dispatch completely depends on the
bids, which do not follow a preplanned schedule. This might
In the future, the cooperation and power exchange among
neighboring countries are certain. The connection shall bring cause overload, bottle-neck or local over-voltage, under-
benefits similar to those of unifying regional sub-systems voltage at certain buses. The operator has to perform analysis
within a nation. Besides, this is also an opportunity to develop of system security and reliability with extra measures to
an inter-country power market (possibly among countries in the prevent such problems.
Indochina peninsula or even Asean countries). However, Secondly, the market payments based on metered values
interconnection with outside system may create new challenges demands an accurate metering system as well as a high level
to the operating process. The first and foremost is the setting of of transparency and fairness.
technical standards (applying to connecting equipments, Thirdly, the tight supply at the moment and the fact that
operating modes, fault responses, etc.). Between two many power plants are not used to the bid-based operation, the
electrically interconnected nations, there is usually a bids of participants will usually orients towards the high end
negotiation process to standardize all technical requirements. of the bid caps. Consequently, it affects the economic target of
But for interconnections among more than two countries, there the system.
is a need for the establishment of a common system of Finally, previous experiences in constructing and operating
power markets at some areas around the world (the Nordic
countries [6], Singapore, New Zealand) have shown that the current, hybrid AC/DC, reactive power control, effects of
investment from non-government sector mostly goes into the nuclear power plants to the grid, pumped storage hydro power
generation sector, the investment for the transmission system plants, etc.
usually depend on state companies (usually the Power
REFERENCES
Transmission Companies), resulting in pressures on the
transmission network, which in general cause various [1] National Load Dispatch Centre, Annual Operating Summary 2010 and
appendices.
problems in the actual operation. This condition can be
[2] Decision No. 26/2006/QD-TTg dated January 26, 2006 issued by the
resolved if the government can construct a reasonable Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, approving the
transmission tariff, enough for reinvesting in the transmission development phases and establishing requirements of a power market in
system or encourages non-government sectors to invest in Vietnam.
transmission system (the case of Australia [7]). [3] Decision No. 12/2010/TT-BCT dated April 15, 2010 issued by the
Minister of Ministry of Industry and Trade, approving the Grid Code.
IV. CONCLUSION [4] Decision No. 1208/2011/QD-TTg dated July 21, 2011 issued by the
Prime Minister of Vietnam approving the Master plan of Vietnam power
In this paper, operational problems in power system of developments for the period of 2011 – 2020, taking into accounts year
Vietnam are presented. Many difficulties in operation has been 2030.
identified since the introduction of the 500kV extra high [5] Dantri Online, http://dantri.com/vn/c76/x76-494482/khoi-dong-thi-
voltage, in which three most critical ones are described in this truong-phat-dien-canh-tranh.htm
paper that include stabilities, voltage regulation and high fault [6] Grid Investments from a Nordic Perspective – Nordic Energy Regulators
current. In the new environment of globalization and recommendations,
https://www.nordicenergyregulators.org/.../Nordic_grid_conclusions.pdf
liberalization of the electricity industry, there are challenges
that the operators have to face up to. [7] ACCC (Australian Competition & Consumer Commission) - State of the
Energy market 2009 – Chapter 5, Figure 5.2, Page 128.
According to the Master Plan [4] regarding power sector
development during the period of 2011 – 2015, the sum of the
produced energy and the imported energy approximates to
about 194 – 210 billion kWh by 2015, which is twice the BIOGRAPHIES
current demand. Vietnam will also keep developing the EHV
500kV network. The total length of newly constructed lines is Ngo Son Hai was born in Quang Ninh, Vietnam, in
expected to be equal to the current length; the capacity of 1968. He received the B.E. degree in power
electrical engineering from Hanoi University of
transformers will be 1.7 times that of the existing total
Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam, in 1991, and the
capacity. Recognizing these challenges, NLDC has defined the MEngSc degree in power electrical engineering
operating strategies for the operation the power system from University of New South Wales, Sydney,
including: Australia, in 1999, and the EMBA degree from
Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand,
(1) Applying the State-of-the-art automation technology for in 2008.
power system operation such as a new SCADA/EMS In 1991, he joined the Dispatching Department of
(hardware, software, database, and telecommunication) to Hanoi Power Company, as a dispatcher. Since 1994, he has been with the
support the system and market operation. National Load Dispatch Centre (NLDC), Hanoi, Vietnam where he was an
Power System Operator in 1994, became a Deputy Manager of Dispatching
(2) Staff training in specialized fields and foreign language for Department in 1997, and a Manager of Dispatching Department in 2001, a
Manager of Economic Operation Department in 2005, became a Deputy
system analysis engineers, system operators as well as market
Director of NLDC in 2006, and a Director of NLDC in 2011. His experiences
operators. include power transmission network operation, power system operation
planning, power generation scheduling and dispatching in the large system,
(3) Constructing standard rules and procedures in operating power market operation.
system and market to comply with the laws, available capacity
and actual ability (of the power system). Nguyen The Huu was born in Vietnam, in 1979.
He studied electrical engineering at Hanoi
(4) Cooperating with domestic and international research University of Technology in Vietnam, graduating
centres and specialists, applying technical solutions to increase with with a B.E. degree in 2001. He joined the
the reliability and stability of the transmission system such as National Load Dispatch Centre (NLDC), Hanoi,
installing new automatic systems including direct load control, Vietnam in 2001 and working as power system
fault recording on 500kV network, recognizing and analysis engineer. From May 2011, Huu became
deputy manager of Power System Analysis and
suppressing outage spreading systems, etc. Planing Department, NLDC. His special field of
(5) Strengthening the research of new issues in power system interest include electric power systems operation
and planing, power market operation.
operation for short-term and mid-term periods such as direct