Storage systems vital to renewable energy boom: expert

The country’s 20.1-gigawatt of total supply from solar and wind power projects is relatively large, but utilizing these sources is difficult due to limitations in electricity transmission and distribution, said Sunita Dubey, Vietnam Country Representative of the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet.

Although renewable power supply accounts for almost 27% of total installed capacity, northern Vietnam still records electricity shortages as most renewable projects are located in the central and southern regions.

Under the latest power development plan, Vietnam aims to have renewable supply accounting for 47% of all sources by 2030.

To do this, the country needs to focus on developing policies for Battery Energy Storage System to ensure the reliability and safety of renewable sources, said Dubey.

Vietnam eyes to have 300 megawatts of BESS by 2030, or 0.2% of total supply, which seems to be a modest target if the country wants nearly half of its electricity sources being renewable, she said.

"Vietnam needs an action plan and clear policies to achieve its targets," she said, adding that so far only private renewable power projects have trialed BESS development.

Some companies such as VinES and Fluence have developed and assembled BESS.

Recently two Chinese companies have approached the government to invest up to $900 million in building a BESS factory in Vietnam.

In several markets such as Taiwan, South Korea and India, BESS are being developed.