ABB’s solid presence continues

Corporations such as ABB can provide know-how in order to ensure the correct development of power generation

Swiss-Swedish multinational corporation ABB, which operates in robotics, power, electrical equipment and automation technology, had a strong 2018, being selected to help deliver generation and grid connections for over two gigawatts (GW) in various ventures in Vietnam. These projects range in size from a 75 kilowatts peak (kWp) solar power installation at the firm’s factory in the northern province of Bac Ninh, to utility-scale solar farms across the country.

Although hydro and thermal are currently the two largest power sources in the country, both are facing challenges to meet increased demand. Hydropower is almost fully exploited while coal-fired thermal power plants are facing increasing opposition due to their environmental impacts. New power generation is therefore increasingly vital to fuel continued economic growth and to address the country’s sustainability commitments.

Vietnam is transitioning to renewable energy sources to maintain competitive electricity generation and to deliver increased capacity quickly. Among renewable energy sources, solar energy in Vietnam has been making great strides in the last 12 months.

“Vietnam is at an exciting phase of its development,” said Brian Hull, country managing director of ABB in Vietnam. “The decisions and investment made now and in the next few years for solar generation, storage, transmission and distribution will have long lasting implications for future generations. ABB, with project experience in several GW’s of solar generation globally and the mix of global knowledge and local experience, will support realising the government’s ambition for a sustainable energy ecosystem.”

A solid track record in the solar industry since the 1990s, with expertise in solar energy globally and in Southeast Asia in particular, has given confidence to investors and developers to use the firm’s technology. In Vietnam, the corporation has a well-established presence in various economic sectors and in the power business in particular. Orders placed in solar energy include full electrical balance of plant and SCADA systems, 220 kilovolts (kV) and 110kV grid substations, inverters and medium-voltage switchgear. For utility-scale applications ABB’s leading central inverter, the PVS980, provides the ideal solution. Equipped with a highly efficient and self-contained thermosiphon liquid free cooling system, it has been chosen by many investors to ensure optimal performance for up to 25 years regardless of how extreme the climate conditions are. A dedicated local expert service team also helps ensure smooth installation, commissioning and grid connection and responds to any issues during the lifetime of the project.

For rooftop projects, the firm’s three-phase solar string inverters along with ABB Weather Station and other technologies assure optimal performance with high automation while ensuring cost and space savings, and they have been widely used in the country.

Timely delivery is one of the factors that investors take into account for the execution of their project. With its manufacturing facilities in Vietnam currently serving local customers and exporting to more than 60 countries worldwide, ABB’s local manufacturing footprint enables them to meet all requirements. The corporation has supplied power transformers and high efficiency inverter transformers manufactured by its factories in Hanoi to help developers minimise installation time on site. They have also developed skids solutions containing inverters and MV switchgears delivered by their Bac Ninh facility. While maintaining ABB’s top standards in quality and safety, local manufacturing allows faster delivery and lowers the customer’s cost base.

For the next ­industrial development phase, the business is ready to provide a range of battery storage ­solutions to help ensure solar power generation continues to develop without putting ­unnecessary stress on the grid. ABB sees energy storage ­solutions as key part of the ­future grid in order to ­efficiently utilise renewable ­energy.