Hanoi Modernizes Power Grid with Large-Scale Battery Storage Systems

To address the increasing electricity demand and significant load fluctuations in the capital, Hanoi Electricity Corporation (EVNHANOI) has successfully installed and commissioned five Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) on its 110kV grid for trial operation. This marks a significant advancement in modernizing the city's power infrastructure and developing a smart grid, representing the first large-scale application of energy storage technology on the capital's power grid. Unlike conventional energy storage devices, BESS is a large-scale system directly connected to the power grid. It can store electricity during off-peak hours and release it back to the grid when needed, contributing to load regulation, enhanced operational flexibility, and improved power supply reliability. The five BESS units have been deployed at the 110kV substations of Bac Thang Long, Quang Minh, Sai Dong 2, Phung Xa, and Thanh Oai. Each system has a capacity of 10MW/20MWh, bringing the total storage capacity to 50MW/100MWh. The selection of these substations was based on a study of Hanoi's grid load characteristics, aiming to assess their ability to support load regulation and enhance system stability, thereby establishing a foundation for future energy storage operation models. Pham Huu Manh, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Power Development Project Management Board, stated, "The operation of BESS is not intended to replace existing power sources but to supplement the power system with a technical tool that makes it more proactive against load fluctuations. It also creates a foundation for researching modern grid operation models in the coming period." BESS is an entirely new technology for the capital's power grid. Beyond energy storage, each system integrates control, monitoring, protection systems, and multiple safety layers. Throughout the installation, testing, commissioning, and operational phases, EVNHANOI units have closely collaborated to ensure the systems meet all technical requirements and operate stably and safely. During operation, technical staff continuously monitor battery status, charging-discharging power, temperature, protection systems, and technical alerts. Each inspection follows strict procedures, with coordination between dispatch forces, technical management units, and on-site personnel to ensure all parameters remain within safe limits. This practical operation phase also provides EVNHANOI with an opportunity to accumulate data, refine technical procedures, assess equipment reliability, and build management experience for a technology that is still very new in Vietnam. Experts note that urban power grids are characterized by rapid load changes influenced by weather, time of day, and socio-economic development. Therefore, adding energy storage capacity will gradually transform the way power systems operate, moving from a model solely reliant on instantaneous supply to one capable of storing, regulating, and optimizing power sources according to actual demand. Crucially, the data gathered from this pilot phase will serve as a basis for EVNHANOI to evaluate and refine its technical models and consider expanding BESS applications in the future. This will contribute to promoting digital transformation, modernizing the grid, and meeting the demands of the energy transition. The commissioning of these five BESS units is not only a milestone in adopting new technology but also demonstrates EVNHANOI's commitment to embracing future trends in the power sector. In the coming time, EVNHANOI will continue to monitor and evaluate the operational efficiency of the BESS, refine technical procedures, and research suitable application solutions to build an increasingly smart, flexible, safe, and modern power grid for the capital. This will enhance the quality of electricity supply, meet the requirements of socio-economic development, and better serve the lives of nearly three million customers.