Dr. Chao Shun Chen – A lecturer from I-Shou University, an expert from Taiwan Power Company:
Building automation system
With the aim of power loss reduction, , Taiwan Power Company has built and developed a smart grid with automatic distribution system consisting of three types of operating structure: closed loop (applicable to important loads), open loop and simple structure (applicable to rural areas). As a result, Taiwan's power loss rate had been declining from 6.02% in 1990 to 3.72% in 2015; and now is the second lowest in the world.
In addition, the use of automation equipment has increased the reliability of the power system; reducing the system average interruption duration (SAIDI) in Taiwan from 1 hour to 2 minutes.
This technology is absolutely applicable to Vietnam and Taiwan Power Company is willing to share its experience in assisting other countries to reduce their power losses. However, Vietnam faces its own difficulties, so it is necessary to harmoniously balance between capital intensive investments in power loss reduction and other more urgent tasks, such as: investments in power generation, construction of transmission system, low voltage distribution grid, etc.
Mr. Hou Yiming, an expert from the China Electric Power Research Institute:
Clear solutions should be identified
In the process of transmission and distribution, power loss is unavoidable. In 2016, the electricity output of the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) was 3,601.1 billion kWh and the power loss rate was 6.75% (decreasing by 0.03% compared to 2015).
In order to reduce the power loss rate, the State Grid Corporation of China has introduced two main solutions: technical solutions and management solutions.
Technical solutions are divided into two parts. The first part is planning related solution: SGCC rotates and removes transformers which have high power loss, reducing power supply radius, substituting larger conductors and distributing reasonably reactive power in the grid. The second part is operation related solution: SGCC adjusts voltage, increasing capacity factor, rationalizing load dispatch and operating transformers economically.
With regard to management solutions, SGCC strengthens management of power grid losses, promotes management of measurement and instrumentation, operates the power system economically, at the same time enhances demand side management, actively manages power trading contracts, and intensively performs energy conservation measures.
Mr. Bek Chee Jin - Project Director, International Copper Association Southeast Asia Ltd.:
Balance between investment and outcome
The reduction of power loss in Vietnam relies on how much to be invested in this goal. It is very difficult to compare the power loss in Vietnam with that of other countries in the region. For example, Singapore is a small country with high population density, loads are so densely distributed so Singapore’s loss rate is not a good example for Vietnam to learn from. Vietnam should consider experiences of countries / cities, regions with similar geographic and population conditions to learn from.
In fact, the balance between investment and outcome is a challenge not only to Vietnam but also to other countries around the world, the common question is that how much should be spent to reduce power loss rate. For example, buying high efficiency transformers, laying underground cables or purchasing modern equipment to monitor electricity grid would be costly and need a great budget to realize this goal.
Prof. Tran Dinh Long - Vice Chairman of Vietnam Electricity Association:
Large investment for distribution grid
Power loss is a common concern of the whole society. From the state management perspective, power loss relates to the policy of energy saving and efficiency.
EVN plans to continuously diminish the power system loss and strive to reach the power loss rate of 6.5% by the year 2020. This is a challenging goal, as it depends heavily on investments in the construction of generation and grid projects, especially distribution grid projects. Currently, the transmission network of our country is in a relatively good condition, therefore the roadmap to reduce the power loss rate between now and 2020 should focus on the distribution grid which has the highest power loss rate. In many regions, especially in rural and remote areas, the distribution grids before being taken over by EVN from rural electricity selling organizations had been severely degraded.
In addition, power generation sources should be located rationally in order to mitigate long – distance transmission of electricity. If power generation projects are performed in accordance with their tentative schedule in the Power Development Master Plan No. VII approved by the Prime Minister, power generation sources in our country will be distributed rationally and thus EVN's power loss reduction target will be achievable.