Four selected pilot areas include: High-tech Zone in District 9 under the management of Thu Thiem Power Company; Commercial office area along the road of Mac Dinh Chi - Le Duan - Nguyen Du - Ton Duc Thang in District 1 under the management of Saigon Power Company; Mieu Noi residential area in Phu Nhuan district under the management of Gia Dinh Power Company; Phu My Residential Area in District 7 under the management of Tan Thuan Power Company.
Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh – Deputy General Director of EVNHCMC introducing smart grid model – photo by: H. Thuong
Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh, Deputy General Director of EVNHCMC informed: The basic objective of the pilot projects is to improve the reliability of electricity supply, reduce power loss and use electricity economically and efficiently in the areas. In addition, these areas will be well equipped with infrastructure for developing future smart grid applications such as load balancing, power market operation, etc.
The criteria for the deployment of four typical smart grid pilot areas are: The area is powered by two 110kV substations to ensure there is back-up in case of power outage; 110kV substations supply unmaned operation, power-cutting stations are equipped with SCADA for remote control.
Medium voltage grids are operated in the automation model with the ability to automatically detect, isolate faults, and re-supply power to non-fault segments.
All customers in the area are equipped with a remote metrological meter to provide data for operational management of power companies and data on electricity consumption for customers.
Regional managing power companies are investing in modern information technology infrastructure to exploit the applications wholly and effectively to improve the management and the operation of the power grid.
"The Corporation will pilot these four areas to provide a basis for assessing the feasibility and effectiveness of smart grid implementation. If it is successful, EVNHCMC will replicate the smart grid model throughout the city in the coming years, "said Nguyen Van Thanh, Deputy General Director of EVNHCMC.
Additionally, the Corporation has also taken steps to pilot the Micro-Grid project at Quang Trung Software Park with the aim of piloting the smart grid model that has significant solar power to join the connection.