Nalin Wickramasingher, Powerledger's BD and Sales Executive, and Le Thi Phuong Cam (L), EVNCPC's Deputy General Director, announced the partnership. (Photo courtesy of Powerledger)The initial 6-month trial will see Powerledger’s technology usedby so-called “prosumers” with rooftop solar in central Da Nang city and QuangNam province to sell electricity directly to consumers.
“This project is a major step for Vietnam. It will showcase how,with the right technology, issues of intermittency and grid congestion can beovercome whilst still growing renewables. Everyone on both sides of thepartnership is looking forward to the results,” said Powerledger Chairman DrJemma Green.
Vietnam has become the world’s tenth-largest producer of solarpower, and is the biggest solar power producer in the ASEAN region.
However, the increase in renewables has created imbalances for thegrid which has resulted in intermittency issues.
“Powerledger is the leading player in this space and we’re veryexcited about going into this pilot with them. As the energy landscape evolves,EVNCPC is committed to exploring new ways to meet our climate goals and thechanging needs of our customers," said EVNCPC spokesperson Do MinhCuong.
“This pilot project with Powerledger is a demonstration of thatcommitment and will help to shape the future of Vietnamese energy in years tocome.”
Powerledger said the trial is expected to demonstrate howtechnology can be used to reduce energy costs, improve price transparency byestablishing a Local Energy Market or LEM.
“By taking this approach, there is a financial incentive toencourage energy usage that aligns with intermittent generation fromrenewables, increasing the utility and profitability of renewable assets andreducing the peaks in energy demand,” said Dr Green.
This approach will in turn reduce stress and strain on the energygrid, reducing curtailment and maintenance efforts, as well as increasing theresilience of the network.
“Austrade is delighted to support Powerledger and EVNCPC on thisground-breaking project that will support Vietnam’s energy transitionambitions. As part of our 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, we lookforward to welcoming Powerledger representatives back to Vietnam for the forumto share their story and build more relationships in Vietnam,” said SeniorTrade and Investment Commissioner for Vietnam and Cambodia, Rebecca Ball.
The outcomes of the trial will be shared with electricityregulators and policymakers in Vietnam, to inform future decisions abouttechnology-led solutions which enable greater proliferation of renewableenergy.
“This trial will also help to design suitable price mechanisms forP2P networks in Vietnam, based on the existing tariff structures and enablesecure blockchain transactions,” said Dr Green.
Powerledger has more than 30 projects in 12 countries includingEurope, Asia Pacific, North and South America, including some of the largestdistribution and transmission utilities, businesses, energy retailers and propertydevelopers globally./.
VNA
