Installing solar panels combined with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) will help avoid wasting excess electricity during peak sunny periods, supplementing power during evenings. Importantly, storage batteries contribute to stabilizing the power grid, mitigating fluctuations due to weather conditions.

To encourage individuals and businesses to invest in storage batteries, experts suggest financial support policies, particularly researching appropriate pricing mechanisms for reselling electricity back when national grid demand peaks, especially in the evening.

Dual benefits of storage installation After multiple meetings on Vietnam’s solar power development mechanisms, the latest focus for citizens and businesses is Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha’s suggestion for policy drafters to calculate the pricing mechanism for buying electricity from storage systems.

Mr. Ha proposed that the Ministry of Industry and Trade study methods to incentivize and financially support individuals installing rooftop solar panels combined with energy storage devices for resale to the Vietnam Electricity (EVN) at peak rate times.

In discussions with Tuoi Tre about Vietnam’s new energy storage mechanism, businesses agree that regulations on installing storage devices are crucial, potentially mandatory for large-scale solar power plants to ensure grid stability.

Le Anh Vu, director of an energy company, notes that while storage costs have reduced, the initial investment in solar and storage systems is still considerable, making return on investment slower. Therefore, investing in storage for electricity resale to the national grid may not be effective without a pricing mechanism that values electricity from storage systems higher during peak hours.

Previously, electricity prices from solar systems were fixed, but now higher prices during peak hours are necessary to encourage businesses to store electricity during low-demand times and sell during high-demand periods. Only then will individuals feel confident investing in storage, according to Mr. Vu.

Similarly, Nguyen Thuy Ngan, SolarBK’s brand director, points out that despite business interest in storage, high costs and unclear policies have led to hesitancy.

Ngan emphasizes the need for supportive tax and fee policies to reduce installation costs, enabling businesses to confidently invest in storage.

Regulations needed for storage ratios in solar installations In an interview with Tuoi Tre, Pham Phuoc Binh, director of Bincon Corporation, states that integrating solar power with storage will address renewable energy instability issues, especially solar’s volatility.

He highlights that irregular power supply can strain EVN’s grid management, but storage batteries can alleviate some of these challenges. However, Binh stresses the importance of technical considerations for safe operation and rational investment.

Specifically, systems combining solar power with storage utilize integrated inverters with charging and programming systems optimized for solar radiation and grid interaction.

Therefore, existing solar power systems, already grid-connected, must calculate replacement costs, especially integrating new storage systems with higher capacities than new investment projects. Additionally, space considerations are crucial for safe installation, particularly ensuring fire safety.

Nguyen Van Tuan, director of a solar installation company in Ho Chi Minh City, views storage batteries as foundational for grid stability, providing backup power for EVN during electricity shortages, especially at night or during summer peaks.

To maintain system stability, Tuan recommends regulations requiring a suitable storage ratio (e.g., 10-20% of total installation capacity), ensuring consistent power supply even during adverse weather.

Cost of storage batteries

Responding to Tuoi Tre, Tran Thi Thu Van, SolaX Power’s national director, notes significant reductions in storage battery costs recently, making it feasible for individuals to invest under 100 million VND for systems with capacities around 6-7 kW.
Elva Wang, Southeast Asia director at Trina Solar, states that storage battery prices have dropped by 50% since last year, with common systems costing around $3,000 – $5,000 for 5 kW storage.

New electricity consumption record

On June 21st, the Vietnam Electricity Corporation (EVN) reported record highs in maximum capacity and daily electricity consumption nationwide for June, driven by increased demand during recent sunny periods.
Data from the National Power System Dispatch Center shows peak capacity reached 49,533 MW at 1:30 PM on June 19th, with total consumption on June 14th hitting 1.025 billion kWh nationwide.
EVN notes that without recent evening rain, record electricity consumption could have been even higher, placing significant strain on supply.

The program began with a speech from Mrs. Pham Thi Thanh Yen, the head of the delegation, who explained why the university chose Nam Cau Kien Industrial Park for their students’ practical experience.

According to Mrs. Yen: “Nam Cau Kien Industrial Park is renowned nationwide for pioneering the ecological model. We hope our students gain practical insights and experiences from the enterprise. This is very practical for our environmental technology students in terms of knowledge, as well as career orientation after graduation.�?/p>

In discussions with the students, the company representative, Mr. Hoang Tuan Anh – General Director, shared practical insights about the nearly 16-year journey of developing Nam Cau Kien Industrial Park into an ecological industrial zone, including how waste is managed and controlled in the park.

“To achieve this result, the experienced and dedicated leadership team of Shinec, along with all employees, had to overcome numerous challenges to create a model ecological industrial park like Nam Cau Kien. Shinec is now on the path to expanding the ecological industrial park model across the country,�?Mr. Hoang Tuan Anh shared.

After direct discussions with Shinec’s leadership, the students toured the wastewater treatment plant with a capacity of 2,000m3/day and night, located in Shinec’s record-setting Japanese Garden in Vietnam. Here, an environmental expert (in a red shirt) directly shared information and addressed the students’ queries.

Below are some images from the field trip of Hanoi University of Industry’s Environmental Technology students.

Special Guest: Cherie Russell, Advisor, Development Cooperation, Australian Embassy in Vietnam.

Speakers:

• Ha Thu Thanh, Chairwoman of VBCWE and Deloitte Vietnam President
• Pham Hong Diep, Chairman of Shinec
• Nguyen Thi Thoa, Deputy CEO of Regina Miracle International Vietnam
• Hoang Hong Diep, CEO of Van Der Leun Vietnam
• Bui Van Binh, Chairman of Tan Thuan Phong
• Nguyen Thi Vinh, President of Thai Nguyen Businesswomen Association

Participants: Representatives from Nam Cau Kien Industrial Park, various women’s business associations, and production enterprises.

In her opening speech, Cherie Russell expressed Australia’s support for empowering female workers in Vietnam’s private sector: “For over fifty years, the Australian Government has accompanied Vietnam’s development. We support this initiative today because we believe in Vietnam’s success, which is significant for Australia. A stable, prosperous, and secure Vietnam benefits not only Vietnam but also the region, including Australia and Vietnam.�?/p>

Sharing at the workshop, Ha Thu Thanh stated: “Empowering female workers in enterprises within industrial parks is part of a series of activities promoting workplace gender equality and women’s empowerment that VBCWE has been conducting for over six years. Today, this workshop is officially organized at Nam Cau Kien Industrial Park, a green industrial park in terms of environment, society, and governance, to continue spreading activities that empower female workers.�?/p>

The workshop “Empowering Female Workers in Industrial Enterprises – Creating Social Value in ESG�?was organized with four objectives:

1. Connect industrial park leaders in Nam Cau Kien, sharing successful experiences and effective strategies to build a green and equitable industrial environment.
2. Raise awareness of gender equality in the workplace and transform this awareness into specific action programs to empower female workers.
3. Exchange and learn methods to enhance the empowerment of female workers in industrial parks.
4. Discuss policies and activities to support female workers, and promote the role of unions in creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment for female workers.

Sharing about gender equality efforts at Shinec, Pham Hong Diep, Chairman of the Board, affirmed: “Shinec is a pioneer in transforming the traditional industrial park model, developing eco-friendly and sustainable industrial parks in Vietnam. At Shinec, our goal is not just to meet green development criteria, but to build industrial parks that bring happiness to everyone. Recently, we implemented and published an ESG report on sustainable development. The ESG report will be evaluated and published annually as Shinec’s highest commitment to achieving green, sustainable development, naturally including the creation of a gender-equal work environment.�?/p>

Within the framework of the workshop, a discussion session was held on the topic: The role of leadership in creating a diverse, equal, and inclusive working environment in the industrial park.

Through the discussion, speakers shared experiences in developing human resources by establishing HR policies that support female leaders and workers, thereby promoting sustainable business development. At Van Der Leun Vietnam, CEO Hoang Hong Diep shared: “We never use the term gender equality in the company because there is no gender discrimination. Recruitment, training, or management promotion policies are applied uniformly throughout the company.”

According to Nguyen Thi Vinh, President of Thai Nguyen Businesswomen Association and CEO of Thai Hung Trading Corporation, regarding gender issues in business, it is important to clearly recognize: The role of women is not a responsibility but a value. Only then can the community correctly appreciate the value of women.�?/p>

The workshop also witnessed the commitment to action from businesses to promote gender equality in the workplace and empower female workers, including: Pham Hong Diep – Chairman of Shinec Corporation, Investor of Nam Cau Kien Industrial Park; Ha Thu Thanh – Chairwoman of VBCWE; Hoang Hong Diep – CEO of Van Der Leun Vietnam, Vice President of the Dutch Business Association in Vietnam; Bui Van Binh – Chairman of Tan Thuan Phong; Nguyen Thi Vinh – President of Thai Nguyen Businesswomen Association, CEO of Thai Hung Trading Corporation; Dang Bich Dung – Vice President of Hung Yen Businesswomen Association, Director of EZ Fashion Co., Ltd.; and Hoang Tuan Anh – General Director of Shinec Corporation, Investor of Nam Cau Kien Industrial Park.

Representatives of the businesses committed to action, promising to bring about positive and sustainable changes in reality, thereby creating a diverse, equal, and inclusive working environment, particularly regarding gender equality in the workplace.

News and photos: Shinec Media Team