Siemens Energy’s Digital Transmission Technology Used for Vietnam Wind Projects

Siemens Energy won a contract by Technology Resources Energy to equip two onshore wind farms in Vietnam with Sensproducts, digitally enhanced transmission equipment.

The two wind farms IaPet-Dak Doa 1 and IaPet-Dak Doa 2 are both located in the Dak Doa district of Gia Lai province in the country’s central highlands and will have a capacity of 100 MW each. The wind farms are part of Vietnam’s ongoing Power Development Master Plan to further push the integration of renewable energy sources and to enhance the power supply.

“The Dak Doa wind farm project is another excellent project demonstrating how digitalization is providing the technical basis for the most efficient use of renewable energy sources,” says Beatrix Natter, Executive Vice President Transmission at Siemens Energy. “With the order of our Sensproducts TRE chose a future-proof transmission system and I am proud that our digital portfolio will play a distinct role in fostering the integration of wind energy in Vietnam.”

Siemens Energy will equip the substation connecting the wind farm with the national grid. Amongst other substation assets, the company will deliver digitally enhanced transmission products with advanced intelligence from the company’s Sensproducts portfolio, including connective circuit- breakers, surge arresters and power transformers. Equipped as Sensformer Advanced units the transformers come with a digital twin, a synchronized thermo-replication of the physical asset, that will allow the operator to manage temporary overloads without compromising on lifetime.

“Once completed, the IaPet Dak Doa substation will be operated with two transformer banks of 900MVA capacity each and become the key to both north and south grid system,” said Duong Quynh Hoa, CEO of TRE. “Located right next to the existing Pleiku 2 substation which is also being upgraded, the total capacity of both combined substations will make this the biggest connection point in terms of capacity throughout Vietnam. For that reason, we have opened the bid to select the best solutions and are very grateful to award the contract to Siemens Energy. We hope that Siemens Energy’s consistent quality and excellent services shall bring success to the long-term operation of our wind farm and the 500-kilovolt substation,” she added.

Steve Loo, Head of Transmission Products and Systems Asia Pacific Hub at Siemens Energy, said: “This project will certainly create more buzz surrounding our digital solutions and increase our visibility for the wind market. The renewables sector will also help to accelerate our efforts towards decarbonization and clean energy.”

The scope of supply of connective transmission equipment includes three units of 500 kV and two units of 220 kV power transformers, three 500 kV and six 200 kV circuit-breakers with advanced trending as well as 15 surge arresters rated at 500 kV. All these assets will be equipped with smart IOT (Internet of Things) technology and sensors to measure the most important operating parameters. The operator will be able to check the status of the substation assets via online applications in real time to increase efficiency and availability of operations. Additionally, the company will deliver conventional disconnectors, instrument transformers and current limiting reactors.

The energization of the substation is scheduled for August 2021. At the IaPet-Dak Doa one and IaPet-Dak Doa two wind farms a total of 44 wind turbines will be installed. They are expected to generate a gross energy of about 532,622 megawatt hours annually.