US funds Vietnam’s smart electricity grid   Illustrative image (Source: VNA) The US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has provided 700,000 USD in non-refundable aid to the pilot application of Vietnam’s Smart Grid project, that will help Vietnamese energy companies efficiently manage the use of electricity during peak hours, and optimise power distribution. An agreement to this effect was signed in Hanoi on September 17 between the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the USTDA. Addressing the signing ceremony, Deputy Minister Cao Quoc Hung spoke highly of the USTDA’s support for Vietnam in programmes and projects, including the Smart Grid. USTDA Director Leocadia I.Zak said the agreement is part of a programme connecting Vietnamese partners with US leading experts in the field of energy, thus helping Vietnam better manage the use of power when the country’s electricity output is expected to double in 2025. Once implemented nationwide, the solution can help save up to 300 MW during peak hours. Smart Grid is a pilot solution in many places in the world for power management from manufacture, transmission, distribution to the end-customers. The solution of applying advanced digital technologies to the network allows two-way smart link and real-time information coordination between the power generator/power distribution source and demand of the terminal equipment (for the customers) with the biggest goal of energy-saving and efficient use. In Vietnam, the Prime Minister has issued a decision in November 2012 approving the roadmap of smart grid development with the objective of improving power supply quality and reliability; contributing to power demand management, encourage power use safety and effectively; making conditions for labour productivity improvement, investment demand decrease on developing sources and power network; boosting effective exploitation of energy natural resources, ensuring national defence, taking part in environment protection and sustainable socio-economical development.-VNA