Lessons from Vietnam National Power Transmission Corporation’s Digitalization Journey July 2023 Summary This case study focuses on how the Vietnam National Power Transmission Corporation (EVN NPT) has applied state-of-the-art technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), in operating and maintaining the country’s electricity transmission infrastructure. EVN NPT, which was set up in 2008, is the state-owned enterprise responsible for developing, operating, and maintaining Vietnam’s power transmission system. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vietnam Electricity (EVN)—the country’s only wholesaler of electricity—and the utility operates in all of Vietnam’s electricity sub- sectors. Operations and maintenance (O&M) of electricity transmission infrastructure is a core utility activity due to its impact on service reliability, and on operating costs and expenses. Effective O&M is critical for improving the availability of assets, preventing failures, reducing downtimes, and implementing maneuvers to reduce supply interruptions when assets become unavailable. With a staff of over 7,800 working with high voltage equipment, and often in difficult and dangerous conditions, EVN NPT’s managers consider that ensuring workers’ safety, as well as the effective operation of the system are extremely important. Any lack of understanding, confusion, or negligence with regard to safely and properly operating electrical equipment can cause incidents that negatively impact Vietnam’s entire national power system. To ensure workers’ safety, improve productivity, and increase the reliability of the power system, EVN NPT has started the process of digital transformation. EVN NPT’s digitalization journey Since 1996, EVN has been implementing a series of projects with assistance from the World Bank, and this case study concerns the most recent one—the Transmission Efficiency Project (TEP P131558), which was carried out in Vietnam between 2014 and 2021. One of the key components of the TEP has been the application of digital technologies in EVN NPT’s transmission network in order to develop a “smart transmission grid”. This component addressed the faulty operation of substation monitoring, control, and protection equipment that was causing over 60 percent of the network’s substation faults, and resulting in the system’s vulnerability and reliability challenges. Along with modernizing the monitoring, control, and protection equipment in EVN NPT’s 500 kV and 220 kV substations to improve the reliability of the whole power system, this component also modernized some bulk-supply points in the distribution network. The TEP project was complemented by other initiatives that EVN NPT implemented to incorporate state-of-the-art technologies under its Digital Transformation Plan for the period 2021–2025, which is part of Vietnam’s National Digital Transformation Program to 2025. The latter, which was approved by the Prime Minister, follows the international interoperability standards of the Smart Grid Roadmap, which were approved by Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade. Notably, EVN NPT developed its detailed implementation plan, itself, so that it could achieve its digitalization goals. Overview of the technologies adopted EVN NPT has adopted a combination of technologies for real-time monitoring as well as enhanced supervision and maintenance. An overview of these technologies and their associated uses and benefits, are presented in the table below. For a detailed explanation of these technologies, see the Appendix. Table: Overview of the digital technologies adopted by EVN NPT 2 Technology Ad opted Uses and Benefits Real-time monitoring Monitoring camera  Helps to remotely monitor transmission lines, substations, transformer system equipment, construction sites, and warehouses  Detects and records any incidents such as floods and lightning strikes that could negatively impact the safe operation of the transmission lines Online oil monitoring  Monitors and measures gasses and dissolved humidity in power equipment transformers, which enables the diagnose of a wide range of transformer defects  Monitors the content of combustible gas and water in power transformers  Detects any problems in the transformers, early on, which reduces economic and financial risks Transformer overall  Automatically records the operating parameters such as voltage, over monitoring system current,  Monitors the transformer’s cooling system and assists operators in handling the situation if the cooling system fails  Monitors the status of the transformer’s on-load tap changer (OLTC) and assists in its operation and maintenance  Monitors the capacitance (storage capacity) of the transformer Enhanced Supervision Fault location  Reduces the time spent in searching for transmission faults equipment for 220kV  Improves the safety of the transmission network by quickly detecting lines faults  Reduces the costs for line patrol workers, maintains system safety during power outages, and prescribes the penalty charges due if power outages occur Fault current limiter  Limits the amount of current flowing through the system and facilitates the uninterrupted supply of power Real-time lightning  Provides early warnings and useful statistics on thunderstorms, which detection and warning allow enough time to implement preventive measures system  Early detection of problems resulting from a lightning strike Digital Technologies Unmanned aerial  Comprehensively check the technical condition of the grid, including vehicles (UAVs) hard-to-access areas, which reduces the need for power cuts during maintenance  Quickly access, detect, and remove any damage or obstruction in line equipment without the need to cut the power supply  Provide images for further analysis and decision-making  Reduce the need for staff to travel to carry out routine maintenance Light detection and  Measure the distance from any point on the structure/conductor to ranging devices the ground’s surface  Ensure safety by detecting trees and forecasting tree growth within the grid corridor  Warn of dangers such as unsecured phase-wall distance Augmented reality  Aids in training staff to manage assets by simulating devices in a virtual environment 3 Technology Ad opted Uses and Benefits Artificial intelligence  Analyzes data such as images captured by unmanned aerial vehicles (AI) and warns users of any faults, dangers, or other problems in the system that need attention Digital workforce  Software robots work alongside employees to improve efficiency and system reduce costs related to tasks such as inspecting, repairing, and calibrating equipment in the transmission system GIS  Allows users to view the geographic location of all of the equipment in the system  Enhances the ability to manage the grid and all of its equipment  Helps to easily locate and reach areas when problems occur Results from implementation By April 2023, EVN NPT was operating 141 computerized control substations, which comprise 83 percent of the utility’s substations. This total includes one 220kV substation in Thuy Nguyen District, in the city of Hai Phong, which is the first fully digital 220kV substation in Vietnam. To date, 97 220 kV substations, which comprise 73 percent of Vietnam’s substations, have been upgraded to unmanned operation, which means that each one can be operated remotely from its respective regional dispatch center. By 2025, 100 percent of EVN NPT’s 220 kV substations will be digitized and remotely operated by regional power dispatch centers. By April 2023, 80 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were equipped to check power lines, and 120 more UAVs will be equipped in the near future. Also, AI has been initially applied to analyze the images collected by the UAVs. The application of an AI image-processing camera is now being tested, and AI cameras have been installed at the top of power line towers in special locations with complex corridors such as those for construction zones, industrial parks, ports, warehouses, and forests where fires are frequent. When something abnormal happens, the AI camera will immediately send warning signals to the operational staff in the respective substation. Online monitoring of a transmission line’s load capacity based on weather conditions such as the temperature, solar radiation, and wind speed and direction, is effective in helping operation staff. A lightning monitoring and early warning system sends warnings about the formation and appearance of thunderstorms that could generate lightning, which would endanger the transmission power grid, and the system can also locate and determine the parameters of lightning. Fault locator equipment installed on the 220-500 kV lines helps operators to quickly identify problem points with tolerance of about 200 meters. In addition, 100 percent of the equipment data on the power transmission grid have been digitized with power management information system (PMIS) software, and 100 percent of metering data are connected to the meter data management system (MDMS). EVN NPT had planned to train all its employees on how to use a computer tablet to periodically check the status of power lines, substations, and experiments, as well as repair equipment using management software. Nearly 2,200 workers working on transmission lines will transition to "digital labor" using computer tablets, UAVs, and AI data analytics; nearly 1,600 workers working in substations will transition to "digital labor" though using a computer-integrated tablet and control system; and, nearly 1,000 testing and maintenance workers will perform periodic experiments on substation equipment using experimental management software and tablets. 4 Lessons learned EVN NPT has the following valuable lessons to share with other utilities that are planning to implement digital O&M solutions in their transmission system: The benefits of adopting digital technologies to protect and control transmission system equipment significantly outweigh the costs of implementing them. First, the cost of implementing these technologies is negligible when compared to the value of the transmission system equipment that they protect. Second, these technologies can greatly improve the transmission system’s safety and reliability, which protects workers from accidents, and reduces incidents that could compromise the system’s reliability. Thus, along with improving safety, these technologies improve labor productivity, and reduce transmission losses. These transmission system benefits apply even in lower-income countries. In EVN NPT’s case, over the period from 2016 to 2020, implementing digital technologies in its transmission system reduced accidents year-on-year, kept transmission losses below the target set by EVN in its 5-year plan for 2016–2020, and increased labor productivity, annually, by 17 percent. Vietnam’s experience demonstrates that implementing digitalization requires managers and staff with the capacity to implement these technologies. The capacity of EVN NPT’s management and staff to select, procure, and implement digital technologies is uniquely high. Although, the technology they chose was usually based on recommendations provided by international consultants or vendors’ presentations, the digitalization process was almost entirely planned and executed by EVN NPT’s management and staff. Following deliberation about which technology would be the most suitable for the utility, EVN NPT’s management procured the technology through competitive bidding. Another feature of EVN NPT’s approach was piloting technology before rolling it out across the whole utility. While EVN NPT had a high level of internal capacity to execute its digitalization plan, the utility’s highly effective managerial and decision-making capacity is the most important enabling condition that other utilities should have before they implement digital technologies. To maximize the functionalities and benefits of digital technologies, a utility’s staff must have adequate capacity. This could involve hiring data scientists and information technology specialists who have the relevant skills, or training staff so that they develop the necessary skills. In the case of EVN NPT, the utility developed programs to raise awareness and build staff skills, which enable them to use and manage the digital technologies implemented by the utility. The training program, which is led by the utility’s Deputy General Director, comprises academic training, on-the-job training, short courses delivered by university professors, workshops run by international experts, and e-learning combined with online competitions. EVN NPT has also developed a publication for the entire utility—the Digital Transformation Handbook. 5 Appendix: Examples of Technology Application in EVN NPT Based on its objectives and implementation plan, EVN NPT has achieved good results in implementing its digital transformation, and applying state-of-the-art technology in the utility’s management, O&M, and construction investments. As a result of applying state-of-the-art technology and an appropriate management model, EVN NPT has improved labor productivity, and optimized and automated production management and operations across EVN NPT, as well as in its affiliated units. EVNNTP’s application of state-of-art technology falls into the following three large groups: Group 1: Real-time monitoring: This group comprises all of the applications that help operators to monitor, in real time, EVN NPT’s critical core equipment, transmission lines, transformers, substations, and construction sites. These applications have been permanently installed in certain places to monitor the equipment 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Group 2: Enhancing Supervision: This group comprises all of the applications that help operators to supervise, monitor, and check the working condition of core equipment, transmission lines, substations, and construction sites. These applications are usually portable and can be brought to onsite inspections. Group 3: Digital Technology: The applications in this group utilize a the platform of highly integrated of digital technology (including Internet of Things connectivity, artificial intelligence, Cloud computing, and large databases) The following examples of digital transformation and the application of state-of-art technology were considered by decision makers. Group 1: Real-time monitoring Monitoring camera system This application helps: (i) improve the efficiency of remote monitoring of transmission lines. Cameras are installed in transmission towers that are located in areas where the terrain is subject to damaging conditions such as landslides and forest fires. Remote monitoring easily detects and accurately assesses transmission line area irregularities such as fires near the line’s right of way (ROW), landslides, vehicles passing through, and human activities that could affect the line’s safe operation; (ii) quickly view and assess the situation in a flooded area, so that appropriate actions can be taken; (iii) give operations staff the ability to zoom in, and clearly view transmission lines, accessories, and towers; (iv) store and retrieve images of the transmission lines for investigating and analyzing abnormalities; (v) record lightning strikes near the line to determine the exact cause of a transient incident; (vi) detect incidents that could affect the safe operation of the line so that quick and appropriate measures can be taken to ensure continued operation; (vii) monitor all of the activities at construction sites, as well as the movement of materials in and out of warehouses; (viii) monitor substations, transformer equipment, 6 and security; (ix) monitor: changes in terrain; residential activities; the activities of equipment, vehicles, and machinery in areas that are adjacent to a transmission line’s right of way; and equipment in unusual conditions such as wind and rain storms, and floods. Application scale: To date, 31 camera systems have been installed on Power Transmission Company (PTC) No.2’s grids, and camera systems have also been installed at the Southern Project Management Board’s warehouse, and at several construction sites for 220kV and 500kV substation projects such as the 500kV Long Thanh substation, 220kV Ben Luc substation, 220kV Gia Rai substation, and 500kV Song Hau-Duc Hoa River project in Cai Be. As of February 2022, for overall equipment monitoring, Power Transmission Company No. 1 (PTC1) was piloting installation of a camera for the 500kV Thuong Tin substation; PTC3 was piloting installation of a camera for the 220kV Van Phong substation; and PTC4 was piloting installation of a camera for the 500kV Duyen Hai substation. Future plans: Promoting the use of: (i) mobile cameras with a 4G connection in order to monitor teams that are working remotely, and support the monitoring of staff on site in order to quickly address safety risks. With a 4G network, a camera’s image can be transmitted, immediately, over a long distance to relevant specialists so that they can carry out a remote inspection; and (ii) AI to analyze recorded images because with the cameras continuously recording images of the monitored areas, the volume of images quickly becomes enormous, which makes it very time-consuming and labor-intensive for specialized staff to carry out visual inspections, and it also makes their work prone to errors. AI can address these problem by automatically finding abnormal situations and immediately send a warning signal to operational staff so that they can carry out whatever actions are necessary. Online oil monitoring equipment This application helps to: (i) quickly detect transformer problems, reduce economic risks, and improve investment decisions; (ii) carry out online monitoring and measuring of the amounts of different gasses and dissolved humidity; (iii) measure the types gasses, which enables staff to detect and diagnose a wide range of transformer defects; and (iv) monitor the content of combustible gas and water in power transformers. Comments from users: Since their installation, Dissolved Gas-in-oil Analysis (DGA) devices have been operating stably and performing online monitoring. Depending on the status of a transformer, sampling can be as frequent as once every hour, and all of the data (gas types and water) are displayed in real time on a computer screen in the substation control room of the Power Transmission Company, as well as at EVN NPT. 7 Early detection of problems enables operational management units to implement timely and appropriate solutions such as: reducing the transformer load, and removing the transformer for testing. If the levels of gasses and humidity exceed their thresholds, to avoid a transmission failure, the transformer must be opened up to figure out what is causing the problem and fix it, or replace the damaged parts. Application scale: Dissolved Gas-in-oil Analysis devices began to be tested on 500kV transformers in Vietnam in 2009, and they have been widely installed on 500kV transformers and 500kV reactors since 2014. As of February 2022, 233 DGAs have been installed across Vietnam. Most of the 500kV transformers and reactors have been equipped with online oil monitoring equipment since 2017. Future plans: Equip the remaining transformers in the system with DGA devices, and develop software to remotely manage all of the DGA devices that have a monitoring function that connects to the system. Transformer overall monitoring system: Since 2018, a Transformer Overall Monitoring System (TOMS) has been installed in several 500kV substations. A TOMS is a multifunctional system that collects all the data from (i) a transformer’s DGA, (ii) the sensors inside the transformer, and (iii) the peripheral sensors (such as those for the output porcelain, cooling system, and the on-load tap changer [OLTC]), as well as the operating parameters (line, pressure, and capacity) that monitor the operating status of the transformer, as a whole, and its individual parts. A TOMS has specialized software with functions such as automatically storing data; and automatically analyzing, charting, and drawing diagrams based on the results from diagnostic tools. There is a simulated function, too, with load, voltage, hot spot temperature, aging rate, loss, and insulation paper humidity to use in customizing the system’s operating status. In addition, a TOMS can make a diagnosis, provide a warning, recommend the next steps in the operation of a transformer, and automatically prepare the status report, which is required by the operator. Also, users can access a TOMS remotely via the transformer’s IP address. The application helps to: (i) enable operators to automatically record operating parameters such as the voltage, over-current, and short-circuit current; (ii) monitor the transformer’s cooling system and assist the operator in deciding on the mode of overloading operation in case the cooling system fails; (iii) monitor the operating status of the OLTC set (steps, number of times, working time of the engine, and power of the engine), and allow the operator to inspect the maintenance and repair regime of the OLTC set; and (iv) monitor the capacitance tolerance of 500kV porcelain in real-time without requiring a power cut to carry out the test. This function is essential to minimize the duration of the power cuts that occur when measuring the capacitance of the 500kV bushing. Comments from users: It is important to proactively prevent incidents during the operation of power transmission grid equipment, and especially incidents with important and high-value equipment such as transformers. Thus, it is necessary to use a system that is capable of monitoring and diagnosing the condition of the transformer and its specifications in real time, so that problems can be identified and addressed as early in their occurrence as possible. The introduction of MS 3000, a transformer monitoring system provided by GE, has improved the efficiency of monitoring, assessing operating conditions, and early diagnosis of potential damage inside the transformer, which improves the reliability of the power supply, and minimizes the economic losses caused by transformer damage. This is one of the innovative applications in the research, development, and use of technology by the EVN NPT. For a 220kV transformer, a portable online monitoring device should be used that is suitable for the many different types of transformers that are in use. Fault location in lines Fault location (FL): In 2018, EVN NPT installed FL equipment for 69 of its 500kV and 220kV lines that pass through areas with challenging terrain. Via the OT-WAN network, data can be sent to servers in transmission company control rooms for troubleshooting. In future, these data will also be sent to EVN NPT’s database for analysis of the related information systems, and integration with a geographic information system (GIS) in order to facilitate identifying the geographic location of an incident, and planning how mobilize the resources needed to resolve it. Some FL benefits are: (a) reducing the time spent searching for and troubleshooting problems; (b) improving safety and maintaining continuous transmission; (c) reducing the cost of deploying line patrol workers; (d) reducing the cost of maintaining system safety during power outages; and (e) reducing the cost of the penalties prescribed for power outages. Fault current limiter A fault current limiter (FCL) limits the amount of current flowing through the power system and allows its continuous uninterrupted operation. This is similar to the way that a surge protector operates in a household to limit spikes in the electrical current that would damage the connected appliances and other devices. Reactors can be installed anywhere in the distribution circuit in order to limit the fault current. Since they are essentially a linear inductive reactance, their impedance will add arithmetically to the system’s impedance, and result in a reduction of faults in the current. For the period from 2020 to 2030, the results of short-circuit calculations in the 110kV bars of the 500kV and 220kV substations on the transmission system1 indicate that the short-circuit current of the equipment on the 110kV side in some substations in the Northern and the Southern Regions is very high, and beyond the endurance of the equipment. However, for the period from 2020 to 2025, the short-circuit equipment at the 500kV and 220kV substations in the Central Region is within the correct range. Therefore, short-circuit line equipment for the substations in the Central Region is not required. EVN NPT assigned PTC4 to install short-circuit limited-flow equipment at six substations—Song May, Cat Lai, Nha Be, Long Binh, Thu Duc, and Binh Chanh—and installation of the equipment has been completed at all of these substations. Lightning detection and fault clearance EVN NPT has invested in lightning detection and warning equipment that can quickly identify lightning incidents and analyze their cause. This provides a database of thunderstorms, which includes: (a) collecting and analyzing data on thunderstorms across the entire area of the power grid so that solutions can be developed to minimize lightning-related incidents in the transmission grid, and improve the design of electrical works; (b) providing early warnings of the development of thunderstorms so that timely countermeasures can be taken, which improves the reliability of the power grid; (c) providing statistics on lightning such as its intensity and density in different areas, over time, which helps in designing lightning protection for electrical works; (d) quickly identifying the “problem point” of a lightning-induced incident; and (e) installing a lightning monitoring system, in combination with Electromagnetic Transients Program (EMTP) software, which can analyze lightning-induced incidents, and propose solutions for them. 1 Project TR2-19-10B, Installation of Short-circuit Line Limiting Equipment Construction Feasibility Study Report, Power Construction Consultancy Joint Stock Company No.2, March 2020. 9 EVN NPT had deployed a lightning detection and warning system in the Northern and North Central Regions, and had planned to install the system in the South Central and Southern Regions. Group 2: Enhancing Supervision Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Artificial Intelligence for O&M of transmission infrastructure Since 2018, EVN NPT has been using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for transmission infrastructure O&M, and the utility has improve its UAVs so that they can remove kites when these become entangled in transmission lines. To help automate and improve efficiency in testing and managing the operations of the transmission grid, EVN NPT was testing how to use AI applications to analyze the images collected by the UAVs. Below are some of the results of applying UAVs in operations management: The application helps to: (i) improve workers’ safety by enabling them to avoid the risks associated with climbing high towers, coming into contact with electrical equipment that has a large electromagnetic field, and traveling in challenging terrain; (ii) improve productivity and efficiency by enabling quick access to areas that have been isolated by incidents such as floods and landslides, recording the status quo with good quality images that enable staff to analyze information from all angles more accurately, and most importantly, reducing the need for power cuts; (iii) carefully check the condition of the power grid from above, and in places that are not easily accessible and/or difficult to observe with a naked eye; (iv) enhance the ability to supervise, inspect, and approve the construction of transmission towers, and check conductors, accessories, corridors; and (v) quickly access and detect damage to conductors, lightning-resistant wires, fiber optic cables, and line equipment without the need for power cuts, and record the status quo with both still images and video. UAVs can record while flying along a transmission line, and capture high-quality images from different angles, which enables staff to quickly and accurately evaluate problems in the line. The application of UAVs was especially valuable when COVID-19 pandemic restrictions prevented workers from traveling. Application scale: UAVs are now widely used by a number of EVN NPT’s maintenance and construction teams—for example, in Quang Binh, each power transmission team has been equipped with a DJI Mavic 2 Zoom drone. Between March 2020 and the end of December 2021, PTC2 widely deployed 279 flying devices of all types for O&M of transmission lines. With a total flight time of 46,363 minutes, UAVs periodically checked 1,579 km of 500kV/220 kV lines. With a total flight time of 70,243 minutes, UAVs periodically checked the transmission line right-of-way, conductors, lightning protection wires, technical and insulation status, and accessories for the 500kV/220kV line. With a total flight time of 8,961 minutes, UAVs periodically checked the overhead lightning protection system in all 17 of the 220kV and 500kV substations. With a total flight time of 597 minutes, UAVs supported the monitoring and approval of power transmission works that were carried out on the 500kV line, and a 220kV line. This facilitated the detection of several unusual errors in the transmission lines, which enabled the unit to quickly resolve problems, and ensure the safe and effective operation of the line. NPT Team using UAV to check 500kV line Future plans: EVN NPT was planning to equip 104 power transmission teams with at least one UAV, and with more modern AI-based UAVs for analyzing the recorded images. As of February 2022, the PTCs were using 80 UAVs, and another 120 would be equipped for use. EVN NPTPTC2 has collaborated with its partners to test fully automated UAVs for inspecting equipment, and the transmission line ROW. Using a UAV to burn a kit stuck in the wires The test device is a Real Time Kinematic (RTK)-integrated system with the ability to fly automatically with high accuracy, and deviation of only two or three centimeters; build artificial intelligence (AI) systems at the test level with the goal of screening, fast arrangement, automatic data acquisition, and rapid detection of anomalies in the power grid; identify basic equipment on the line such as insulation, and automatically detect broken insulation; and automatically collect general statistics on irregularities in the power grid, and export reports on these. PTC2 installed fire sprinklers on UAVs to burn objects that become entangled in wires such as kites and fabric. With this device, it is possible to eliminate objects that become entangled in the line without having to cut off the power. Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) Another application of a UAV is equipping it with a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) device so that it can check the sag/hammock level of transmission lines, and the height of the trees that are inside or outside a line’s ROW. LIDAR uses light from pulse lasers to measure changes in the distance between the line and the ground. These pulses of light, combined with other data recorded by the aerial system, produce accurate, three-dimensional images of the line and features on the ground. A LIDAR device comprises a laser, a scanner, and a dedicated global positioning system (GPS) receiver. UAVs are most commonly used to collect LIDAR data across large areas. Using this equipment, operators are able to accurately view the area around the lines and on the ground so that they can make quick decisions about any actions that may be required. Group 3: Digital Technology Adoption of digital technology applications involved incorporating within existing applications sophisticated software and state-of-the-art technology, such as the Internet of things, Cloud computing, cognitive computing, and artificial intelligence. Some of these, such as AI and GIS, are essential components for other applications. Condition-based maintenance (CBM) of core equipment Condition-based maintenance (CBM) was piloted for the first time in the Ho Chi Minh City Distribution Corporation, and based on the CBM pilot’s good results in repairing and maintaining the distribution power grid, EVN decided to apply CBM in its transmission and distribution subsectors, including EVN NPT, and in the generation companies that are using reliability-centered maintenance (RCM). CBM is a maintenance strategy that monitors the condition of an asset to decide what maintenance should be performed when certain indicators show decreasing grid performance or warn of an upcoming failure. Comments from users: CBM contributes to preventing incidents, improves the reliability of power supply, and quickly detects and predicts abnormalities in the operation of equipment. In one instance, after reviewing the Condition Health Index (CHI), one transformer was shut down, immediately, for intensive inspection and testing. The CBM test results identified this problem. The traditional method—time-based maintenance (TBM)—which involves scheduled maintenance, does not consider the actual condition of the equipment when planning and performing maintenance. This wastes workers’ time when maintenance is due, but the equipment is still operating well, and conversely, when equipment is in bad condition, but maintenance is not due, it does not get repaired.The application of CBM also contributes to improving the reliability of electricity supply, as well as optimizing use of capital. Progress: On June 10th, 2021, EVN NPT issued the CBM’s process for transformer, organized training and provided instructions for staff on how to use CBM software. On September 6 th, 2021, EVN NPT issue document No.3557/EVN NPT-KT, which officially directed its units to implement CBM for CB 220kV. Completed construction of CBM module for CB 220kV and official application. CBM was planned to be implemented for 220 kV and 500 kV transformers by 2022. Digital substations During discussions with the World Bank team the EVN NPT team noted that as a result of years of effective assistance from the World Bank, all of EVN NPT’s substations were upgraded to computerized control systems. Over the course of the World Bank-funded Digital Transformation Program, EVN NPT built the 220kV Thuy Nguyen substation in Hai Phong City as a digital substation pilot project, and it began operating on April 18, 2021. The term digital substation simply means using fiber optic cables to communicate between the relays in the control house and the instrument transformers, breakers, and 12 merging units in the station yard, as well as using the industry protocols defined in IEC 61850, which is the international standard that defines communication protocols for intelligent electronic devices in electrical substations. A digital substation reliably and seamlessly converts binary status and analog data into digital data. This makes the data easier to transmit and share between devices and substations in real time, so that the data can be better utilized, processed, and acted on. Thuy Nguyen Substation The Thuy Nguyen 220kV substation is equipped with a Siemens computerized protection and control system with many different features. They are incorporating fiber optic cables into the process bus according to the IEC 61850-9-2 substation communication network architecture to connect Siemens protection and control devices (such as transformer differential protection [F87T] 7UT86, line differential protection [F87L] 7SL86, distance protection [F21] 7SA86, bay control unit [BCU] 7SJ85, and so), and to 6MU65 devices (including Merging Units [MU] and I/O [Breaker IEDs]). The 6MU65 devices include MU converting analog signals from voltage transformers and current transformers, together with time synchronization signals into digital signals to provide protection and control devices, I/O sets (Breaker IEDs) for exchanging status signals and receiving commands to switch circuit breakers and disconnectors according to the IEC 61850-9-2 protocol. By equipping Process Bus with fiber optic cables and MU, I/O (Breaker IEDs), the investment in Thuy Nguyen 220kV substation reduced about 80 percent of copper cable used; reduced the costs of transportation, construction, and installation of copper cables; and reduced the area of cable ditch as a result of using copper cables, only, to connect voltage transformers, current transformers, circuit breakers, and disconnectors to 6MU65 devices, including MU and I/O (Breaker IEDs). The connection from the 6MU65 to the protection and control devices by fiber optic cables on the process bus LAN is in line with the IEC 61850-9-2 communication protocol that reduces the space to install protection and control devices by not using common I/O, and also reduces the risks of short circuit failures in the copper cables. Substation primary equipment is not digital—there are no digital breakers, no digital transformers, and no digital surge arresters. Therefore, it is not possible to have a completely “digital” substation. EVN NPT plans to continue monitoring the operation of the 220kV Thuy Nguyen substation by assessing the advantages and disadvantages of using digital technologies. 13 Digital workforce system A digital workforce (DWF) is a set of software robots that collaborate with staff to undertake manual processes, which allow staff to focus on value-added tasks. A digital workforce comprises all of the technologies that an organization’s staff use to carry out their work. These technologies range from human resources and core business applications to email, instant messaging, enterprise social media, and tools for conducting virtual meetings. A DFW is designed to support and augment the work undertaken by staff, but not to replace them. The benefits of a DWF can include: greater flexibility, lower operating costs, higher productivity and efficiency, more revenue, better communication, greater innovation, and better employee experiences, performance, mobility, and communication through managing human resources. EVN NPT’s Target: 100 percent of field staff will use smart mobile applications for: assigning tasks, conducting inspections and making repairs, testing calibration, and monitoring safety. Progress: Digitization of line, equipment, and substation operations management, and laboratory work comprise: completion of the inspection process and developing digital software. As of February 2022, about 60 percent of the planned workload had been completed. Digitization was planned to be tested in the inspection of line and substation operations management. Comments from users: With the DWF, staff can easily look up information about terrain and routes to transmission tower locations on their personal computer and mobile devices. PTC2 has digitized all line and substation locations using Google Earth maps. This helps users to review the overall conditions at a location, in advance, and map their route so that they can organize inspection work in advance, and identify problems that need special attention, and especially when they are carrying out inspections after incidents; and staff in other units, managers, and drivers to use a digital map to plan their trips to locations. In addition, the Dak Nong Team deployed a GO Pro camera mounted on the helmet of a worker operating on the line to automatically record images during the route’s inspection. Asset management Currently EVN NPT manages its assets in a traditional way, with separate functional units such as departments for planning, development, maintenance, financial planning, accounting, asset procurement, and bidding. Although EVN NPT’s functional units are performing well, they are not closely linked yet, as required in the Asset Management model. Maintenance is still carried out using the traditional Time-based Management (TBM) method. The lifecycle costs of assets and other essential principles of modern asset management have not been applied yet in accord with the Asset Management model. In the Strategy to Develop the National Power Transmission Corporation to 2025, with a Vision to 2040, it is stated that: “EVN NPT is expected to manage transmission grid assets throughout the entire lifecycle of the assets safely, efficiently and sustainably to ensure that electricity is delivered 14 efficiently, continuously and with the desired performance to all customers while optimizing resource utilization and maximizing returns on investment." Based on the strategy, EVN NPT hired an international consulting firm, Ellia Grid International (EGI), to review the status of Asset Management (AM) in EVN NPT, and propose a road map for EVN NPT’s AM. EGI recommended that EVN NPT focus on the following goals in its AM Roadmap: (i) digitizing and modernizing the system, (ii) organization and people, (iii) assets and system performance, (iv) technical administration, (v) excellence in operations and maintenance, and (vi) making decisions based on risk. EVN NPT is now implementing the activities set out the AM Roadmap such as starting condition- based management (CBM) . AM, and especially the management of materials and equipment. Records for all supplies will be digitized, and their use will be tracked, digitally, so that supplies are used in the most efficient way. However, AM requires a large initial investment due to the cost of installing monitoring equipment, diagnostic training, and difficulties in selecting the right sensor. Also, AM may require modifying infrastructure. Augmented reality Augmented Reality (AR) is technology that allows people to observe things in the real world through an electronic device. Then, in addition to what can be seen with the naked eye, the electronic device can provide other information related to the object that is being observed. Thus, while virtual reality (VR) completely replaces reality with a simulated world, AR only adds details to the real world. Using a software program installed on their smartphone, operators can see and interact with equipment in a virtual environment as though they were viewing the actual device. AR is technology that allows users to experience virtual elements in real space. With a tablet or a smartphone, AR enables users to interact with digital content in reality; this includes touching objects, grafting objects, and viewing objects in three-dimensional space (3D). EVN NPT Realizing the benefits of VR for improving skills and efficiency, EVN NPT’s Power Transmission Company 1 (PTC1) EVN NPTdeveloped the VR program to train staff on substation operations, and 15 how handle emergency situations. The Electricity Information Technology Company of the Central Power Corporation also developed AR technology for training programs at the Central Electricity College in Hoi An. Application of Geographic Information System (GIS) A Geographic Information System (GIS) is an important element for the successful AM and O&M in a large corporation such as EVN NPT. A GIS application allows EVN NPT to manage many aspects of their assets in a contextual, visual and map-based database. Instead of the static columns and rows associated with a traditional spreadsheet, information can be tied to a photo or visual image that links to maps, charts, statistics, associated media and reports. GIS can help to manage substation equipment, transmission lines, providing visual information equipment on the background of geographical terrain. Information can range from large, multi-layered datasets to project-specific data, equipment parameters, document images, operational history, or real-time operation. EVN NPTArtificial Intelligence (AI) With the increasing use of use of cameras, UAVs, and online monitoring devices, an enormous amount of data is being collected and needs analyzing so that quick decisions can be made about the management of a large transmission system. EVN NPT’s leadership realized that using Artificial Intelligence (AI) is critical for the utility’s digital transformation and its use of state-of-the-art applications. AI can help to automatically analyze available data including online oil monitoring data, remote measurement data, integrated incident positioning, automatic incident reporting, and data collected by UAVs, and the site safety camera system. In 2021, to improve the efficiency of power grid operations management, Power Transmission Company 2 (PTC2) tested the use of AI for analyzing the images produced by the UAVs and other cameras. This was one of the tasks in EVNNP’s Digital Transformation Plan for 2021 to 2025, which the utilityEVN NPT assigned to PTC2 to implement. The labeling of devices and accessories on the line (approximately 93,000 labels for the normal status of equipment, and 2,000 labels for abnormal status) has been carried out, and using these labels, AI has identified: insulated porcelain, anti- vibration weights, compensatory weights, discharge horns, corona rings, and core heads. Damage such as broken porcelain was identified on the line. According to PTC2, the percentage for AI-based recognition of parts of the transmission line ranged from 46 percent to 96 percent, and for abnormal situations on the parts of line the percentage ranged from 58 percent to 95 percent. PTC3 tested AI cameras to warn of fire in the ROW of the 220kV Nha Trang-Krong Buk, Tuy Hoa-Quy Nhon, and Tuy Hoa-Nha Trang transmission lines. According to Engineer Dinh Van Minh in PTC3’s Technical Department, who was directly involved in the mission: "The data processed by AI identified smoke with a high degree of reliability, and warned operators of this through text messages and images on their smart phone." AI Software needs to be “trained” before putting it into use. The training of AI for analyzing images should go through three phases: Phase 1: Collecting and classifying images of equipment components (using the images taken by UAVs during inspections, as well as images from other sources). This stage needs to capture as many images as possible, and with as much detail as possible, because the more detailed that images are, the accurate AI recognition will be. Phase 2: Creating a list of devices, classifying details of damage and accessories, and "training" AI to identify devices from a general to a detailed level. This training phase takes considerable time and effort so that AI can distinguish every detail, and type of damage, and accurately assess the 16 condition of the equipment. Phase 3: Improving software, implementing the use of automatic flight UAVs, and applying AI-based image analysis. This phase develops options so that UAV aircraft can fly automatically to fully check components, lines, and complete AI software analysis and the evaluation of images. Continuing to improve AI in the near future requires: better and more uniform identification and faster automatic screening and organization of the data (images) received after each flight according to each tower’s location, and the coordinates and the time when the photos were taken. PTC1 PTC2 PTC 3 PTC4 Power Transmission Companies and their working areas 17 18