Vietnam - Denmark Energy Partnership Programme

Vietnam Technology Catalogue for Energy Transport

Introduction

The Vietnam Technology Catalogue for Energy Transport provides a comprehensive and systematic dataset on energy transport technologies, supporting long-term energy system planning and analysis in Vietnam.

The scope of the catalogue covers the entire energy transport chain, from electricity transmission to the transport of various fuel types. Specifically:

  • Electricity transmission: including AC and DC systems, overhead lines, and underground and submarine cables
  • Gas and liquid fuels: primarily transported via pipelines and maritime shipping
  • Solid fuels (such as coal): transported through conveyors, maritime shipping, railways, and trucks
  • Nuclear fuel: transported under strict safety requirements

All technologies are analyzed in relation to their operating conditions, technical characteristics, and practical application scope.

The catalogue applies a standardized structure combining qualitative and quantitative information for each technology. It covers key aspects such as operating principles, performance, costs, and future projections, enabling consistent comparison and evaluation. The data is based on publicly available, transparent, and verifiable sources, supplemented by expert input where necessary. This creates a reliable and common reference framework for policymakers, industry, and researchers.

Overall, the catalogue serves as a key data platform, helping to standardize information on energy transport technologies and supporting decision-making, planning, and the long-term development of a sustainable energy system in Vietnam.

Contents of the Chapters
in this catalogue

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Technology Overview

Electricity transmission is the process of transporting power energy from generation sources (thermal power, hydropower, renewable energy) to load centers through high-voltage grid systems. It is a core infrastructure that ensures supply–demand balance and stable operation of the entire power system. Electricity is typically transmitted via overhead lines or underground cables, depending on technical and economic conditions.

Technical Characteristics

Currently, two main technologies are used: HVAC (High Voltage Alternate Current) and HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current). HVAC is the conventional technology and dominates existing grids due to its lower investment cost and simpler operation. In contrast, HVDC is suitable for transmitting large amounts of power over long distances, particularly for interregional connections or renewable energy integration.

Technology Characteristics Advantages Limitations
HVAC Conventional, widely used Lower investment cost, simple operation Higher losses over long distances, limited controllability
HVDC Long-distance, high-capacity transmission Lower losses, flexible control High converter station costs

HVDC becomes more economical than HVAC at transmission distances of approximately 600–750 km, or from around 50 km for submarine cables.

Application in Vietnam

Vietnam’s transmission system currently relies primarily on HVAC overhead lines. Underground cables are mainly used in urban areas or special terrain conditions. In the future, HVDC is being studied, including options for system interconnection and large-scale electricity imports.

Technology Overview

Gas and liquid fuel transport involves delivering energy from production or import locations to consumption points through infrastructure systems such as pipelines and maritime transport. It is a key component of the energy supply chain, particularly for fuels such as natural gas (NG), LNG, and petroleum products.

Technical Characteristics

Two main technologies are used:

  • Pipelines: suitable for continuous, large-volume transport onshore or offshore
  • Maritime transport: flexible for international transport, especially for LNG and liquid fuels
Mode Characteristics Scope Advantages Limitations
Pipeline Continuous, fixed Domestic, regional Stable, low operating cost High investment cost, low flexibility
Shipping Flexible, international International Suitable for long-distance, large-scale transport Discontinuous, dependent on logistics

Application in Vietnam

In Vietnam, gas and liquid fuel transport relies mainly on domestic gas pipelines and maritime transport for energy imports. This system plays a crucial role in ensuring fuel supply for power generation and industry, particularly as demand for LNG and cleaner fuels continues to increase.

Technology Overview

Coal and solid fuel transport ensures the delivery of fuel from mining or import sources to power plants and industrial facilities. Main methods include conveyors, maritime shipping, railways, and trucks, each with different operational characteristics and costs depending on distance and scale.

Technical Characteristics

  • Shipping: enables transport of very large volumes over long distances
  • Conveyors: suitable for continuous transport over short distances within plant areas
  • Railways and trucks: flexible but with higher operating costs
Mode Characteristics Advantages Limitations
Conveyor Continuous, short distance Low operating cost Limited flexibility
Shipping Long distance, large scale High capacity, low cost Longer transport time
Rail / Truck Flexible Easy to deploy Higher cost, environmental impact

Application in Vietnam

Vietnam uses a combination of shipping (for coal imports), conveyors within power plants, and road/rail transport to supply fuel to thermal power systems.

Technology Overview

Nuclear fuel transport involves the movement of radioactive materials used for nuclear power generation, requiring strict compliance with international safety standards. This transport can be carried out by road, rail, sea, and air.

Technical Characteristics

  • Strict control of radiation and safety
  • Specialized packaging and rigorous certification requirements
  • Compliance with IAEA standards

Comparison of transport modes:

Mode Characteristics Advantages Limitations
Road Flexible Easy to deploy Limited capacity
Rail Stable High safety Dependent on infrastructure
Sea Long distance Low cost Longer transit time
Air* Special cases Fast Very high cost

* Applied only in specific cases under strict safety regulations.

Application in Vietnam

Currently, nuclear fuel transport has not been implemented at a commercial scale in Vietnam. However, international standards and regulations have been studied as a basis for future development.

Appendix 1 presents the methodology used to develop the data for the Vietnam Energy Transmission and Transport Technology Catalogue.

First, data are compiled from practical experience in Vietnam (where available) as well as relevant international sources, ensuring both representativeness and reliability. The technologies considered cover the full range of energy transport systems, including electricity transmission lines, cables, pipelines, transport vessels, conveyors, railways, and trucks, along with associated stations and auxiliary equipment used for conversion, regulation, or support of energy transport processes.

A core element of the methodology is the application of a standardized structure for describing each technology. Every technology is presented with mandatory components, including a concise description of operating principles, key system elements, inputs, outputs, and energy balance. The energy balance section captures all energy flows, including inputs, outputs, losses, and auxiliary energy requirements during operation.

In addition, the methodology requires an assessment of operational and system-level aspects, such as the advantages and disadvantages of each technology, comparisons with alternative options, spatial requirements (standardized as area per unit of capacity), and environmental characteristics. These environmental aspects include visual impact, noise, risk, and ecological footprint. This approach ensures that the evaluation reflects real-world deployment feasibility, rather than focusing solely on technical performance.

Each technology is also supplemented with information on research and development (R&D) status and examples of existing projects. Priority is given to examples from Vietnam, while international examples are used for technologies that are not yet widely deployed domestically. This helps illustrate both the maturity level of each technology and its potential applicability.

From a quantitative perspective, the methodology requires that each technology be accompanied by standardized technical and economic data tables. These include capital costs, operation and maintenance costs, technical lifetime, construction time, energy losses, and technology-specific performance parameters. The data are provided for key time horizons such as 2025, 2030, and 2050, reflecting the state of technologies at different stages of investment decision-making. In addition, the data tables include uncertainty ranges to represent the inherent variability and uncertainty in the projections.

Technology Overview

Electricity transmission is the process of transporting power energy from generation sources (thermal power, hydropower, renewable energy) to load centers through high-voltage grid systems. It is a core infrastructure that ensures supply–demand balance and stable operation of the entire power system. Electricity is typically transmitted via overhead lines or underground cables, depending on technical and economic conditions.

Technical Characteristics

Currently, two main technologies are used: HVAC (High Voltage Alternate Current) and HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current). HVAC is the conventional technology and dominates existing grids due to its lower investment cost and simpler operation. In contrast, HVDC is suitable for transmitting large amounts of power over long distances, particularly for interregional connections or renewable energy integration.

Technology Characteristics Advantages Limitations
HVAC Conventional, widely used Lower investment cost, simple operation Higher losses over long distances, limited controllability
HVDC Long-distance, high-capacity transmission Lower losses, flexible control High converter station costs

HVDC becomes more economical than HVAC at transmission distances of approximately 600–750 km, or from around 50 km for submarine cables.

Application in Vietnam

Vietnam’s transmission system currently relies primarily on HVAC overhead lines. Underground cables are mainly used in urban areas or special terrain conditions. In the future, HVDC is being studied, including options for system interconnection and large-scale electricity imports.

Technology Overview

Gas and liquid fuel transport involves delivering energy from production or import locations to consumption points through infrastructure systems such as pipelines and maritime transport. It is a key component of the energy supply chain, particularly for fuels such as natural gas (NG), LNG, and petroleum products.

Technical Characteristics

Two main technologies are used:

  • Pipelines: suitable for continuous, large-volume transport onshore or offshore
  • Maritime transport: flexible for international transport, especially for LNG and liquid fuels
Mode Characteristics Scope Advantages Limitations
Pipeline Continuous, fixed Domestic, regional Stable, low operating cost High investment cost, low flexibility
Shipping Flexible, international International Suitable for long-distance, large-scale transport Discontinuous, dependent on logistics

Application in Vietnam

In Vietnam, gas and liquid fuel transport relies mainly on domestic gas pipelines and maritime transport for energy imports. This system plays a crucial role in ensuring fuel supply for power generation and industry, particularly as demand for LNG and cleaner fuels continues to increase.

Technology Overview

Coal and solid fuel transport ensures the delivery of fuel from mining or import sources to power plants and industrial facilities. Main methods include conveyors, maritime shipping, railways, and trucks, each with different operational characteristics and costs depending on distance and scale.

Technical Characteristics

  • Shipping: enables transport of very large volumes over long distances
  • Conveyors: suitable for continuous transport over short distances within plant areas
  • Railways and trucks: flexible but with higher operating costs
Mode Characteristics Advantages Limitations
Conveyor Continuous, short distance Low operating cost Limited flexibility
Shipping Long distance, large scale High capacity, low cost Longer transport time
Rail / Truck Flexible Easy to deploy Higher cost, environmental impact

Application in Vietnam

Vietnam uses a combination of shipping (for coal imports), conveyors within power plants, and road/rail transport to supply fuel to thermal power systems.

Technology Overview

Nuclear fuel transport involves the movement of radioactive materials used for nuclear power generation, requiring strict compliance with international safety standards. This transport can be carried out by road, rail, sea, and air.

Technical Characteristics

  • Strict control of radiation and safety
  • Specialized packaging and rigorous certification requirements
  • Compliance with IAEA standards

Comparison of transport modes:

Mode Characteristics Advantages Limitations
Road Flexible Easy to deploy Limited capacity
Rail Stable High safety Dependent on infrastructure
Sea Long distance Low cost Longer transit time
Air* Special cases Fast Very high cost

* Applied only in specific cases under strict safety regulations.

Application in Vietnam

Currently, nuclear fuel transport has not been implemented at a commercial scale in Vietnam. However, international standards and regulations have been studied as a basis for future development.

Appendix 1 presents the methodology used to develop the data for the Vietnam Energy Transmission and Transport Technology Catalogue.

First, data are compiled from practical experience in Vietnam (where available) as well as relevant international sources, ensuring both representativeness and reliability. The technologies considered cover the full range of energy transport systems, including electricity transmission lines, cables, pipelines, transport vessels, conveyors, railways, and trucks, along with associated stations and auxiliary equipment used for conversion, regulation, or support of energy transport processes.

A core element of the methodology is the application of a standardized structure for describing each technology. Every technology is presented with mandatory components, including a concise description of operating principles, key system elements, inputs, outputs, and energy balance. The energy balance section captures all energy flows, including inputs, outputs, losses, and auxiliary energy requirements during operation.

In addition, the methodology requires an assessment of operational and system-level aspects, such as the advantages and disadvantages of each technology, comparisons with alternative options, spatial requirements (standardized as area per unit of capacity), and environmental characteristics. These environmental aspects include visual impact, noise, risk, and ecological footprint. This approach ensures that the evaluation reflects real-world deployment feasibility, rather than focusing solely on technical performance.

Each technology is also supplemented with information on research and development (R&D) status and examples of existing projects. Priority is given to examples from Vietnam, while international examples are used for technologies that are not yet widely deployed domestically. This helps illustrate both the maturity level of each technology and its potential applicability.

From a quantitative perspective, the methodology requires that each technology be accompanied by standardized technical and economic data tables. These include capital costs, operation and maintenance costs, technical lifetime, construction time, energy losses, and technology-specific performance parameters. The data are provided for key time horizons such as 2025, 2030, and 2050, reflecting the state of technologies at different stages of investment decision-making. In addition, the data tables include uncertainty ranges to represent the inherent variability and uncertainty in the projections.

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