Amid rapid urbanisation and digitalisation and the shift towards renewable energy generation, it proves important for the next generation of engineers to grasp the complexities at work between power systems, control systems and power protection systems.

Vietnam’s first Smart Grid Lab at the IUH

“Our students are the next generation of engineers, who will drive Vietnam’s energy transformation forward. It is important that they understand how the smart grids of the future will function and the role they can play in building resilience and keeping the power on 24/7,” said Le Van Tan, vice rector of IUH.

“Our collaboration with ABB is a chance to build the skills they need to develop their careers. This is particularly important in Vietnam, which is facing shortages of highly qualified and skilled workers. Collaborations like this can only help to improve the long-term outcomes for our students,” Tan noted.

Partnerships between business and education are crucial to address the energy challenges of the future

The smart grid lab at IUH is just one of many partnerships between ABB and academic institutions globally.

The company collaborates with more than 100 universities worldwide to develop disruptive technologies and evolve its existing products and services.

At IUH, ABB has been a long-term partner in technical training programmes, supporting students to learn more about IEC standards and how to apply them in power systems, and how to build switchboards and develop skills around control circuit breakers.

The power distribution network is facing new challenges due to accelerating trends such as electric vehicles, the integration of renewables, digitalisation, and urbanisation. This brings with it a host of new issues for the next generation of engineers who need to understand this rapidly evolving landscape.

Doan Van Hien, vice president at ABB Vietnam said, “The opening of Vietnam’s first smart grid lab, in cooperation with IUH, will give students hands-on experience of how to build the design and engineering mindset and skills they need for today’s rapidly changing world.”

The smart grids lab offers an advanced distribution grid setup consisting of medium- and low-voltage switchgear, including ABB’s medium-voltage switchgear UniSec, which is equipped with the leading-edge Relion® product family’s grid automation relay REC615, designed for remote monitoring and control to enhance power grid reliability.

ABB’s low-voltage switchboard System Pro E Power is integrated with the new high-performing circuit breaker ACB Emax2, which manages the performance of low-voltage distribution systems. The entire ABB setup is connected with a simulation system to help students visualise how a modern power grid operates in real-time.