With the goal of gradually mastering technology and moving toward full localization of equipment in coal-fired thermal power plants, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 1791/QĐ-TTg dated November 29, 2012 on “Approval of the mechanism for pilot implementation of domestic design and manufacture of thermal power plant equipment for the period 2012-2025” (Decision 1791). To realize the above decision, the National Research Institute of Mechanical Engineering (NARIME) was assigned by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and the Ministry of Industry and Trade to lead the implementation of the state-level science and technology project: “Research, design, manufacture, and commissioning of a number of auxiliary equipment systems for coal-fired thermal power plants with unit capacity up to about 600 MW”. Through participation in the project, NARIME together with the following units: Vietnam Machinery Installation Corporation (LILAMA), Dong Anh Electrical Equipment Corporation (EEMC), and Power Construction Consulting Joint Stock Company No. 1 (PECC1) have gradually mastered the technology for designing and manufacturing auxiliary equipment systems for coal-fired thermal power plants.

Foundation for the Development of the Mechanical Engineering Industry

Decision No. 1791/QĐ-TTg set the overall objective of creating conditions for domestic mechanical engineering enterprises to gradually enhance their capacity and move toward mastering the technology for designing and manufacturing equipment for thermal power plants, thereby promoting the development of the domestic mechanical engineering industry. In addition, Decision No. 1791/QĐ-TTg also set specific objectives to pilot the domestic design and manufacture of auxiliary equipment systems (including all equipment synchronized with the main equipment: boilers, turbines, and generators) for three thermal power plant projects (Quang Trach 1, Song Hau 1, and Quynh Lap 1).

The project: “Research, design, manufacture, and commissioning of a number of auxiliary equipment systems for coal-fired thermal power plants with unit capacity up to about 600 MW” aimed to master the design, manufacture, installation, and operation of the following systems: coal unloading and conveying; ash and slag disposal; flue gas discharge; circulating cooling water; fire protection; output distribution substation up to 500kV and secondary systems;…

Coal unloading and conveying system researched and manufactured by NARIME.

For the coal unloading and conveying system (NARIME as lead implementer): localization reached 56% in value for the entire system, providing a basis for localization up to 80% in subsequent projects. In terms of project management capacity, NARIME can fully take the initiative without depending on foreign contractors, saving 20% in costs compared to foreign contractors. With its design, manufacturing, and project management capabilities, having successfully implemented the coal unloading and conveying system at Song Hau 1 Thermal Power Plant, NARIME is confident enough to become a subcontractor for foreign companies or projects invested in by foreign entities.

For the ash and slag disposal system (NARIME as lead implementer): has independently carried out the entire design and manufacture for the ash and slag disposal systems of Thai Binh 1 Thermal Power Plant, Nghi Son 2 (Doosan - South Korea as general contractor), and Vung Ang 2 Thermal Power Plant (Hyundai - South Korea as general contractor).

For the flue gas discharge system (LILAMA as lead implementer): has achieved mastery in detailed design, with localization reaching 50% in value for the entire system, providing a basis for localization up to 70% in subsequent projects. In terms of project management capacity, LILAMA can fully take the initiative without depending on foreign contractors, helping to reduce costs by 10-20% compared to equipment prices from foreign contractors of equivalent quality.

Cooling water system at Song Hau 1 Thermal Power Plant designed, manufactured, installed, and commissioned by LILAMA 18.

For the circulating cooling water system: LILAMA as lead implementer, has the ability to master detailed design, with localization of approximately 50% in value for the entire system, providing a basis for localization up to 70% in subsequent projects.

For the output distribution substation up to 500kV and secondary systems for thermal power plants: EEMC as lead implementer, has the ability to master the design of large-capacity transformers, with localization reaching 70% in value for the entire system, providing a basis for localization up to 80% in subsequent projects, helping to reduce costs by 10-15% compared to prices from foreign contractors with products of equivalent quality. Particularly, EEMC has the capability to design, manufacture, and supply transformers for power plants and the national transmission system.

For the fire protection system: NARIME has handed over and put into use at Song Hau 1 Thermal Power Plant, with cost reduced by nearly 25% compared to previous projects implemented by foreign suppliers.

For the technical design of thermal power plants: PECC1 as lead implementer, has fully completed the quantity, quality, and types of products ordered by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Although not yet applied to a specific project (due to adjustments in investment planning for coal-fired power plants), it has helped improve the capacity of PECC1's personnel and can be applied to design LNG power plants or other industrial projects.

Effectiveness Achieved

This is the first time that, using the endogenous strength of domestic scientists, a complete set of equipment for a 600 MW coal-fired thermal power plant has been researched, designed, and manufactured in Vietnam. The successful manufacture of these items has enhanced the qualifications of research and project management personnel in the science and technology sector. In addition, the successful implementation of the project has reduced the investment cost for items of 600 MW coal-fired thermal power plants by 10-20%, while reducing about 65% of the cost of hiring foreign experts for project management, design consulting, and other technical services. The localization rate for the entire synchronous equipment line has gradually increased, reaching 70-80% in volume and 40-50% in value. For equipment manufacturing units, from initially only being able to manufacture simple equipment under foreign designs, they have risen to independently design and manufacture complex equipment with high intellectual content, increasing the profit margin on revenue of the enterprises. The project contributes to promoting the development of the design consulting and mechanical engineering industry; increasing national autonomy in the manufacture of synchronous equipment for thermal power plants in particular and in the mechanical engineering industry in general.

The success of the project is an important basis for continuing to apply this approach to coal-fired thermal power projects or gas/wind power plants in the coming period, in the context of Vietnam implementing tasks and solutions to control greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Environmental Protection 2020 and guiding documents, contributing to the successful achievement of the net-zero emissions target by 2050 as committed by the Government at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26).

Source: Vietnam Journal of Science and Technology