In addition to analyzing the defects in the current energy system and the energy-saving orientations and  goals, the article outlines the benefits of applying an energy management system (EMS), basic functions of EMS and suggestions how to apply EMS in energy-using facilities.

Along with the socio-economic development, Vietnam's energy industry has made great strides in recent years. The energy system of Vietnam is increasingly developing and improving both in scale and efficiency. However, energy use in Vietnam is still wasteful. The intensity of energy use in Vietnam is much higher than that of other countries in the region and the world. The intensity of electricity consumption (kWh/1,000 VND) of the whole economy in Vietnam is forecast to increase, especially in industry and services. In order to ensure national energy security and provide adequate and stable energy for socio-economic development, the Politburo has issued Resolution No. 55-NQ/TW on orientations of the development strategy for Vietnam national energy to 2030, with a vision to 2045. Accordingly, Vietnam aims to save 8-10% of the total national energy consumption in the period from 2019 to 2030.

Accessing and capturing new technological achievements to accelerate the country's industrialization in a smart, efficient and sustainable direction is an indispensable requirement. Accordingly, the development of smart energy systems is a trend and is also a specific result of the industrial revolution 4.0, thereby gradually changing the traditional energy industry. In addition to applying smart technology to create breakthroughs in the development of energy systems, new energy sources and renewable energy, the application of smart systems to  economically and efficiently manage the use of energy is a matter of concern, especially with regard to energy use in buildings and industrial plants.

Besides, in recent years the applications of IoT (Internet of Things) have had a profound impact on all areas of our lives from business, healthcare, agriculture, industry, energy to transport, military (Said, Al-Makhadmeh, & Tolba, 2020). The development of IoT technology has brought many opportunities for researchers to apply in these fields through data processing and application of artificial intelligence (Wu, Dong, Ota, Li, & Guan, 2018). The achievements of the industrial revolution 4.0 have opened up many opportunities for countries, especially developing countries like Vietnam to improve productivity and shorten the development gap.

Energy Management System (EMS) is a system that applies technology in energy management to track, monitor and control energy consumption. The main objective of EMS is to examine the assessment and control of energy consumption problems in buildings or industrial plants across the entire process based on IoT environment (Said et al., 2020).

EMS can be started by measuring the main loads of the energy consuming system, alerting when there is a difference in energy consumption from the norm or forecast. In addition, this system also allows users to assign energy consumption to each area or production line to optimize energy use and encourage users to improve efficiency in the energy use. When there is enough data, the EMS system will automatically calculate the energy efficiency indicators and produce updated, automatic reports.

The basic functions of EMS include:

- Monitoring function: Through displaying the main parameters of the system, current values, changes in energy consumption situation, extracting warnings to help administrators promptly make timely decisions. appropriate decisions;

EMS software (Source: AmiTech, 2021)

- Management function: Manage energy consumption situation, extract periodical report data as required and according to ISO 50001 standard;

- Forecasting function: Based on the obtained energy consumption database, the EMS system will calculate, analyze and give a forecast of future energy consumption. In addition, as a result of this data analysis, EMS can help users fastly build accurate energy consumption norms.

Illustration of the system of energy measurement points (Source: ATPro, 2019)

Thus, applying EMS can help users improve energy efficiency through monitoring, management and forecasting, thereby reducing energy costs. More importantly, efficient use of energy will contribute to energy security and reduce energy intensity.

Functions of EMS (Source: AmiTech, 2021)

Currently, on the market, there are many agencies providing solutions of EMS system on modern digital platforms. Users can optionally request functions and configure software flexibly with appropriate investment costs. EMS solutions can quickly integrate and synchronize with existing management softwares and systems in buildings or factories. In addition, users can also set up their own management indicators or customized energy reporting forms.

In Vietnam, there are now many businesses that have successfully deployed the EMS system to bring efficiency in industrial production fields such as plastic, garment, mechanical etc. In addition, the commercial centers, buildings, hotels hava also implemented energy consumption management with these smart EMS softwares. In the future, EMS is forecasted to be a widely applied trend to many fields, sectors and subjects.

It can be seen that EMS systems are becoming a new trend in energy management and monitoring in industries and commercial buildings. EMS application not only helps users accurately and intelligently manage indicators related to energy consumption, brings economic benefits, but also actively contributes to the national digital transformation strategy in the near future. /.

Dr. Nguyen Dat Minh

& Vietnam Energy Conservation and Energy Efficiency Association

References:

1) Resolution No. 55-QG/TW dated February 11, 2020 of the Politburo on the strategic orientation of Vietnam's national energy development to 2030, with a vision to 2045 (2020).

2) Bui Huy Phung. (2017). Vietnam's energy industry and industrial revolution 4.0.

3) Said, O., Al-Makhadmeh, Z., & Tolba, A. (2020). EMS: An energy management scheme for green IoT environments. IEEE access, 8, 44983-44998.

4) Vietnam Electricity Corporation. (2019). Smart energy development: Strategic priorities in national digital transformation.