Smart Operation with Next Gen Automation – The Key to Enabling the All Electric Society
September 2, 2026
Annie Nguyễn, VAHC Secretariat
Speaker Fan Shen Yin (Phoenix Contact) shares a vision for comprehensive automation solutions across the entire Power-to-X value chain
At the "Energy Evolution: Empowering the Future of Industrial Energy" workshop, co-hosted by Phoenix Contact and the Vietnam ASEAN Hydrogen Club (VAHC) in Ho Chi Minh City on August 20, Mr. Fan Shen Yin, representing Phoenix Contact, delivered an in-depth presentation on "Smart Operation with Next Gen Automation".
Mr. Fan Shen Yin speaking at the Seminar
His talk focused on next-generation automation solutions as the foundational technology for intelligently operating Power-to-X systems, spanning hydrogen production, refueling stations, and fuel cell applications.
Automation for the entire hydrogen value chain
Mr. Fan Shen Yin emphasized that an efficient Power-to-X solution goes beyond electrolysis hardware, requiring the synchronized integration of electrification, automation, control, and digitalization. Phoenix Contact, with its PLCnext technology platform, provides open control solutions that connect, monitor, and optimize the entire chain.
Key applications presented included:
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Electrolysis Plants: Holistic concepts for electrification, networking, and automation, ensuring compliance with functional safety, explosion protection, and cybersecurity standards. The open control system allows easy connection to external systems, remote maintenance, and integration into larger systems.
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Hydrogen Refueling Stations: Automation solutions enabling remote connection of all sub-modules, interface standardization, and reduced engineering effort.
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Pipelines: Time-synchronous data acquisition and transmission for pipeline monitoring, with flexible transmission media and secure Internet connectivity.
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Fuel Cells: Control and safety solutions for marine, offshore, and stationary fuel cell applications, all adhering to maritime approvals and industry-compliant standards.
Smart Operations – Data at the Core
A significant focus of the presentation was the "Smart Operations" strategy. Mr. Fan Shen Yin highlighted Phoenix Contact's consistent approach from data acquisition to value-added services:
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Data Transparency: Solutions that simplify OT/IT integration, enabling system control based on complete, up-to-date data across heterogeneous bus systems.
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Predictive Maintenance: Early fault detection, optimized maintenance cycles, and continuous status monitoring, reducing downtime and costs.
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System Optimization: Leveraging AI to identify optimization potential and improve performance, allowing for system comparisons and cloud-based data analysis.
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Remote Access & Maintenance: Secure VPN connections (via mGuard Secure Cloud) for remote monitoring and troubleshooting, protecting against data loss and manipulation while reducing on-site service costs.
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Redundancy Concepts: Ensuring high system availability through adaptable redundancy solutions, balancing cost and protection to prevent critical function failures.
Connecting to the Ecosystem and Opportunities in Vietnam
This presentation on next-generation automation was part of a series of key talks at the event, reinforcing a core message: Technology is a necessity, but smart integration and operation are the decisive factors for realizing the "All Electric Society". Phoenix Contact, as a member of VAHC, is actively contributing to building the technical foundation and connecting the ecosystem for the hydrogen industry in Vietnam.
