In the context of the environment facing many negative impacts, the conversion from fossil energy to renewable energy sources is considered an urgent trend today. Especially the abundant wind energy source - which is an advantage of a country bordering the East Sea like Vietnam. So what is wind energy, what is the development potential of this renewable energy in Vietnam? Let's GREEN IN Find out about this issue through the article below!
1. What is wind energy?
Wind energy is energy generated from the movement of air in the atmosphere and converted into electricity through wind turbines. The turbine converts the rotational motion of the blades into mechanical energy, which is then converted into electricity by a generator. - International Renewable Energy Agency - IRENA
2. Common applications of wind energy
Hundreds of years ago, people knew how to use wind energy to help in life activities including using wind to sail, carry water, wash clothes, fly kites, surf... Over time, the use of wind energy has become more and more diverse with the development of technology, especially wind power.
Initially, people only knew how to use windmills to take advantage of wind power. However, with the development of the mechanical industry, devices to generate electricity from wind have been greatly improved. The original windmills were gradually replaced by modern wind turbines. Especially after the oil crisis in the 1970s, research and application of renewable energy sources were more focused than ever, including the strong development of wind turbine technology.
3. Outstanding advantages of wind energy
3.1. Inexhaustible energy source
As a natural phenomenon created from the nuclear fusion process of the sun, you can be completely assured that wind energy will be exhausted. Therefore, wind energy will always be exploited unless the sun no longer shines on the Earth. This is different from fossil energy such as oil, coal, natural gas, etc.
3.2. Clean energy sources
Wind energy is a clean, green source of energy because it does not cause negative impacts on the environment. While traditional power plants can be the cause of the greenhouse effect and air pollution, the process of producing wind power almost does not emit emissions, although only the process of installing turbines can contribute to global warming.
3.3. Maximum savings in production costs
The cost of exploiting wind energy will be much cheaper because this is a free energy source, which will also affect the price of wind power.
3.4. Installing wind turbines in different locations
As long as the wind is strong enough, that location can be completely installed with turbines to produce electricity, especially offshore because the wind blows stronger and more evenly than on land, thereby helping the power system become smoother and more stable.
3.5. Is a booming industry
The wind energy industry is in a period of rapid development, leading to an increasing demand for human resources. Job positions range from design, installation, production to maintenance and customer care.
3.6. Land utilization in wind farms
Wind farms not only provide abundant and stable electricity but also bring double benefits from efficient land use. Unlike solar farms, the area between wind turbines can be utilized for agricultural cultivation. This helps to minimize the waste of land resources, while optimizing the economic value of each square meter.
3.7. Saving installation and operating costs
Wind turbine systems are increasingly designed to be simpler while still ensuring functionality thanks to the development of modern technology, thereby helping to reduce maintenance needs and save operating costs. Although the technology used seems complicated, optimizing the installation and operation process has contributed to significantly reducing the cost of electricity production. This not only brings economic benefits but also promotes the competitiveness of wind energy in the renewable energy market.
4. Disadvantages of wind energy
4.1. Noise pollution
The sound produced by the operation of wind turbines can travel up to 2km. However, this noise will not cause discomfort to listeners like the noise emitted from densely populated areas or highways.
4.2. Impact on animals
Although wind turbines have less impact on the environment than high-rise buildings, they still cause certain impacts on birds and wildlife such as collisions causing injuries, habitat encroachment... Scientists are constantly researching and applying solutions to minimize these negative impacts to the lowest level, contributing to protecting the natural ecosystem.
4.3. Unstable wind force
One of the major limitations of wind energy is the instability of wind power. Wind can vary in strength and direction, making the process of generating electricity difficult to predict and control. However, thanks to modern technological advances, this problem is gradually being solved as modern automatic anemometers are capable of monitoring wind speed and direction, helping to adjust the rotation direction of the turbine to optimize energy harvesting efficiency.
5. Potential for wind energy development in Vietnam
With the government’s interest in developing renewable energy and the strong participation of domestic and foreign investors, the wind energy industry in Vietnam is forecast to enter a period of rapid development. Projects with larger scale, more advanced technology and increasingly improved efficiency will contribute significantly to ensuring national energy security.
To fully exploit the potential of wind energy, it is important to balance economic development and environmental protection. Resource management measures, protection of local communities and the participation of many stakeholders will be the foundation for the sustainable development of this energy production industry. Wind energy not only brings attractive investment but also creates thousands of jobs, promoting the economic restructuring towards green and sustainable.
The wind power industry in Vietnam is expected to not only keep up with the growth in energy demand but also become one of the pioneers of renewable energy, contributing to climate change mitigation and environmental protection. With the joint efforts of the government, businesses and the community, Vietnam can turn its wind advantage into a driving force for sustainable development in the future.
6. Conclusion
The above article has helped you learn about wind energy. Hopefully our information will be of some help to you as well as contribute to the process of environmental protection. Don’t forget to follow the next articles at GREEN IN for more updated information!