TOPIC: GREEN ENERGY IN NEW ERA
Đặng Nhật Dương - 20210246
1 NEW ERA WITH GREEN RESOURCES
Green energy, or renewable energy, is a source of power derived from environmen-
tally friendly resources that have no harmful impact on ecosystems. The strength of this
energy source lies in its self-replenishing capability and its "green" nature. The out-
standing advantages of this new era’s resources will lay the foundation for mitigating the
effects of climate change and building a sustainable future
Based on the raw materials utilized, scientists have classified renewable energy as
follows:
1. Sun energy
2. Wind energy
3. Biological energy
4. Geothermal energy
5. Water energy
Renewable energy has become a development trend since the late 19th century, when
concerns about resource depletion prompted scientists to explore various new energy
sources. They recognized the immense potential of harnessing natural resources such as
wind, water, sunlight, and more. However, breakthroughs in the energy revolution also
faced many obstacles due to technological conditions and investment costs. Table 1.1
will outline the advantages and disadvantages of this promising resource.
1
Bảng 1.1 Pros and cons of green resourcesresources
Advantages Disadvantages
Sustainable, large reserves Requires advanced technology and technical skills
Environmentally friendly Low stability, low density
Readily available, no raw material costs Requires very high investment costs
Creates job opportunities for many workers Workers must meet high specialized requirements
To harness this abundant and clean resource, many technological and engineering
initiatives have been implemented into the extraction process. Throughout history, the
application of advanced technology in resource extraction has been increasingly empha-
sized. Alongside this development, there have been breakthroughs in diversifying the
extraction of resources beyond water and wind.
2 METHODS OF HARNESSING RENEWABLE ENERGY
2.1 Renewable energy technology
• Definition: It refers to the application of scientific and technological achievements
in harnessing renewable natural resources, with the goal of producing energy to
meet the needs of all humanity.
• General Energy Extraction Model:
Hình 2.1 Block diagram of the energy extraction model
On the left side of figure 2.1, there are renewable resources, extraction systems,
controllers, converters, and energy storage systems. In the middle, there are two types of
power transmission lines: DC and AC, a central control system, and the AC power grid.
On the right are the consumption loads. To explain the working of this model in more
detail, we have the following process:
2
First, renewable resources such as solar energy, hydro energy, etc, are harnessed
by systems like solar panel networks, turbine systems, hydroelectric systems, etc. The
output from these extraction systems is typically DC power.
Next, the electricity passes through controllers and converters (mainly converting DC
to AC) or is kept in DC form for storage and later use. To prevent energy loss, a battery
bank is applied to store energy when renewable sources are insufficient. For example,
with solar panels, the instability of the day-night cycle means sunlight is not consistently
available, so storage is used to ensure electricity can be used at night when there is no
sunlight.
Then, the DC power is transferred via DC transmission lines to the central control
unit. Based on the AC power grid, the transmitted energy is stepped up and directed to
the central controller. The central controller coordinates energy from various sources,
ensuring that energy is not lost or wasted, and supplies it to the AC power grid. De-
pending on the type of load, it will correspond to the appropriate transmission line. For
example, AC loads, such as air conditioners, light bulbs, etc., will be connected to the AC
bus. DC loads, such as small electronic devices, LED systems, etc., will be connected to
the DC bus.
2.2 Prominent renewable energy technologies
2.2.1 Wind energy
Wind was the primary energy source for irrigation, agriculture, and connecting re-
gions before the Industrial Revolution. However, the full utilization of wind farms in the
United States occurred during the 1930s and 1940s. Table 2.2 in [1] shows a chart of
wind energy usage worldwide as of 2009.
Bảng 2.2 Wind energy installed in world, End of 2009
Application No. Capacity, MW
Wind turbines 141,000 158,000
Distributed community 1,300 400
Wind diessel 270 28
Village power 2,000 50
Small wind turbines 650,000 220-270
Telecommunication 500 2-5
Farm windmill 310,000 155
a) Wind resources, according to [1], includes:
• Wind Shear: refers to the change in wind speed with respect to height. The
higher the altitude, the greater the wind speed. This relationship is expressed
3
by the formula in [1]: α
v H
= (2.1)
v0 H0
• Wind power maps (W /m2 ): These maps represent the wind energy at various
heights. Older maps typically used a reference height of 10 meters, while the
50-meter measurement utilizes the formula 2.1 with α = 0.14
b) Wind Turbine Technology
Wind turbines are classified based on the interaction between the blades and the
wind, the orientation of the rotor in relation to the ground and tower, and other
advanced equipment.
Wind turbines are categorized based on the interaction between the blades and the
wind: drag, lift, or both.
Wind turbines are also categorized based on rotor orientation, including: Horizontal
Axis Wind Turbines (HAWT) and Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWT). Figure
2.2, according to [2], shows the operation of HAWT and VAWT.
Hình 2.2 Rotor orientation specification
A complete system consists of a wind turbine and load, also known as a Wind
Energy Conversion System (WECS). The typical system includes rotors (blades and
shaft), a gearbox, converter, controller, and yawing mechanism. The most common
configuration of a wind turbine includes three blades, a pitch controller (motor in
4
the shaft), a yaw motor, a gearbox, and a generator. The gearbox and generator are
covered by a casing called the nacelle. Figure 2.3 illustrates the complete structure
of a wind turbine. The product of a wind turbine is rotational kinetic energy, which
can be converted into other forms of energy, most commonly electricity.
Hình 2.3 Structure of a Wind Turbine
c) Advantages and Disadvantages of Wind Turbines. Challenges in Deployment
Table 2.3 clearly outlines the advantages and disadvantages, along with a compar-
ison of various aspects of wind turbines.
Bảng 2.3 Advantages and Disadvantages of Wind Turbines
Advantages Disadvantages
Unlimited energy source, no pollution Unstable, depends on wind cycles
Reduces CO2 emissions, mitigates climate change Affects landscapes, wildlife
Low operating costs High initial investment costs
Widely applicable in both large and small scales Requires large infrastructure
Challenges in Wind Turbine Application:
• Wind Variability: Wind speed fluctuates continuously, making it difficult to
maintain stable electricity output. Energy storage solutions or hybrid systems
with other renewable sources like solar power can help address this issue.
5
• Environmental Impact: Wind turbines can affect wildlife, particularly birds
and bats. Additionally, the construction of wind farms can impact landscapes
and generate noise.
• Space Requirements: Wind farms require large areas of land for turbine in-
stallation. This can be challenging in densely populated areas or places with
limited land availability.
• Cost: Significant investment is needed to deploy wind farms.
Summary:
Wind energy plays an important role in producing new energy in many countries
around the world. The application of wind turbines in production has shown many out-
standing advantages over other non-renewable energy sources. However, alongside these
advantages, wind turbines also face many challenges and drawbacks due to their heavy
dependence on an unstable energy source and installation conditions. According to the
report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), global wind power installation ca-
pacity reached approximately 837 GW in 2020, with an average annual growth rate of
around 10 %. In Vietnam, the potential for wind energy installation is very high, espe-
cially in coastal areas. According to the UNDP report, Vietnam’s wind energy potential
could reach up to 513 GW, while the actual installed capacity is around 75 GW.
2.2.2 Water energy
Hydropower is one of the oldest known sources of energy. We often hear about
waterwheels that were created many years before Christ. There are many types of hy-
dropower, but the most well-known is hydropower (energy from water that generates
electricity stored in dams).
a) Water resources, according to [3], includes
• Hydroelectric power
• Energy from river and sea currents
• Tidal energy created by the gravitational forces between the moon and the sun
• Wave energy generated by wind
b) Water turbine technology
Water turbines are classified into two types: impulse turbines and reaction turbines.
The choice of turbine depends on the pressure head and flow rate, or the volume of
water per area. Other criteria include installation depth, efficiency, and cost. Figure
2.4 related to [4] classifies turbines based on water pressure
6
Bảng 2.4 Turbines catagorize
Water pressure
Turbines types High Medium Low
Impulse Pelton Cross flow Cross flow
Turgo Turgo
Multijet Pelton Multijet Pelton
Reaction Francis Propeller
Kaplan
• Impulse turbines
Impulse turbines use the velocity of water to move the shaft and generate air
pressure. Water strikes parts of the turbine wheel and flows out through the
bottom. These turbines are typically used for high and medium-pressure surface
waters.
Hình 2.4 Example of a cross-flow impulse turbine
• Reaction turbines
Reaction turbines combine both pressure and kinetic energy from water, creat-
ing pressure variations on the runner shaft, which then generates energy. Un-
like impulse turbines, which allow water to strike individual blades, reaction
turbines allow the water to flow through the blades. Reaction turbines are typi-
cally used in areas with low head and high flow.
7
Hình 2.5 Example of a Francis reaction turbine
c) Advantages and disadvantages of water turbines. Deployment challenges
Table 2.5 highlights the advantages and disadvantages of water turbines.
Bảng 2.5 Advantages and disadvantages of Water Turbines
Advantages Disadvantages
High efficiency High investment costs
Abundant energy source Heavy impact on marine life and water flow
Long operational lifespan Dependent on natural conditions
Contributes to stable, continuous systems Limited installation locations
Challenges when deploying water turbines
• Significant impact on marine ecosystems: Altering natural river flow can
significantly affect wildlife and people living along the coast.
• Dependence on natural conditions: Despite the fact that 70 % of Earth is
covered by water, droughts or reduced water flow in certain regions can cause
energy instability.
• High technical requirements: The systems require advanced operational and
maintenance skills. This can be difficult in remote or deep areas, reducing
efficiency.
Summary:
Hydropower has played a significant role in human life since ancient times. Today,
hydroelectric power still leads in the amount of energy generated from natural resources.
8
This demonstrates the immense potential and widespread application of hydropower
technology around the world. Despite its long history, challenges in deployment still
exist, mainly due to the many factors required for its successful operation. According to
the International Energy Agency (IEA), by 2050, hydropower could help cut over 1 bil-
lion tons of CO2 each year if development trends continue. Large domestic projects, such
as the Hoa Binh Dam and the Three Gorges Dam in China, have also made significant
contributions to energy supply.
3 APPLICATIONS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGY
3.1 Global applications
The benefits of renewable resources have contributed greatly to energy production,
particularly energy from water. In the early days of renewable energy development, due
to a lack of technology and skilled engineers, the ability to access resources was limited,
with hydropower being the primary source. Over time, with the development of science
and technology, many countries have expanded to use other resources. Figure 3.6 below
shows the development of power generation technology as of the end of 2023, as shown
in [5].
Hình 3.6 Energy exploitation worldwide until 2023
As can be seen, hydropower is the largest renewable energy source in the world. From
1965 to 2023, hydropower generation has consistently increased, reaching nearly 4000
TWh. This shows a stable growth rate throughout the period, reflecting the longevity of
this energy source. The second-largest energy source is wind energy. Since around the
year 2000, wind energy, with the development of wind farms, has experienced a boom,
achieving impressive results. To date, wind power has reached over 2000 TWh. Solar
energy emerged around 2005-2010, marking the development of photovoltaic panels. As
of 2023, solar energy production has reached over 1000 TWh.
9
Leading countries in the renewable energy industry include Germany (46% of elec-
tricity production in 2022), China (30% of electricity production in 2023), and the
United States (22% of electricity production in 2022).
3.2 Vietnam’s position in the world
3.2.1 Pros and cons of VietNam
Table 3.6 clearly illustrates the advantages and challenges in implementing renew-
able energy technology in Vietnam.
Bảng 3.6 Pros and cons of VietNam
Advantages Disadvantages
In the tropical monsoon region,
The Central region is often affected by storms and floods
high number of sunny hours
Long coastline, Mountains and highlands occupy large areas,
dense river system causing difficulties in construction
Abundant and diverse biomass resources Lack of advanced technology and expertise
Rich human resources Low-skilled workforce
Investment-friendly policies High initial investment costs
Vietnam has great potential for developing renewable energy due to its geographical
advantages, but it needs to address challenges related to technology and policies. In-
vesting in modern technologies and building integrated infrastructure will help Vietnam
effectively harness these energy sources, contributing to environmental protection and
ensuring energy security in the future. Figure 3.7, according to [6],shows the percentage
of energy extracted from various sources in Vietnam in 2021.
Hình 3.7 Biểu đồ khai thác năng lượng Việt Nam năm 2021
10
3.2.2 Application of technology in Vietnam:
a) Technologies currently used::
• Solar power: Rooftop solar systems and solar farms in Ninh Thuan, Binh
Thuan, Tay Nguyen.
• Wind farms in Bac Lieu, Ninh Thuan.
• Large hydropower plants: Son La, Lai Chau, Hoa Binh.
• Biomass energy: Utilizing agricultural by-products (rice husks, sawdust, straw)
for electricity generation and household materials.
b) Potential for new technology applications::
• Geothermal energy: Exploited in areas with abundant geothermal resources
like the Tay Nguyen.
• Waste-to-energy technology: Vietnam has a high rate of household waste, which
can be converted into a continuous energy source.
• Large-scale energy storage technology: Storing unused energy to prevent excess
or energy loss.
11
4 CONCLUSION
Renewable energy is an infinite source of energy that cannot be depleted over long
periods of use. The diversity of renewable energy compensates for each other’s short-
comings, ensuring a continuous energy supply throughout the day while also helping to
reduce environmental pollution.
Renewable energy has numerous advantages over fossil fuels, which are still widely
used today, particularly its ability to reduce CO2 emissions and other pollutants, thus
improving air quality. The use of renewable energy reduces dependence on fossil fuels,
ensuring energy security for nations. However, renewable energy also presents many
challenges, especially the instability of natural resources and the high cost of large-scale
investment—issues that most countries cannot currently address. This requires signifi-
cant investments in research and development of technology, as well as improving energy
storage and distribution infrastructure.
Vietnam, with its geographical location and tropical monsoon climate, has great po-
tential for strong development in this emerging field, particularly in wind, solar, and
hydroelectric energy. Despite these advantages, Vietnam also faces major challenges
in implementing renewable energy: issues with technology, expertise, initial investment
costs, and natural factors. This requires significant investment, incentives, and govern-
ment support for installation costs to fully leverage Vietnam’s natural advantages. Such
efforts could elevate the country on the international stage.
12
REFERENCES
[1] V. Nelson, Introduction to Renewable Energy, 1st. Boca Raton, FL, USA: CRC
Press, 2011, ch. 9, pp. 169–174.
[2] V. Nelson, Introduction to Renewable Energy, 1st. Boca Raton, FL, USA: CRC
Press, 2011, ch. 9, pp. 174–178.
[3] V. Nelson, Introduction to Renewable Energy, 1st. Boca Raton, FL, USA: CRC
Press, 2011, ch. 12, pp. 245–246.
[4] V. Nelson, Introduction to Renewable Energy, 1st. Boca Raton, FL, USA: CRC
Press, 2011, ch. 12, pp. 253–256.
[5] E. I. .-. S. R. of World Energy. “Renewable electricity generation, world.” (2024,
Jun.20), [Online]. Available: https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/modern-
renewable-energy-consumption.
[6] A. Nguyen. “Năng lượng tái tạo việt nam năm 2021 – tăng trưởng ấn tượng trong
chuyển dịch năng lượng bền vững.” (2021, Dec.21), [Online]. Available: https:
/ / kinhtemoitruong . vn / nang - luong - tai - tao - viet - nam - nam - 2021 -
tang - truong - an - tuong - trong - chuyen - dich - nang - luong - ben - vung -
62269.html.
13
