Advantages and disadvantages of wind energy

1.1 How is wind energy generated?

Wind is the movement of air caused by differences in atmospheric pressure on Earth, which mainly results from the uneven heating of the Earth's surface by the Sun. When warm air expands, it creates a pressure imbalance with the cooler air nearby. The cooler air quickly moves in to fill this space - this movement is what we call wind.

Wind power, or wind energy, is a type of renewable energy that harnesses the power of the wind to generate electricity. The principle behind wind energy involves using wind turbines to convert the kinetic energy of moving air (wind) into electrical energy. Wind turns the blades of the turbine, which are connected to a generator inside a component called the nacelle (the housing unit at the top of the tower). As the blades spin, the mechanical energy is transferred to the generator, which converts it into electricity.

The electricity generated can be used directly for specific needs, such as powering streetlights or remote farms. Alternatively, it can be fed into the national power grid, where it is transmitted via power lines and cables to supply homes, businesses, and schools with electricity.

1.2 What is a wind energy farm?

Wind farms are groups of wind turbines - typically built on agricultural land or in rural areas. There are three main types of wind farms:

• Onshore wind farms: These usually consist of smaller-capacity wind turbines, making them convenient for grid connection and requiring lower investment costs.
• Offshore wind farms: Built in deep-water areas, these benefit from stronger and more stable wind speeds, ensuring higher electricity production efficiency.
• Distributed wind farms: This model involves installing wind turbines individually or in small clusters rather than concentrating them in large-scale wind farms.

Similar to solar power, wind energy has both advantages and limitations.

2.1 Advantages of wind energy

• Wind is a renewable energy source: Wind turbines harness energy from the wind by using rotational mechanisms to generate electricity. Wind is not only abundant and inexhaustible but also produces electricity without burning fuel or causing air pollution.
• Cost-effective electricity generation: Large-scale land-based wind turbines are currently one of the lowest-cost energy sources. Additionally, wind power continues to become more competitive due to advances in science and technology.
• Wind turbines can operate in diverse environments: Wind energy generation is well-suited for agricultural and multi-use land areas. It can also be deployed in remote and rural areas, farms, ranches, coastal regions, and islands where wind resources are plentiful.

2.2 Disadvantages of wind energy

• Ideal wind sites are often in remote locations: Delivering electricity from wind farms to urban areas with high demand poses installation and transmission challenges. Additionally, wind energy's stability and capacity depend on weather conditions.
• Wind turbines generate noise: While wind farms impact the environment differently than conventional power plants, concerns exist about the noise produced by turbine blades and their effect on the landscape.
• Transportation challenges: Wind turbines are becoming larger to improve energy efficiency. However, this makes transportation and installation more complicated, especially in areas with difficult terrain. Expanding infrastructure to facilitate transportation can increase project costs.
• Storage and transmission issues: Since wind power production is variable, efficient energy storage or a strong grid connection is necessary to ensure continuous electricity supply. However, energy storage technologies, such as batteries, remain costly, and upgrading transmission networks to connect wind farms to population centers is a major challenge.

To harness wind energy, wind turbines must be installed and deployed.

3.1 Components of a wind turbine

A wind turbine consists of multiple components, with the key parts including:

• Nacelle: The outer casing of the wind turbine, which protects internal components such as the gearbox, generator, and yaw motor.
• Loop: A flexible electrical cable system that ensures adaptability to the turbine's movements during operation.
• Wind turbine tower: Supports the nacelle and must be anchored securely to the ground with a stable foundation to withstand loads.
• Other components: These include lift, cable connectors, and various support structures.

In recent years, Vietnam has made significant progress in renewable energy, particularly in wind power. According to Power Development Plan VIII, the country aims to develop approximately 6,000 MW of offshore wind power capacity by 2030.

Despite challenges related to policies, infrastructure, electricity market mechanisms, and licensing procedures, wind energy remains a promising sector with the potential to make substantial contributions to Vietnam’s renewable energy portfolio. Many coastal provinces in Vietnam possess high potential for wind energy development, particularly in the following regions:

• Central coastal areas, including Ninh Thuan, Bình Thuan, Phu Yen, Quang Nam, and Quang Ngai.
• Southern coastal areas, such as Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Phuoc, Kien Giang, and Ca Mau.
• Northern coastal areas, including Quang Ninh, Nam Đinh, Thai Binh, and Hai Phong.