Wave energy, like wind and solar energy, is a renewable energy source that does not emit greenhouse gases and has long-term potential.
Wave energy has great potential to provide a part of clean energy for the world, especially for countries with long coastlines.
Vietnam is among them, possessing over 3,260km of coastline, stretching from North to South, an exclusive economic zone of 200 nautical miles (not including the coast of the islands), ranking 27th out of 157 coastal countries, island nations and territories in the world.
Wave energy is a form of renewable energy generated from the movement of ocean waves. When waves move across the water surface, they carry a large amount of energy, which can be exploited and converted into electricity through various technologies. There is a remarkable feature - ocean wave energy is inexhaustible, a clean energy source that is currently underexploited, but in the future can help us reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Wave energy is even more reliable and has advantages over solar and wind energy.
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| Vietnam has over 3,260 km of coastline, stretching from North to South. (Source: pqr.vn) |
The International Energy Agency has predicted that the ocean energy industry will grow to more than 300 Gigawatts by 2050. Many countries have begun to pay attention and effectively exploit this energy source. Europe and some other regions are promoting the development of wave energy with policies and financial support.
Australia, surrounded by ocean, is also one of the leading countries experimenting with harnessing the potential of its long coastline and powerful waves. The nascent wave energy sector is becoming an important part of the country’s renewable energy mix, and could be a key element on the road to Net Zero.
The Wave Energy in Australia report, released at the 2024 International Ocean Energy Conference (Melbourne, Australia), affirms that in addition to its natural potential, the country already possesses world-class research, innovation and technology development capabilities and expertise, along with a skilled workforce, ready to accelerate the wave energy industry.
Professor Hugh Wolgamot, Director of the Blue Economy CRC Project from the University of Western Australia, said he wanted to “bring wave energy to the forefront of the energy transition conversation, by demonstrating the outstanding potential of wave energy in Australia.
Calling it “time to act” for a net zero emissions target, however, Australia also faces a number of policy, technological and cost challenges. Therefore, despite possessing full potential, wave energy projects in Australia have not really been prominent, mainly focusing on building wave energy harvesting devices, such as power generators installed along the coast.
The Carnegie Clean Energy project on the west coast of Australia is leading the way in wave energy technology, with some test modules generating around 240kW of power, with the potential to reach 10MW or more in later stages. Other potential areas such as New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania are also conducting research and testing to develop this inexhaustible green energy source.
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| A wave energy recovery module from the Carnegie Clean Energy project (Source: carnegiece.com) |
Wave energy technology often uses devices of different shapes and sizes, placed on the coast or in the sea, using the movement of waves to generate electricity.
Some prominent technologies being used to exploit wave energy include: Pelamis (a system of interconnected buoys, placed in the water and moving with the rise and fall of the waves); Oyster (a nearshore wave energy exploitation device, operating as a piston pump); Wave Energy Converter_WEC (a general term for devices designed to convert wave energy into electricity)
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| Pelamis technology model for wave energy recovery. (Source: 2010 IEEE International Energy Conference) |
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| Oyster technology model for wave energy recovery. (Source: Aquamarine Power) |
The outstanding advantage of wave energy is that it is a renewable energy source and does not cause pollution. Compared with wind and solar energy, wave energy can produce electricity more stably because ocean waves appear more frequently and are stronger, especially in areas near the shore.
Wave energy projects can be deployed near offshore energy consumption areas such as islands, helping to reduce electricity transmission and distribution costs.
However, wave energy technology is currently quite expensive, both in terms of construction investment and maintenance costs. Designing and constructing wave energy systems in harsh, fluctuating environments also requires high technology and precise calculations to ensure sustainability and efficiency.
Vietnam has favorable conditions to develop these clean and endless energy projects. Possessing great potential in exploiting wave energy, thanks to its geographical features and natural conditions, Vietnam's coastline is not only long, but also very diverse, with many sea areas with strong and stable waves, including areas such as Quang Ngai, Phu Yen, Binh Thuan and the southern provinces.
Along with the strong development of the economy and population, Vietnam is also facing an increasing demand for energy. Meanwhile, the use of fossil energy sources is causing problems of environmental pollution and sustainable development. Therefore, renewable, green, clean energy sources such as wind energy, solar energy and wave energy are expected to make a great contribution to the national energy structure in the future.
As climate conditions in Vietnam can be unstable throughout the year, wave energy can be effectively combined with wind and solar energy to create a stable and diverse renewable energy system.
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| The central coast of Vietnam is home to many areas with big waves all year round. (Source: Internet) |
On February 11, 2020, Vietnam issued Resolution No. 55-NQ/TW "On the orientation of Vietnam's national energy development strategy to 2030, with a vision to 2045", demonstrating the Government's determination to ensure national energy security; provide sufficient and stable energy to serve socio-economic development goals. The Resolution also emphasized the need to develop breakthrough mechanisms and policies to encourage and promote the strong development of renewable energy sources to replace fossil energy sources to the maximum extent.
It can be affirmed that Vietnam has the “necessary conditions” which are a huge potential to exploit and develop the wave energy industry. However, the “sufficient conditions” to develop wave energy in Vietnam need significant investment in research, testing and technology deployment, because this is likely to be the next wave of renewable energy and an important part of Vietnam’s renewable energy development strategy in the future.
Source: https://baoquocte.vn/viet-nam-so-huu-nguon-nang-luong-sach-vo-tan-tu-dai-duong-305980.html
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