Vietnamese young scientist and dream of renewable energy for his homeland

Vu Thanh Long, a 30-year-old Vietnamese guy who is a research scientist and lecturer (lecturer) Massachussets Institute of Technology is cherishing a new energy project for his homeland.

Earlier in the US, the young man Vu Thanh Long (from Nam Sach, Hai Duong) was very modest when talking about his achievements and learning process. It is a process of relentless striving and always set for ourselves the higher and higher goals to conquer.

Mr. Long has always set growing goals to find ways to overcome his limitations to achieve the set objectives.

Vu Thanh Long.

After completing the university of automatic control at Hanoi University of Technology, Thanh Long wanted to do research, and set a goal to apply to the research group of Professor Shuzhi Sam Ge - the world's leading professor at National University of Singapore (NUS).

"I wrote a letter to get acquainted, and thanks to the achievement of the first 3 times of the Mathematical Olympiad for students nationwide, I got the attention and support for NUS scholarship. This is Singapore's best doctoral scholarship. at that time, " recalls Vu Thanh Long.

After completing his doctorate, Long continued to set a target to study in the US. The young man dreams of going to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - the science and technology center of the United States and the world to be able to capture the world's most advanced technological advances.

Mr. Long continued to write letters to acquaint the professors at this prestigious school. Thanks to his achievement in the top 5 best doctoral thesis of NUS, Dr Long was noticed by Professor Konstantin Turitsyn and accepted to the institute for postdoctoral research (postdoc).

"This is my most effective research period, with a lot of projects that I like and many research grants from the Ministry of Energy and the US National Research Fund," Thanh Long said.

After 1.5 years, Thanh Long was promoted to be a researcher and also a lecturer at MIT, majoring in new energy. He was independently studied but still collaborated with Professor Turitsyn.

Thanks to the support of Professor Turitsyn, the MIT Academy specifically appoints Jackie Chan as a lecturer and researcher here about 1.5 years earlier than other postdoctoral researchers.

It can also be considered a dream record for many young people in Vietnam.

Dr. Long's research is currently focused on the energy sector.

"For me it is also remarkable achievements. But I understand that it is very modest compared to others. For example, Professor Jean-Jacques Slotine - whom I am cooperating with research only takes 2 years to completed his PhD studies at MIT and became a professor at MIT at the age of 24. I want to follow his path. " Dr. Vu Thanh Long shared.

Dr. Long's research is currently focused on the energy sector. He shares in the field of renewable energy (from wind, solar .) increasingly being put into more electricity systems to reduce environmental pollution caused by traditional power sources (coal and nuclear .).

However, renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power have increased continuously, difficult to meet consumer demand and may cause electricity shortage or widespread power outages.

"My current research focuses on the stability of a large electrical system with the integration of renewable energy sources. For example, I answer the question: How many parts can be integrated for each system? If there is a risk of system instability, what to do? " , MIT's young scientist shared.

Mr. Long is proposing a new research direction to maintain the stability of the electrical system by changing the system structure.

"For example, when a sharp decrease or increase in renewable energy causes a problem in one region, how should we coordinate or break down or change smart power lines to avoid the problem area? and maintaining the stability of the system, now this project has been approved by the US Department of Energy (IDEAS program) for its concept paper because of its breakthrough idea, Dr. Thanh Long explained in detail. .

Studies at MIT are often geared towards pioneering research. The actual introduction will need a lot of time to research, test, evaluate both economy and long-term impact.

These are all things that need effort and coordination of many scientists and electrical engineers. Currently, Mr. Long's group is cooperating with some US power companies for testing and evaluation.

Although he works on major research projects in the US, Mr. Long is always eager to devote his own knowledge to the country's energy sector.

Vietnam has the advantage of being one of the tropical countries, which is allocated a lot of sunshine, has a coastline of more than 3,000 km with a large amount of ocean wave energy, while the amount of wind in many regions is also abundant.

"These are favorable conditions for the development of renewable energy. However, it is necessary to study how much of renewable energy should be reasonable, economically in comparison with immediate investment. and also on the long-term impact on the stability of the electrical system, " notes MIT's young lecturer.

Dr. Vu Thanh Long at Massachussets Institute of Technology.

Therefore, Mr. Long's research can help Vietnam plan to develop renewable energy appropriately.

"In the future, I also hope to connect with a number of international organizations to help Vietnam build and develop renewable energy, for example, Breakthrough Energy Coalition fund," said Vu Thanh Long.

Wishing to contribute more to the development of the new energy industry in Vietnam, Long's group will hold an international conference later this year.

The 4th international conference on new energy that Mr. Long is participating in takes place every 2 years, and this is the first time held in Vietnam.

In particular, Dr. Long has invited the world's top professors such as the University Distinguished Professor of Texas A&M University, the American National Academy of Engineering and the Senior Academy of the Academy of Science. study the World); Professor Hsiao-Dong Chiang (Cornell University, senior member of international technical association - IEEE Fellow); Professor Longya Xu (Ohio University, senior member of the International Technical Association-IEEE Fellow) . participated in this workshop in Vietnam.

The leading professors will have speeches presenting research and giving suggestions for the future and orientation for the new energy field.

"I hope this conference will bring interesting initiatives, while contributing to promoting Vietnam's image internationally, and a bridge to promote and facilitate long-term cooperation between universities. , Vietnam's research institute with well-known scientists in the world, " Long said.