Vu Thanh Long: A Promising Vietnamese Scientist at MIT with Ambitious Renewable Energy Projects
In his early thirties, Vu Thanh Long, a Vietnamese research scientist and lecturer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), is nurturing a project focused on new energy solutions for his homeland. Despite achieving recognition early in the United States, Long remains humble when discussing his academic journey and accomplishments. His path has been marked by relentless efforts and a constant drive to set increasingly ambitious goals.
Long continuously strives to overcome his limitations to achieve the objectives he has set for himself.
Vu Thanh Long.
After completing his undergraduate degree in automation control at Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Long aimed to pursue research and set his sights on joining the research group of Professor Shuzhi Sam Ge, a leading expert at the National University of Singapore (NUS).
“I wrote an introductory letter, and thanks to my achievements in winning the national mathematics student olympiad three times, I caught the professor’s attention and received support for a scholarship at NUS. This was the best PhD research scholarship in Singapore at that time,” Vu Thanh Long recalls.
After completing his PhD, Long set his sights on conducting research in the United States. The young scientist dreamed of attending MIT, the center of science and technology in the U.S. and globally, to grasp the latest technological advancements.
Long continued to reach out to professors at this prestigious institution. Due to his exceptional dissertation, which ranked in the top five at NUS, Dr. Long garnered the attention of Professor Konstantin Turitsyn, who welcomed him to MIT for postdoctoral research.
“This was the most productive research period of my career, yielding numerous projects that I am proud of and securing multiple research grants from the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation,” Long says.
After 1.5 years, Long was promoted to researcher and lecturer at MIT, specializing in new energy. He conducted independent research while still collaborating with Professor Turitsyn.
Thanks to Professor Turitsyn’s support, MIT granted Long an early appointment as a lecturer and researcher, approximately 1.5 years ahead of other postdoctoral researchers.
This achievement could be considered a dream milestone for many young individuals in Vietnam.
Dr. Long’s research primarily focuses on energy.
“For me, these are significant accomplishments. However, I understand that they are modest compared to others. For instance, Professor Jean-Jacques Slotine, with whom I am collaborating, completed his PhD at MIT in just two years and became a professor there at the age of 24. I aspire to follow in his footsteps,” Dr. Vu Thanh Long shares.
Dr. Long’s research currently centers on energy. He elaborates that renewable energy sources (such as wind and solar) are increasingly integrated into the power grid to reduce pollution caused by traditional energy sources (such as coal and nuclear). However, renewable energy sources like wind and solar are inherently variable, which can lead to challenges in meeting consumer demands and potential widespread power shortages.
“My current research focuses on the stability of large power systems when integrating renewable energy sources. For instance, I address questions like: What percentage of renewable energy can each system integrate? And if there is a risk of system instability, what measures should be taken?” the young scientist explains.
Long is proposing a new research direction to maintain the stability of the power grid by modifying the system’s structure.
“For example, when a sudden drop or spike in renewable energy creates issues in one area, how can we coordinate the operation of smart power lines to avoid the affected region and maintain system stability? Currently, this project has been accepted by the U.S. Department of Energy (IDEAS program) as a concept paper due to its groundbreaking ideas,” Dr. Thanh Long elaborates.
Research at MIT often paves the way for groundbreaking studies, and putting these findings into practice will require extensive further research, testing, and evaluation regarding economic implications and long-term effects.
These efforts necessitate collaboration among numerous scientists and electrical engineers. Currently, Long’s team is working with several U.S. utility companies to test and evaluate their findings.
Despite working on significant research projects in the U.S., Long is deeply committed to contributing his knowledge to the energy sector in his home country.
Vietnam has the advantage of being a tropical country with abundant sunlight, featuring over 3,000 km of coastline and substantial wave energy, alongside plentiful wind resources in various regions.
“These conditions are favorable for developing renewable energy. However, it is essential to research what percentage of renewable energy is reasonable to develop, both economically in comparison to upfront investments and in terms of the long-term impacts on power system stability,” the young MIT lecturer notes.
Dr. Vu Thanh Long at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Therefore, Long’s research can assist Vietnam in strategically planning its renewable energy development.
“In the future, I also hope to connect with some international organizations to help Vietnam develop its renewable energy sector, such as the Breakthrough Energy Coalition,” lecturer Vu Thanh Long reveals.
With a desire to contribute more to the advancement of the new energy sector in Vietnam, Long’s team is organizing an international conference at the end of this year.
The fourth international conference on new energy, in which Long is participating in organizing, occurs biannually and is being held in Vietnam for the first time.
Notably, Dr. Long has successfully invited leading global professors to participate in this conference, including Professor P. R. Kumar (University Distinguished Professor at Texas A&M University, member of the National Academy of Engineering, and Senior Fellow of the World Academy of Sciences); Professor Hsiao-Dong Chiang (Cornell University, Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers – IEEE Fellow); and Professor Longya Xu (Ohio University, Senior Member of IEEE).
These top professors will present research findings and provide suggestions for the future and direction of the new energy field.
“I hope this conference will generate exciting initiatives, contribute to promoting Vietnam’s image internationally, and serve as a bridge to foster long-term collaborations between Vietnamese universities, research institutes, and renowned scientists worldwide,” Long expresses.
