ENERGY EFFICIENCY

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Energy efficiency is the reduction of energy consumption per unit service or product, without causing a decrease in living standards and service quality in buildings or in production quality and quantity of industrial enterprises.

It has been determined that we have an energy saving potential of approximately 7.5 billion Turkish Liras, which is enough to build four Keban Dams, corresponding to 30% in construction sector, 20% in industry, and 15% in transportation sector, by means of training, surveys, and awareness raising.

Energy Efficiency Law no. 5627 includes the procedures and principles for using renewable energy resources as well. Renewable energy resources should not be ignored in energy efficiency efforts.

Considering the sectoral distribution of energy consumption in our country, 30% of the energy and approximately 43% of the total electricity consumption are used in buildings, which is the group ranked second in energy consumption after industry sector.

In Turkey, energy consumed per unit area in order to heat a building is 2-3 times higher than in EU countries. Approximately 60-70% of electrical energy is used for household appliances, whereas 30-40% for lighting. All these data show that residences have a significant role in the world in terms of both energy consumption and greenhouse gas emission. Therefore, it is becoming more and more important to work on measures need to be taken in order to ensure the sustainability of life and resources.

The following strategies can be adopted to reduce energy needs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions:

• design for low demand (insulation, air tightness, ventilation, plant shading, green roofs, etc.),
• solar energy use (passive solar design, solar panel in hot water production, photovoltaic),
• waste energy (heat pump, biogas from waste, micro-hydro),
• renewable energy use (wind, solar, hydro, etc.),
• measures to reduce losses in the energy system (CHP-combined heat power, etc.), and
• meeting the energy need from cogeneration systems and renewable energy resources.

As for the transportation sector, the energy consumed is mainly based on fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are among the main causes of global warming and climate change, as they are responsible for approximately 20-30% of CO2 emissions. 20% of Turkey's energy consumption is in transportation sector.

Municipalities' preference for environmentally-friendly vehicles in public transportation and even turning to electric vehicles is an approach that can increase energy efficiency at local level. Because, trains in urban public transportation systems, especially subways and trams, use less energy, pollute the environment less and cause much less accidents compared to private vehicles.