A roadmap for the utilization of renewable energy sources for the sustainable development of Turkey's electricity energy system

Year 2025, Volume: 10 Issue: 1, 1159 - 1183, 18.03.2025

Emine Ertane Baş , Şeyma Emeç , Vecihi Yiğit

https://doi.org/10.58559/ijes.1623909

Abstract

Turkey’s achievement of sustainable energy goals can be realized through the enhancement of renewable energy capacity and the strategic integration of nuclear energy. This study aims to promote the use of renewable energy sources and evaluate the impacts of integrating nuclear energy into the energy system to support Turkey’s sustainable energy objectives. Within the framework of the Turkish National Energy Plan, two scenario groups covering the 2025-2050 period were developed using the EnergyPLAN simulation program (version 16.22). The first scenario group focuses solely on the gradual increase of renewable energy capacity, while the second scenario group examines the effects of nuclear energy on energy security and carbon emissions. The results indicate that, in scenarios without nuclear energy, CO₂ emissions decrease by 28%, whereas, with the integration of nuclear energy, this reduction reaches 39%. This comprehensive assessment provides important recommendations that contribute to Turkey’s energy security and sustainable development strategies.

Keywords

Turkey’s national energy plan, Renewable energy simulation, EnergyPLAN

A Roadmap for the Utilization of Renewable Energy Sources for the Sustainable Development of Turkey's Electricity Energy System

Abstract

In recent years, research on clean energy systems has grown significantly, leading to the development of various energy modeling strategies for the transition process. This study aims to present a roadmap by developing diverse scenarios to achieve the targets outlined in Turkey's National Energy Plan. The EnergyPLAN simulation program (Version 16.22) was utilized for scenario development. The scenarios were categorized into two groups based on the inclusion or exclusion of nuclear energy. In the first group, six scenarios were designed to meet energy demands for the years 2025, 2030, 2035, 2040, 2045, and 2050, with varying levels of renewable energy integration. In the second group, nuclear energy, which is projected to be incorporated into Turkey's energy plans starting in 2035, was added to the first group of scenarios, resulting in four additional scenarios for the years 2035, 2040, 2045, and 2050. The scenarios successfully achieved the targeted levels of renewable energy use. Additionally, they were assessed based on CO2 emissions resulting from energy consumption. The results reveal that in the first group of scenarios for 2050, a 28% reduction in CO2 emissions was observed compared to the reference scenario, whereas a 39% reduction was observed in the second group. These findings suggest that nuclear energy generates significantly fewer CO2 emissions compared to fossil fuels. Overall, the results align with the study's objectives and provide a promising roadmap for the transition to 100% renewable energy.

Keywords

Turkey’s national energy plan, renewable energy simulation, EnergyPLAN

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