Investigation of renewable energy potential and usage in TR 61 region

• Published in: Journal of cleaner production Vol. 236; p. 117698
• Main Author: Gorgulu, Sertac
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2019
• Subjects: Energy consumption; Greenhouse gas emissions; Renewable energy potential; Renewable energy sources; Renewable energy potential; Energy consumption; Renewable energy sources; Greenhouse gas emissions
• ISSN: 0959-6526; 1879-1786
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.117698

Hazardous effects of fossil energy sources on the environment, their limited capacities and the fact that they run out result in the prominence of energy production from renewable energy sources. Like any developing country, Turkey's energy consumption increases with her population growth and economic advancement. It is essential to have domestic and sustainable energy sources for countries to have rapid and unproblematic economic growth. Turkey is a foreign-dependent country in terms of her energy sources and it does not only threaten the country's economy but also hinders her development. Foreign-dependency for energy and reducing the greenhouse gas emission could become possible with better utilization of renewable energy potential. This study investigates the current energy production values of Antalya, Burdur and Isparta cities of Turkey, which constitute the TR61 region, and by remarking the currently unused renewable energy sources' potentials, calculates the greenhouse emission values to be reduced when the region's potential is exploited. Accordingly, there is an unused potential especially for biomass and solar energy. It is estimated that 3,000 thousand tons of greenhouse gas emission reduction is possible by 2023 when this potential is utilized. •TR61 region consumes approximately 3.9% and produces 2.3% of Turkey's electricity.•3,000 thousand tons of GHG emission reduction is possible by 2023 when TR61 region renewable potential is utilized.•500 thousand tons of waste is generated from greenhouses each year in Antalya.