Emphasizing that energy conservation cannot be limited to individual efforts alone, Research Assistant Begüm Çetin from the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering stated that in the face of a growing population and increasing energy demand, it is essential for public authorities and local governments to implement solutions focused on smart grids, digital infrastructures, and renewable energy. Pointing out that the climate crisis and rising energy costs have made conservation unavoidable, Çetin said, “Energy conservation is no longer just about taking individual precautions; it has become a mandatory practice that must be addressed at sectoral, administrative, and international levels.”
Üsküdar University Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (English), Research Assistant Begüm Çetin evaluated new energy resources and energy conservation within the scope of Energy Conservation Week, held from January 5 to 11.
Türkiye’s most urgent energy problem is foreign dependency and reliance on fossil fuels
Drawing attention to Türkiye’s most fundamental energy challenge today, Begüm Çetin said, “In our country, fossil fuels, which have high carbon emissions and environmental costs, contribute to the climate crisis, and are disadvantageous in terms of energy efficiency, are widely used. However, when we consider the green future of energy, within a technology-driven transformation process that prioritizes benefits for people and society, it is necessary to increase the use of renewable energy sources that can meet the supply-demand needs of our growing population, reduce our dependence on foreign energy resources, and ensure that energy efficiency continues uninterrupted and safely. In this context, encouraging the use of renewable energy sources in industrial and commercial areas, office and home environments, and at the individual level, along with proper awareness raising, is of great importance. In addition, infrastructure deficiencies must be addressed to ensure readiness for green transformation and related technologies.”
Strong potential in renewable energy
Stating that renewable energy sources are naturally available resources that allow energy to be utilized continuously and sustainably in a clean, efficient, reliable, and economical way according to our needs, Çetin said, “When evaluated in light of our country’s geographical location, geological structure, and related studies, renewable energy sources represent a significant potential in Türkiye. According to recent studies, renewable energy sources constitute the majority of installed capacity in percentage terms, primarily hydropower, followed by solar energy, wind energy, and geothermal energy.”
Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant to be commissioned next year
Çetin also noted that nuclear energy is a resource that must be evaluated in terms of whether it can be considered sustainable, saying, “It is important to further develop technologies related to the waste management systems and safety of nuclear power plants. In the event of any damage, negative impacts can persist for a long time. In Türkiye, efforts regarding the commissioning of nuclear power plants are ongoing, and it has most recently been announced that the country’s first Nuclear Power Plant, the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, will be put into operation next year.”
How does the much-discussed energy transition reflect in daily life?
Explaining that digitalization in the energy transition has increasingly included artificial intelligence transformation in recent years, Research Assistant Begüm Çetin continued as follows: “In preparation for this transformation, the Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK) will implement a plan to ensure the integration of smart meters into grids under the title ‘Digital and Renewable Energy Transformation in Energy Management’ as of March 2026. An important point to emphasize here is that smart meter technology is the fundamental and most critical application in transforming grids into smart and micro grids, and consequently in the transition to smart cities. Because ensuring energy efficiency means achieving effective energy management, and in this context, measurement devices must be enhanced with information and communication technologies. In this way, technologies are built that provide efficient energy management integration, enabling easier integration of renewable energy sources and electric vehicle charging stations into grids, facilitating load management, and allowing remote monitoring and control of electricity generation and consumption and other power parameters from both producer and consumer perspectives. Artificial intelligence transformation in energy is another important topic that needs to be addressed separately, particularly in terms of early fault detection and preventive measures to ensure safe and uninterrupted energy supply.”
Citizens are an active part of the transformation
Stating that the green energy transition in Türkiye is progressing alongside digital transformation in education, industry, and individual use, Research Assistant Begüm Çetin said, “While projects developed through education and industry collaborations offer promising developments, citizens are becoming active stakeholders in this transformation by choosing renewable energy, electric vehicles, and energy-efficient products.”
Conservation and efficiency are not the same thing
Research Assistant Begüm Çetin also pointed out that energy conservation refers to measures aimed at reducing energy consumption, stating, “Energy efficiency, on the other hand, refers to technological and systemic solutions that aim to provide the same service using less energy by reducing losses during the stages of energy production, transmission, distribution, and consumption. The promotion of renewable energy sources, smart meters, and demand-side energy management, as well as measurement and control technologies, contribute to increasing energy efficiency. Applications such as thermal insulation, efficient lighting systems, and regular maintenance of electrical devices both ensure energy conservation and support energy efficiency, enabling more economical, safe, and environmentally friendly energy use.”
Where are energy losses most concentrated in homes?
Listing the main causes of energy losses in residential buildings, Begüm Çetin concluded by saying, “Energy loss in homes occurs due to the lack of use of energy-efficient lighting systems, the preference for inefficient electrical appliances, and the absence of adequate thermal insulation in heating systems. In addition, the limited widespread use of renewable energy and energy storage systems restricts the improvement of energy efficiency.”
Simple but effective recommendations for the winter months
Sharing practical measures that can be implemented during the winter period, Begüm Çetin said, “Devices that are not in use should be disconnected from electricity and should not be left plugged into sockets. Energy efficient light bulbs should be preferred and unnecessary lighting should be avoided. Measures should be taken to ensure thermal insulation at home, and energy efficient electrical appliances should be chosen. In order to enable demand side energy management and to monitor and control energy parameters, smart meters or bidirectional meters should be integrated instead of mechanical meters, and the use of renewable energy sources should be encouraged together with energy storage systems.”
Energy conservation is a public responsibility
Emphasizing that energy conservation cannot be placed solely on individuals, Begüm Çetin continued as follows: “Individual responsibilities contribute to energy conservation up to a certain point as long as we are aware and conscious. However, in order to manage the increasing energy demand of our country’s growing population, reduce dependence on foreign energy sources, and ensure energy efficiency in a sustainable manner, public and local administrations must implement solutions that enable energy conservation. First of all, we are in a process where information and communication technologies are used effectively, and where a sustainability oriented and human and society centered technological evolution is taking place. With awareness of being part of this process, preparations should be made for the transition to smart and micro grids that support the use and control of renewable energy sources, which are clean, economical, and safe energy resources.
In this context, more flexible, measurable, and resilient infrastructure opportunities should be provided. In addition to establishing communication networks and data control centers that enable bidirectional data flow in grids, importance should be given to integrated systems that allow remote monitoring of power and fault data and enable fault and outage prediction in advance through artificial intelligence technologies. Within the scope of sustainability and development plans, the applicability of these efforts should be supported through projects and workshops developed via university industry cooperation. Incentives for the use of electric and energy efficient vehicles in public transportation and individual mobility should be increased, and energy efficient building standards should be made mandatory. In addition, awareness raising activities related to green energy and digital transformation should be carried out at all levels of education, starting from primary school.”
Conservation is now mandatory
Stating that the climate crisis and rising energy costs have made conservation unavoidable, Begüm Çetin concluded her remarks by saying, “Within the scope of the Paris Agreement, Türkiye has adopted the 2053 net zero emission target. In line with the 12th Development Plan and the 2024 to 2026 targets, it is planned to accelerate the green energy transition. In addition, universities continue to carry out studies within the framework of their Strategic Plans to contribute to sustainable transformation. In light of all this information, conservation is no longer merely an individual precaution, but has become a mandatory practice that must be implemented at sectoral, administrative, and international levels.”