Transforming Turkish electricity system in the context of circular economy and green deal: impacts on steel and agricultural production

ABSTRACT

Two important but conflicting goals in Turkey’s energy policy have been ensuring energy security through increased indigenous energy resource utilization and meeting the 2053 net zero emission commitment. Based on this, this work explores emission mitigation pathways for Turkey’s electricity system through circularity approaches of CO₂ utilization and framework material recycling (FMR). Using mathematical models, eight life cycle impact potentials are evaluated including global warming potential (GWP). The extended impact on steel and agricultural production was also examined in the Green Deal context. The circularity approaches investigated showed that the GWP of Turkey’s wind, solar, and lignite energy sources reduce from the base values of 7.3 gCO₂eq./kWh, 29.5 gCO₂eq./kWh and 1130 gCO₂eq./kWh to 2.72 gCO₂eq./kWh, 21.08 gCO₂eq./kWh and 241.26 gCO₂eq./kWh, respectively. Fifty percent recycling ratio is also determined as the optimum for CO₂ utilization and FMR. With this ratio, 21.84% CO₂ emission reduction corresponding to 0.083 GT annual CO₂ savings is achieved in the Turkish electricity mix. The decarbonization of electricity results in 25.0% and 27.0% GWP impact reductions in the agricultural and steel sectors, respectively. Hence, the decarbonization of electricity mix can significantly ease the negative impacts of the Green Deal on Turkey’s economy. Additionally, promoting and increasing the share of renewable energy sources in the electricity mix can further enhance these environmental benefits.

KEYWORDS:

• Electricity mix decarbonization
• Green Deal
• framework material recycling
• CO₂ utilization
• lifecycle environmental impacts

Acknowledgements

This research was partially supported by Marmara University Institute of Science under projects FEN-C-DRP-150513-0186 and FEN-C-DRP-150513-0175. We are also in dept of Prof. Dr Gökçen Çiftçioğlu for her support in this research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the Marmara University Institute of Science [FEN-C-DRP-150513-0186 and FEN-C-DRP-150513-0175].

Notes on contributors

Mujeeb Babatunde Adetayo

Mujeeb Babatunde Adetayo Ph. D student at Marmara University Chemical Engineering Department.

Berrin Kursun

Dr. Berrin Kursun Assistant Prof of Chemical Engineering at Marmara University.