Supply-demand variability in electricity may complicate the transition to clean energy

January 26, the founding day of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), was declared the International Day of Clean Energy by a decision of the United Nations General Assembly last year.

With the decision taken to raise awareness about the importance of reducing the use of fossil fuels that cause global warming and transitioning to clean energy, the goal is to increase cooperation, as well as the sharing of information and data, between countries.

Clean energy obtained from renewable sources such as solar and wind is described as environmentally friendly because it does not generate greenhouse gas emissions and does not pollute the atmosphere.

According to International Energy Agency (IEA) reports, 510 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity were commissioned worldwide last year, a 50 percent increase compared to the previous year, bringing the total renewable energy capacity to 4 thousand 217 gigawatts. 75 percent of this increase was achieved through solar energy investments.

It is stated that global renewable energy capacity could reach 2.5 times its current level by 2030, with 95 percent of this growth stemming from solar and wind energy projects, while it is estimated that by 2025, renewable energy sources will surpass coal, which currently holds the largest share in electricity generation.

In parallel with the world, the share of renewable energy in Turkey's installed electricity capacity is also increasing. According to data from the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, as of the end of December 2023, Turkey's installed electricity capacity reached 106 thousand 668 megawatts, with 53.3 percent of this generated from renewable energy sources.

While hydroelectric energy holds the largest share in renewable energy at 30 percent, wind energy accounted for 11.1 percent and solar energy for 10.6 percent. 23.8 percent of electricity generation was carried out using natural gas, and 20.5 percent using coal.

"ENERGY DEMAND IN METROPOLITAN AREAS WILL INCREASE BY 50 PERCENT IN 7-8 YEARS"

Answering questions from an AA reporter, Prof. Dr. Ozan Erdinç, a faculty member at Yıldız Technical University (YTÜ) Faculty of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering, said that there has been a major increase in the electrical energy needs of a standard end-user alongside technological developments over the last 20 years.

Erdinç said, "While electrical energy was a part of our lives in the past for the individual end-user, today it is at the level of an addiction. In the very near future, it will be like eating or drinking water."

Sharing the forecast that the demand for electrical energy in Turkey's metropolitan areas and developing districts will increase by at least 50 percent in a 7-8 year period and double in a 15-year period, Erdinç expressed that the role of renewable energy sources is important at this point.

Erdinç continued as follows:

"Electrical energy supply and demand must be constantly in balance. However, changing weather conditions, such as cloud cover or a decrease in wind, can affect wind and solar energy production. This variability creates a problem for electrical grids. It is important for conventional power plants to be activated quickly against natural drops that may occur in electrical power obtained from clean energy sources. This situation may make reaching the 100 percent renewable energy target difficult."

Pointing out that renewable energy sources reduce dependence on conventional sources in a way that affects political processes and lower carbon emissions, Erdinç assessed that nuclear energy is also an important source due to its potential to reduce foreign dependency and meet the base load of the industry.