In recent years, especially coastal countries have begun to realize the enormous potential of wave energy. Turkey could be one of these countries. Let’s take a closer look at both global developments and the opportunities for Turkey.
What is wave energy and how does it work?
To understand wave energy, imagine a buoy floating on the surface of the sea. This buoy moves up and down with the waves. This movement is converted into energy through specially designed generators. While it sounds like a simple system, it is becoming one of the most sophisticated solutions for renewable energy production.
The greatest advantage of wave energy is that it can produce energy continuously, day and night, summer or winter. Unlike solar energy, which depends on the sun, or wind energy, which depends on the wind, wave energy is available as long as there are waves. This makes it an appealing energy source for a country like Turkey, which is surrounded by seas on three sides.
A big opportunity for Turkey
So where does Turkey stand in this? The country boasts a long coastline stretching from the Black Sea to the Aegean and the Mediterranean to the Sea of Marmara. The wave intensity in the Aegean and Mediterranean, in particular, offers great opportunities for this type of energy.
Looking at leading countries in this field, examples like Scotland and Portugal stand out. Scotland has become a global leader with its investments in wave energy, while wave energy plants along Portugal’s coastline now supply a significant portion of the country’s annual energy needs.
Why shouldn’t Turkey tap into this potential? For instance, a wave energy system established on the Aegean coast in Izmir could potentially supply a large part of the city’s energy needs. The strong waves hitting the shores of Izmir could become a constant source of energy. Similarly, Antalya’s coastline, where tourists enjoy the sun, could start producing energy from waves. The waves would not only generate energy while protecting nature but also contribute to a sustainable future.
Scientifically impressive, economically sensible!
Waves provide not only energy but also economic benefits. Turkey spends large sums of money on energy imports, especially for natural gas and oil, which are dependent on foreign sources and impose a heavy economic burden while also bringing environmental issues. Wave energy, on the other hand, offers a completely natural and environmentally friendly solution. Once a wave energy plant is established, it has the potential to produce uninterrupted energy for decades.
Scientifically, wave energy is quite unique because the kinetic energy carried by waves has a very high energy density. A much smaller area can produce much more energy compared to solar energy. In fact, a wave energy system covering just a few kilometers along the coastline could generate more energy than a large solar farm.
How much energy can we produce for Turkey?
As mentioned, Turkey’s coastline holds great potential for wave energy. Research suggests that wave energy systems along just the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts could generate up to 20 terawatt-hours (TWh) of energy annually.
This energy alone could cover a significant portion of Turkey’s annual energy consumption. And this is just from waves. If we add other coastlines, like the Black Sea, Turkey’s energy dependence could be significantly reduced.
Wave energy is no longer just a technology we see in science fiction films. Real projects are being implemented around the world today, and Turkey could act swiftly to move into this field. Transitioning to renewable sources in energy production offers huge advantages both environmentally and economically, and this technology could play a major role in Turkey’s energy future. We might even see wave energy systems along all our coastlines in the future.
Note: It’s worth mentioning that the first steps in this field have already been taken in Turkey in recent years. One of the world’s largest wave energy plants could be built in our country. The future is closer than we think…
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