Renewable Energy Sources of Turkey and Assessment of Sustainability

Renewable technologies are considered as clean sources of energy and optimal use of these resources minimize environmental impacts, produce minimum secondary wastes and are sustainable based on current and future economic and social needs. Research and Development studies promise an optimistic future for the use of renewable energy sources. In our study renewable energy sources orderly; solar, biomass, geothermal, wind, or hydropower, are reviewed and most favorable one among them is given priority to increase its contribution to Turkey's electricity generation is examined by employing SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, Threats) Analysis. These renewable energy sources(RES) are assessed with respect to selected criteria and sub-criteria that are determined as a result of a comprehensive literature survey by a group of experts who are mostly academicians and professionals working in public and private sector. As a result of this study, it is found that satisfaction of energy goals are given higher priority compared to satisfaction of environmental goals and all renewable energy sources are selected, especially hydropower is more effective, useful as the most preferred renewable energy source to increase its contribution to Turkey's electricity generation. (C) 2015 Published by Elsevier Ltd.