Which Energy is the Most Sustainable? Saved Energy!

Energy efficiency is one of the key factors in the fight against climate change. The more energy saving we make, the less greenhouse gas emissions we would have.

The cleanest, most affordable, and most reliable energy is the energy we do not use. This prediction expressed by International Energy Agency (IEA), one of the important global organizations analyzing energy needs of the future, points to the importance of transitioning to a carbon-free economy.

​Check out our blog post for further details on energy efficiency.

In our current economic system, greenhouse emissions increase with the increase in economic growth. It is critical for us to transition to a system which consumes less energy, thus producing less carbon emissions. Let us not forget that emissions originating from energy generation correspond to three quarters of the emissions which cause climate change! Enjoy reading!

Record High Greenhouse Gas Emissions and the New Energy Crisis

The record high greenhouse gas emissions we witness means that we are failing to reach a climate neutral target. There is a scientific consensus on the requirement to keep the temperature increase on the planet at 1.5ºC as the maximum limit in order to avoid the most destructive impacts of climate change. This increase, however, is already more than 1.1ºC compared to the preindustrial levels.

The way to limit temperature increases was determined by experts years ago: Neutralizing carbon emissions by 2050. However, global emissions will reach a record high in 2024 with 40,6 billion tons according to the Global Carbon Project report presented during the 27th United Nations Conference of Parties (COP27). Moreover, the new energy crisis which emerged with the invasion of Ukraine by Russia emphasizes even more the importance of enabling energy independence through energy saving and renewable energy.

Becoming carbon neutral is critical. We have to make sustainable development possible, not only for the current 8 billion residents of the planet, but also for the next generations which are expected to reach 10 billion people in 20250.

To achieve this, it is valuable to benefit from renewable energy sources to the maximum level such as wind and solar energy which do not cause emissions, and to invest in green transformation in parallel to this in order to reduce the usage of fossil fuels in industry, services, transportation, and homes. Moreover, more development is needed in technologies that allow energy storage such as batteries and green hydrogen.

The Importance of Energy Saving by Figures

All of the aforementioned considerations are necessary, but they are not enough. As emphasized by the IEA, creating a carbon-free economy, and decreasing global warming to a manageable level seem impossible without putting a significant effort into energy saving (by not consuming) and for more efficiency (obtaining the same results by using less energy).

Let us express the needed energy saving by figures;

We should reduce global energy density (energy needed per unit GDP) by 4% per year from today until 2030. This means ten times more compared to the previous decade. This may seem like a modest target; however, it should be remembered that this amount is equal to saving all energy consumed by China every year or four times of the gas amount exported by European Union in 2021 from Russia. This is the only way for us to reach the IEA’s net zero emission scenario.

Otherwise, the final energy demand will not decrease, however it will increase by 18% in 2030, thus greenhouse gas emissions will also increase.

What are Energy Service Companies?

Improvements in energy efficiency create impacts on the whole economy, from industry to housing sector (better insulation, more efficient and sustainable lighting, and air conditioning systems), from transportation, i.e., usage of electric vehicles and other mobility modes such as ridesharing, to local governments (smarter street lighting, more efficient ventilation, and heating in the buildings).

Recent years saw the emergence of a critical energy sub-sector in the face of the growing importance of energy saving: Energy Efficiency Consulting (EVD) Companies specialized in carrying out energy efficiency projects that enable savings in consumption and energy bills of the customers. .

EVD companies, which have defined roles in regulations in Türkiye, conduct activities such as designing surveys to increase energy efficiency and efficiency-increasing projects, project implementation, providing consultancy services in this field and organizing energy manager trainings in their scope of authority. These types of companies pioneering in the sector develop methods to increase energy efficiency of business processes and buildings for their customers.

EVD companies conduct activities in various fields;

- Exterior and interior lighting,
- Heating and cooling systems,
- Energy monitoring and management,
- Building insulation,
- Industrial processes,
- Engines, pumps, pressurized air equipment, etc.
- Internal production,
- Sustainable mobility... etc.

Also called as Energy Services Companies (ESCO) in the EU, these companies enable 37% of energy saving per project on average in Spain alone and this means an economic saving of 112,000 Euros per year on average.

The City of Gijon: Smart City, Smart Saving

Let us look at an exemplary success in the field of energy services achieved by Gijon Municipality in Spain; the city of Asturias aimed to accelerate decarbonization process by using renewable energy production and storage technologies, establishing energy communities, and creating innovation opportunities, initiatives and employment as well as enabling sustainable development in the city.

But, how? Through smart supply of electricity and heat energy for lighting and municipal facilities, integrating the city, and green and digital innovation.

Ultimately, electricity consumption in municipal services and public lighting is estimated to decrease by 68%, in heating by 15%, and greenhouse gas emissions are estimated to be reduced by 30% at the very least.

The math is simple: the less energy we use, the less greenhouse gas we would release to the atmosphere. As a result, energy bills will decrease, and benefits will be gained for the planet.

Energy Saving and Future of the Planet

In conclusion, energy efficiency comes to the fore not only as a complementary strategy, but also a cornerstone in the fight against climate change and the pursuit of sustainable development. The idea of the most sustainable energy being unused energy is increasingly acknowledged not only in practice, but also in terms of global policies.

As emphasized by the IEA, decarbonization of our economy by decreasing energy density and increasing efficiency is critical for pulling back global warming to manageable levels.

Initiatives in energy efficiency are found in a wide range of activities, from industry to domestic use, transportation, and service sector, and it provides potential for reducing energy consumption. Energy Efficiency Consulting Companies both enable cost savings and mitigate environmental impacts by optimizing energy utilization. In this process, we need to benefit from renewable energy sources to the maximum degree and decrease the usage of fossil fuels.

Investments in energy efficiency should be increased in every sector and every level for the purpose of reducing greenhouse gas emissions on a global scale and leaving a more habitable world for the next generations. This will enable sustainable development which will meet the needs not only of today, but also of the future.

What we do at Enerjisa

We, at Enerjisa, are the leading electricity distribution, retail, customer solutions and e-mobility company in Türkiye. We acknowledge that we are responsible for building our common future.

It is a top priority for us to become a role model in our industry and be apioneering company in green energy. Thus, 56% of our installed capacity is composed of domestic and renewable energy resources. We keep putting all our efforts for Türkiye as well as future generations through our 12 hydroelectric power plants, 5 wind power plants and 2 solar power plants.

We define all our priorities regarding our investments and strategies as part of sustainability. We continue to invest in renewable energy resources. We support the sustainability transformation of organizations via our services provided as part Enerjisa Energy of My Business projects. We carry today’s sustainable tourism practices to the future with the SENTRUM project we initiated in Küçükköy, Ayvalık. To get further details on SENTRUM, click here.