Analysis of energy and exergy use of the Turkish residential–commercial sector

This study presents the analysis of the energy and exergy utilization of the Turkish residential–commercial sector (TRCS) in the years of 2000 and 2020 and compares the results obtained with those of other countries available in the literature. This analysis is done based on the actual data for 2000, while the projected energy data for 2020 are used in the calculations. Total energy and exergy inputs are calculated to be 3527.20 PJ and 3469.62 PJ in 2000, while they are projected to be 12,898.51 PJ and 12,636.99 PJ in 2020, respectively. Annual fuel consumptions in space heating, water heating and cooking activities as well as electrical energy uses by appliances are determined for 2000, while they are forecasted from 2004 to 2020. The energy efficiency value for the TRCS is found to be 55.60% in 2000, and is expected to be 65.53% in 2020. The exergy efficiency value for that is obtained to be 8.02% in 2000, with a projected value of 10.07% in 2020. Turkey’s overall energy and exergy utilization efficiencies in the same years are also found to be 44.91% and 24.78% in 2000, with the projected values of 55.15% and 30.44% in 2020, respectively. The present study clearly indicates the necessity of the planned studies towards increasing exergy efficiencies in the sector studied and especially the critical role of policymakers in establishing effective energy-efficiency delivery mechanisms throughout the country. It may be concluded that the current methodology is useful for analyzing the sectoral energy and exergy utilization, giving energy saving opportunities.