Report: National Energy Independence Road Map for Turkey by Nejat Veziroglu

T. Nejat Veziroglu
President, International Association for Hydrogen Energy
5794 SW 40 St. #303, Miami, FL 33155, U.S.A.

1. Introduction

Turkey is a fast growing economy. During the last ten years, it has increased its income per capita fourfold. Since there is a close relationship between the income per capita and energy consumption per capita (Fig. 1), Turkey’s energy consumption has been increasing fast, as well. Since Turkey imports most of its petroleum, natural gas and coal, this results in large trade deficits. If Turkey’s economic development is to grow in a fast pace, it is important that the trade deficit must be eliminated as soon as possible. Towards this end, we shall propose a road map, making sure that it is economical and practical to implement.

Fig. 1. Income per capita versus energy consumption per capita. (GSMH / Kişi Karşın Enerji Tüketimi / Kişi (2010)

2. Environmental Damage by Fossil Fuels

Fossil fuels (coal, petroleum and natural gas) are causing extensive health and environmental damages, as a result of the ozone layer depletion, global warming, acid rains, pollution, oil slicks and surface mining (Fig. 2). It can be seen that coal damages the health and environment most, followed by petroleum. Natural gas is relatively cleaner. In 2010, the worldwide annual damage caused by fossil fuels to the environment and health of the people added up to $6.4 trillion U.S. Dollars (Fig. 3). Turkey’s share of this damage is $64 billion U.S. Dollars per year.

Fig. 2. Environmental and health damages by fossil fuels. (Fosil Yakıtların Çevreye Zararları (2010 $/GJ))

3. Historical Trend in C/H Ratio in Fuels

There is a historical trend in fuels to move from solid fuels towards liquids fuels, and from liquid fuels towards gaseous fuels. In other words, over the years the mean carbon/hydrogen (C/H) ratio in fuels is decreasing. This is also resulting in the reduction of environmental damages (Fig. 4). When the ratio is zero, we reach the ideal fuel, i.e., hydrogen. At the same time, the total environmental and health damages becomes zero.

Fig. 3. Worldwide environmental and health damages. (Fosil Yakıtların Çevre ye Zararları (2010) Toplam Yıllık Zarar: $ 6.4 Trilyon

Fig. 4. Mean C/H ratio and environmental & health damages by fossil fuels. (Fosil Yakıtların Ortalama C/H Oranı & Çevreye Zararı (2010))

4. Ultimate Fuel Hydrogen and Hydrogen Energy System

Studies show that the most efficient (Fig. 5), the cleanest and environmentally most compatible fuel is hydrogen. Figure 6 shows the proposed Hydrogen Energy System. Hydrogen is a synthetic fuel. It will be produced using any and all primary energy sources, and water as the primary source of hydrogen. It will then be used for transportation, for heating and cooking, and for electricity generation. After hydrogen is used as an energy carrier, the by-product is water or water vapor, which replaces the original amount of water used in producing the hydrogen in the first place. Consequently, it is a renewable fuel. As long as we shall have primary energy source, we can have hydrogen. When we take into account the higher efficiency of hydrogen and the environmental and health damages caused by fossil fuels, the cost of the hydrogen energy system is lower than those of the fossil fuel systems (Fig. 7).

Hydrogen Energy was proposed some four decades ago, as a permanent solution to the interrelated global problems of the depletion of fossil fuels and the environmental problems caused by their utilization. It was formally presented at the landmark The Hydrogen Economy Miami Energy (THEME) Conference, 18-20 March 1974, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.A. Immediately, it caught the imagination and attention of socially contentious energy and environmental scientists and engineers. Research and development activities ensued around the world, in order to develop the technologies needed for the introduction of the Hydrogen Energy System. It took a quarter of a century to research and develop most of the technologies required.

Fig. 5. Utilization efficiency comparison of hydrogen and fossil fuels for various applications. (Hidrojen ve Fosil Yakıtların Kullanım Verimliliklerinin Karşılaştırılması)

Fig. 6. Permanent energy system: Hydrogen Energy System. (Kalıcı Çözüm: Hidrojen Enerjisi Sistem)

Fig. 7. Economic comparison of hydrogen and fossil fuel systems. (Enerji Sistemlerinin Ekonomik Karşılaştırılması (2010))

Early in the 21st century, hydrogen energy system started making inroads in the energy field. Several types of fuel cells have been developed for efficient conversion of hydrogen to electricity, as well as heat. In U.S.A., Germany and Japan solid oxide fuel cells are being used to produce electricity, hot water and heat for homes, buildings and housing developments. Hydrogen fuelled forklifts are now replacing the battery powered forklifts in warehouses, since they are much more economical. Several municipalities are experimenting with hydrogen fuelled buses. They are much quieter and much cleaner. Major car manufacturers have developed very clean and efficient hydrogen cars. They are already being tested in major cities around the world. Construction of hydrogen fuelling stations are accelerating in several countries and major cities – especially in Germany, Japan and California. Car companies have announced that they will offer hydrogen fuelled cars for sale to the public starting 2015. Railway companies are experimenting with hydrogen fuelled locomotives. There are experimental trams running on hydrogen. Many navies are replacing their diesel fueled submarines by hydrogen fuelled submarines. Boeing and Airbus companies are studying hydrogen fuelled passenger planes. A hydrogen powered supersonic business jet is under development.

5. National Energy Independence Road Map

Turkey should implement a national energy independence road map, in order to produce all the fuels it needs as hydrogen using primary energy sources available in Turkey over a thirty year period. This can be done. If Turkey does it, it can speed up its economic development. Otherwise – because of the large trade deficits – sooner or later Turkish Lira will have to be devalued, which could result in economic disaster. Herebelow, we present an economical and practical road map for Turkey to achieve energy independence over a period of thirty years.

5.1. First Ten Years

During the first ten years, the following actions should be implemented:

5.1.1. Vehicles

Cars, buses and trucks can run on gasoline and diesel fuels, but they can also run on Natural Gas (NG). In the world market, on a per unit energy basis, NG is much cheaper than petroleum fuels. Today, NG costs about one-third that of petroleum fuels. In the future, it may even be lower. In other words, for each vehicle which runs on NG, the foreign exchange Turkey pays for its fuel will be reduced by two-thirds or more. NG has another benefit, its environmental and health damage is much less than that of petroleum fuels. Most major vehicle companies already produce vehicles running on NG. They also have experimental cars, trucks and buses running on hydrogen. Consequently, the vehicle manufacturers should be required over several years, in an orderly manner, to introduce an increasing number of NG and/or hydrogen fuelled vehicles as follows:

First & Second Year: At least 15% of the vehicles sold should be NG and/or hydrogen fuelled.
Third & Fourth Year: At least 30% of the vehicles sold should be NG and/or hydrogen fuelled.
Fifth & Sixth Year: At least 45% of the vehicles sold should be NG and/or hydrogen fuelled.
Seventh & Eighth Year: At least 60% of the vehicles sold should be NG and/or hydrogen fuelled.
Ninth & Tenth Year: At least 75% of the vehicles sold should be NG and/or hydrogen fuelled.

5.1.2. Fueling Stations

In parallel with the introduction of NG/hydrogen fuelled vehicles, fueling station companies should be required to offer NG and/or hydrogen fuels in their stations, in addition to the petroleum fuels as follows:

First & Second Year: At least 15% of the stations should offer NG and /or hydrogen.
Third & Fourth Year: At least 30% of the stations should offer NG and /or hydrogen.
Fifth & Sixth Year: At least 45% of the stations should offer NG and /or hydrogen.
Seventh & Eighth Year: At least 60% of the stations should offer NG and /or hydrogen.
Ninth & Tenth Year: At least 75% of the stations should offer NG and /or hydrogen.

5.1.3.Coal and Lignite

Coal or lignite are inexpensive fuels. However, when they are used in thermal power plants, they produce large amounts of poisonous gases, causing environmental and health damages. The cost of damages they cause is greater than the value of electricity they generate. Consequently, no new power plants should be built running on coal and/or lignite. Existing ones should be phased out in an orderly manner.

As mentioned above, coal and lignite are cheap energy sources. Wherever they are mined, hydrogen producing plants should be established, and coal and lignite should be used to produce inexpensive hydrogen. This would avoid carrying coal

and/or lignite long distances by trains, as is done for the power plants presently. Hydrogen produced could then be used as a fuel, or it could be mixed with NG in NG pipelines, and the mixture could be used as a fuel. Mixing hydrogen with NG improves the efficiency of the NG and also reduces the environmental and health damages.

5.1.4. Shale Gas

Major oil and gas companies have developed a method, called fracking, in order to crack open underground shale deposits by injecting high pressure water, which results in steady release of methane (i.e., natural gas). They have been using this method to produce additional NG in the United States, since the last ten years. They have been generating large amounts of NG, so that U.S., which usually imported NG, has now become self sufficient in NG, and could soon start exporting NG.

Europe also has large deposits of shale. Major oil and gas companies (Exxon Mobile, BP and Shell) started fracking to produce NG in several European countries. This had the possibilities of making Europe self sufficient in NG, which could have resulted in reduction and/or elimination of NG imports from Russia. GasProm immediately warned major oil/gas companies not to do it, otherwise their investments in Russia would suffer. As a result, the major oil/gas companies indicated that European shale deposits were not good enough for NG production, and started closing down their shale gas operations in Europe.

Turkey has also large deposits of shale, and shale gas has the potential of meeting all of Turkey’s needs and more. However, there is the same danger as in Europe, that the major oil/gas companies who are looking for shale gas in Turkey might declare Turkish shale deposits to be of low quality for NG production!

Chinese companies have also acquired fracking technology and are producing shale gas in China. If major oil/gas companies become reluctant of producing shale gas in Turkey, Turkey should cooperate with Chinese companies and other companies which may have the technology, and start producing NG from shale deposits in Turkey. This could result in the production of all the NG Turkey needs over a period of ten years, just like it was done in U.S.A.

5.1.5. Renewable Energies

Wind energy and solar energy might not be available when there is a demand for energy. At times, there could be wind, and at other times, there might be no wind. Solar energy is only available during the daytime when the skies are not cloudy. At night time, and also at daytime when the skies are cloudy, there is no solar energy. They are irregular and intermittent. Consequently, it is better to produce hydrogen, when wind energy is available, and when solar energy is available, then hydrogen can be used as an energy carrier, anytime energy is needed. Hence, all the wind energy and solar energy companies should be encouraged to produce hydrogen when wind and sun are available. Then, hydrogen could be directly used as a fuel and/or could be mixed with NG in NG pipelines.

5.1.6. Off-Peak Electricity

A lot of electricity is wasted during the off-peak hours, when electricity demand is low. Consequently, off-peak electricity should be used to produce hydrogen. Hydrogen could then be used as a fuel or it can be mixed with NG in NG pipelines.

5.1.7. Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Solid oxide fuel cells can use hydrogen and/or NG as a fuel and produce electricity, hot water and heat for homes. In U.SA., Germany and Japan many homes produce cheap electricity and heat using solid oxide fuel cells and NG as the energy source. Some Turkish companies, including Vestel, are working on such solid oxide fuel cells. Consequently, solid oxide fuel cells should be introduced into Turkey, and the home owners/business owners should be encouraged to produce their electricity, hot water and heat using NG (later using hydrogen).

5.1.8. Incentives

Appropriate incentives should be provided for the vehicles, fuel cells and devices running on clean or cleaner fuels, i.e., on NG or hydrogen.

5.2. Second Ten Years

During the second ten years, the following actions should be implemented:

5.2.1. Vehicles

By now vehicle companies will be marketing their hydrogen fuelled vehicles for some time. Consequently, they should be required over several years, in an orderly manner, to increase the number of hydrogen fuelled vehicles, in addition to NG fuelled vehicles, as follows:

First & Second Year: At least 90% of the vehicles sold are NG and/or hydrogen fuelled, with the condition that at least 15% of the vehicles sold should hydrogen fuelled.
Third & Fourth Year: At least 90% of the vehicles sold are NG and/or hydrogen fuelled, with the condition that at least 30% of the vehicles sold should hydrogen fuelled.
Fifth & Sixth Year: At least 90% of the vehicles sold are NG and/or hydrogen fuelled, with the condition that at least 45% of the vehicles sold should hydrogen fuelled.
Seventh & Eighth Year: At least 90% of the vehicles sold are NG and/or hydrogen fuelled, with the condition that at least 60% of the vehicles sold should hydrogen fuelled.
Ninth & Tenth Year: At least 90% of the vehicles sold are NG and/or hydrogen fuelled, with the condition that at least 75% of the vehicles sold should hydrogen fuelled.

5.2.2. Fueling Stations

First & Second Year: At least 90% of the stations should offer NG and /or hydrogen, with the condition that at least 15% of the stations should be offering hydrogen.
Third & Fourth Year: At least 90% of the stations should offer NG and /or hydrogen, with the condition that at least 30% of the stations should be offering hydrogen.
Fifth & Sixth Year: At least 90% of the stations should offer NG and /or hydrogen, with the condition that at least 45% of the stations should be offering hydrogen.
Seventh & Eighth Year: At least 90% of the stations should offer NG and /or hydrogen, with the condition that at least 60% of the stations should be offering hydrogen.
Ninth & Tenth Year: At least 90% of the stations should offer NG and /or hydrogen, with the condition that at least 75% of the stations should be offering hydrogen.

5.2.3. Coal and Lignite

Coal and lignite companies should be encouraged to produce inexpensive hydrogen from coal and lignite.

5.2.4. Shale Gas

Shale gas companies should be encouraged to produce inexpensive hydrogen from shale gas.

5.2.5. Renewable Energies

Renewable energy companies should be encouraged to produce hydrogen from wind and solar energies. Also, biohydrogen production should be encouraged.

5.2.6. Nuclear Energy and Off-peak Electricity

Nuclear power plants operate at constant load. They produce electricity whether there is a demand or not. Hence, off-peak electricity from nuclear power plants, as well as off-peak electricity from other power plants, should be used to produce hydrogen.

5.2.7. Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Support and encouragement for solid oxide fuel cells should be continued, so that homes and businesses could produce inexpensive electricity, hot water and heat using solid oxide fuel cells, fed by NG and/or hydrogen.

5.2.8. Locomotives

State Railway Company should be encouraged to convert their locomotives to NG and/or hydrogen over a period of ten years, in an orderly manner.

5.2.9. Incentives

Appropriate incentives should be provided for the vehicles, locomotives, fuel cells and devices running on clean or cleaner fuels, i.e., on NG or hydrogen.

5.3. Third Ten Years

During the third ten years, the following actions should be implemented:

5.3.1. Vehicles

Requirement for hydrogen fuelled vehicles should be increased from 75% to a minimum of 90% of the total vehicles sold.

5.3.2. Fueling Stations

The requirements for the number of the hydrogen fuelling stations should be increased from 75% to a minimum of 90%.

5.3.3. Coal, Lignite and Shale Gas

Coal, lignite and shale gas companies should be required to produce inexpensive hydrogen from coal, lignite and shale gas.

5.3.4. Renewable Energies

Renewable energy companies should be encouraged to produce hydrogen from wind and solar energies. Also, biohydrogen production should be encouraged.

5.3.5. Nuclear Energy

If the hydrogen produced from fossil fuels, renewables and off-peak electricity is not enough to meet the country’s fuel needs, dedicated nuclear power plants should be built to produce only hydrogen. Such nuclear power plants could be conventional nuclear power plants producing electricity, and then electricity used to produce hydrogen through electrolysis.

We should point out that the conventional nuclear power plants have efficiencies of only 30%. This means that 70% of the nuclear energy is wasted. There is research and development work for high temperature nuclear reactors to produce hydrogen directly through thermochemical cycles. These are expected to have 60% efficiency, i.e., double that of the conventional nuclear power plants. Consequently, hydrogen production through high temperature nuclear reactors should be encouraged.

5.3.6. Off-peak Electricity

we should continue to produce hydrogen form off-peak electricity, which will provide us with rather inexpensive hydrogen.

5.3.7 Fuel Cells

Commercialization of fuel cells and fuel cells using equipment should be supported and encouraged.

5.3.8. Locomotives

State Railroad Company should be required to convert at least 90% of their locomotives to hydrogen fuel.

5.3.9. Airports Airplanes

By now, it is expected that long distance airplanes running on hydrogen will be introduced for passenger services. Initially, it is expected that long distance subsonic and supersonic passenger jets will be converted to hydrogen, since the benefits of hydrogen (which is three times lighter than jet fuel) is greater for long distance transportation. Accordingly, airports – starting with major airports – should be required to build facilities to provide liquid hydrogen for air transportation.

Turkish Airlines and Turkish private airline companies should be encouraged to start introducing hydrogen fuelled passenger planes.

5.3.10. Incentives

Appropriate incentives should be provided for the vehicles, locomotives, airplanes, fuel cells and devices running on the cleanest fuel, i.e., on hydrogen.

6. Benefits

Conversion of Turkey to clean and permanent energy system, the Hydrogen Energy System, with hydrogen produced internally, will have many major benefits including the following:

Many jobs will be created, increasing employment.
Environmental and health damages resulting from fossil fuel use will be eliminated. Annual benefits to Turkey will be $64 billion.
Vehicle emissions would only be water or water vapors. Hence, city airs will be as clean as the air in the countryside.
Traffic will be quieter, since hydrogen fuel cells powering the vehicles will have no moving parts.
Health and environmental remediation expenditures will be reduced.
CO2 emissions will be eliminated, bringing Turkey in compliance with UN requirements.
Turkey will be an exporter of new hydrogen technologies and know-how.
Fossil fuel imports will mostly be eliminated.
Trade deficit will be eliminated.
National income will grow faster, increasing income per capita faster.
It will be possible for Turkey to be one of the ten biggest economies of the world.

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