Turkey's electricity distribution sector aims to replace at least 80 percent of the country's current electricity meters with smart meters by 2035, according to Turkey's Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EMRA) and Association of Distribution System Operators (ELDER) late Wednesday.
Both EMRA and ELDER set a roadmap for the transition to smart grids in Turkey with the aim of ensuring consumer satisfaction through more efficient usage while reducing electricity losses and cuts.
During the 6th International Istanbul Smart Grids and Cities Congress and Fair (ICSG 2018), the conclusion of the Turkey Smart Grid 2023 Project (TAS2023) was presented.
To access the current environment for upgrading to smart grid technology, Turkey's 21 electricity distribution companies were analyzed to determine their upgrade requirements.
According to the roadmap, each company operating in their own respective regions will determine their own needs and detail what the company needs to do to upgrade to smart meters.
The companies are required to submit their own report to EMRA by 2020, and in line with each company's requirements, the appropriate technology will be chosen and applied. The second phase of the project will outline the specific needs and applications of each distribution company.
According to the distribution sector, they expect 50 million subscribers by 2035, 80 percent of which will be able to access smart technology infrastructure.
Through smart technology, more integration of small-scale renewable energy generation projects into the grid will be enabled, the roadmap reveals.
Rooftop solar installations are gradually increasing while smart infrastructure will ease the way for their integration to the grid.
Currently, there are 42.5 million meters in Turkey, however, 21 billion Turkish liras is needed to transform these into smart meters.
By Nuran Erkul Kaya
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr