Browsing by Author "Küçüker, M.A."

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Citation - WoS: 3
Citation - Scopus: 3
Cradle-To Life Cycle Assessment of Heavy Machinery Manufacturing: a Case Study in Türkiye
(Springer, 2025) Üçtuğ, F.G.; Ediger, V.Ş.; Küçüker, M.A.; Berk, İ.; İnan, A.; Moghadasi Fereidani, B.
Purpose: Amidst accelerated industrialization and urbanization, the surge in heavy equipment production, crucial for construction, mining, industry, and transportation, necessitates a comprehensive examination of its environmental implications from a sustainability standpoint. This study aims to scrutinize the environmental impacts of manufacturing forklifts and semi-trailers in Türkiye, employing the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. Methods: The life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology is the foundational framework for evaluating the environmental impacts associated with forklift and semi-trailer manufacturing. A cradle-to-gate approach was employed. CCaLC2 software alongside the Ecoinvent 3.0 database and CML LCIA methodology was used. Results: The carbon footprint analysis reveals that the production of a single forklift and semi-trailer generates 10.8 tons CO2eq. and 24.9 tons CO2eq. of emissions, respectively. Considering the mass of the machinery, these figures translate to 2.8 ton CO2eq./ton machinery and 1.57 ton CO2eq/ton machinery for the forklift and semi-trailer, respectively. These results were found to be consistent with values reported for similar (but not identical) heavy machinery. Notably, the predominant share of environmental impact stems from raw material acquisition for both products, with subsequent contributions from various production stages. Steel utilization emerges as the primary contributor to all environmental impact categories, constituting an average contribution of 75%. Noteworthy exceptions include the acidification potential of forklift production, where the incorporation of the engine emerges as the primary hotspot with a significant 38% contribution. Conclusions: The findings present the environmental footprint associated with forklift and semi-trailer manufacturing, emphasizing the pivotal role of raw material acquisition, particularly steel utilization. Insights derived from this environmental impact assessment provide invaluable guidance for enhancing environmental sustainability. Decision-makers and industry stakeholders can leverage these conclusions to implement targeted measures, such as exploring alternative materials or refining production processes, to mitigate the environmental consequences of resource-intensive heavy equipment manufacturing, aligning with broader sustainability objectives. © The Author(s) 2025.
Energy Management in Organized Industrial Zones: Promoting the Green Energy Transition in Turkish Manufacturing Industry
(IEEE Computer Society, 2024) Ediger, V.Ş.; Küçüker, M.A.; Berk, I.; Inan, A.; Üçtuǧ, F.G.
Organized Industrial Zones (OIZ), which gained legal status by Law 4562 of 2000, played a significant role in Turkish industrialization policies, particularly in improving Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The energy management (EM) within OIZs is essential for Türkiye's green transition and 2053 net-zero pathway. Following the publication of a directive on OIZ's electricity market activities in 2006, enterprises can purchase electricity directly from OIZ management. Moreover, the Energy Efficiency Law No. 5627 of 2007 required OIZs to establish an energy management unit (EMU) to serve the participants with less than 1000 tons of oil equivalent (toe) energy consumption. EMUs provide OIZ management with a unique opportunity to enhance sustainable energy transition by increasing renewable energy production and improving the energy efficiency of participating enterprises. The primary goal of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness of energy management units in OIZs in encouraging energy efficiency and green energy transition in the Turkish manufacturing industry. As a case study, we examine EM in the Adana Haci Sabanci Organized Industrial Zone (Adana OIZ), which ranks third among OIZs regarding electricity consumption. We analyze data on electricity infrastructures, roof-top PVs, invoice settlements/offsets, energy efficiency investments, and GHG emissions between 2017 and 2023. Our preliminary findings suggest that EMU in the Adana OIZ makes a very important contribution to the green transition of industrial establishments and that regulatory changes over the last decades have had positive effects. The share of renewable energy in the total energy mix increased from 1.6% to 21.4% over six years, and there has been a noteworthy enhancement in energy efficiency, reaching 27% in 22 companies evaluated. The main policy implication of our findings is that the role of regulatory bodies and efficient energy management in OIZs will be critical in achieving Türkiye's net zero target of 2053. © 2024 IEEE.