An overview of renewable energy and challenges of integrating renewable energy in a smart grid system in Turkey

Economic and social development of the country is highly dependent on the use of energy. In Turkey, electricity is mainly generated from thermal plants and Turkey imports fossil fuels from other countries. Turkey produces more than 55 percent of the electricity from thermal power plants. Turkey has several economic and geographical advantages; renewable energy resources are mainly from them. Thermal plants produce air pollution, which contributes to a significant number of environmental and health effects. Due to geographical locational advantages, renewable energy is the best solution for Turkey. Renewable energy just not minimize the dependence of Turkey from other countries but it will be also a great step towards a sustainable future. In an electric power system, smart grids have been successfully applied and distributed energy resources can be used efficiently by using smart grids. The first section in this work provides the distribution of electricity generation in Turkey. This paper also investigates the importance and advantages of renewable energy and the challenges of integrating renewable energy in the smart grid. Renewable energy can be used smartly and efficiently by using smart grids. However, smart technologies and renewable energy resources still need more research to become more efficient.