Globally, heat represents over 50% of the final energy consumption, with serious implications for energy security and energy-related CO2 emissions. As efforts to replace fossil-generated heat with renewable energy sources are slowly gaining momentum, solar heat could make a significant impact both on strengthening energy security and tackling climate change. Although, Solar Heating & Cooling is still only making a modest contribution towards meeting the world’s energy demand, the recent IEA roadmap study foresees that solar energy could produce annually more than 16% of the total final energy use for low temperature heat and nearly 17% for cooling. 

SHC technologies have specific advantages as a renewable heating and cooling technology. Although some important economic benefits are often ignored, they offer great opportunities for local manufacturing and local economic growth, not only in emerging but also in mature markets. SHC applications create jobs, both at regional and local level, since many stages of the value chain (engineering, design, installation, operation and maintenance) cannot be delocalised and, therefore, can play a significant role towards local market growth.  

SHC technologies have developed considerably over the past decade, exploring new applications; this is illustrated by solar energy increasingly being used for industrial processes, for cooling purposes or in district heating networks. The industry quality scheme Solar Keymark has also greatly helped boost consumers’ confidence in the technologies. Like other renewables, solar energy has some way to go if it is to replace conventional energy; to achieve its full potential, combined with energy efficiency measures, the sector must improve its cost-competitiveness, develop better business models, create the right policy framework and advocate for greater R&D expenditure. 

With the worldwide acceleration of urbanization and the increasing demand for comfort, energy demand will continue to rise. Meeting this demand with clean, sustainable and indigenous options will present a major challenge, but should generate interesting business opportunities.  The outlook for Solar Heating and Cooling is bright!

Turkey is a case in point. For decades, in parallel with its population and GDP growth, Turkey has experienced a rapid growing demand in all segments of the energy sector. Turkey is developing an integrated energy policy aimed at securing a reliable energy supply, as well as achieving a low-carbon and environmentally sustainable future. Turkey also plans to promote employment and economic growth through the development of its energy sector. Solar energy plays a major part in Turkey’s renewable energy roadmap, since the country is geographically situated in a region called the “solar band”. And, currently Turkey is the biggest European solar thermal energy market.

Turkey joined the IEA SHC Programme in 2014 as a new but fully committed member. Organising a global conference dedicated to Solar Heating and Cooling in Turkey is the natural corollary of the sector’s development in that country. SHC 2015, to be held in Istanbul from 2 to 4 December, is a co-operation between IEA SHC and ESTIF. It will be hosted by GÜNDER, International Solar Energy Society -Turkey Section, with the support of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of the Turkish Republic.

SHC 2015 will bring together industry representatives, research experts and policy makers who will engage in fruitful discussions to put SHC technologies at the forefront of renewable energy.

We will work with that purpose in mind in SHC 2015, confident that it will strengthen the industry, as well as the links and cooperation between Turkey and the rest of the world so that we can work together to create a better future. 

Our very best wishes for a successful conference in Istanbul!