Determination of Positive Energy Districts

by Muhammed Raşit Çevikalp | Dec 14, 2023

Project Title: Determination of Positive Energy Districts
Project Supporter: European Union Horizon Europe, International ENPED, UPAG

Project Coordinator: Prof. Dr. Hande Demirel (Istanbul Technical University)

Project Main Topic:
The project aims to expand Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) using transportation and biogas. The Swedish RISE Institute leads this twelve-partner project, and the Istanbul Technical University is leading the Turkish team. A PED is an urban development strategy where energy consumption is reduced, and energy production is increased to minimize climate change, enabling the achievement of many Sustainable Development Goals. Within the project's scope, SWOT analysis and geographic information system-based analysis will be carried out at a district scale to develop and disseminate PEDs. The overall project goal is to demonstrate and assess methods to improve the viability of PEDs through technological and societal innovation in urban agriculture, green/waste management, and transport. Including new innovative components into PEDs enables resilient energy supply to the urban systems, including urban-rural relationships and transports within this system, by developing ethical business models based on the circularity of resources and social innovation. The innovative edge is the inclusion of innovative PED components and improving possibilities for off-grid operation to increase the robustness and viability of PEDs, utilizing viable business models and innovative types of energy carriers via recycling of energy in the food-feed system, biogas and including transports in the PED system of systems. The innovative components that are included in PEDs are other types of energy carriers via the food system of an urban system while providing ecosystem services (e.g., closing nutrient cycles, ensuring food security, mitigating climate change), improving the liveability in urban areas, and harmonize the urban-rural relationship in Sweden, Turkey, and Italy. The expected outcome is improved guidelines for extended PEDs (model of simplified systems of systems) aiming to support new and developed PEDs coupled with the creation of innovative and inclusive positive energy communities.

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İTÜ Faculty of Civil Engineering

It can be accepted that the history of ITU Civil Engineering Faculty was commenced in 1727 by the establishment of Humbarahane during the era of Damat İbrahim Paşa. However, this attempt was to no avail due to the martyrization of the studwents of this school by the Janissaries.

In 1734, during the grand viziership of Topal Osman Paşa, classes related to Civil Engineering was being taught in Hendesehane, which was founded in Üsküdar. Similarly, this school was also closed after three years due to the opposition of the Janissaries. The reasons of the tragedy that occured in Battle of Chesma, 1770 were inadequacy of the ships and the ignorance of the Ottoman Navy.

Although the Atlantic Map (1513) and the Map of Europe and the Mediterranean Sea (1523) by Piri Reis were the leading pieces of the era, Ottoman viziers were so ignorant that they claimed it was impossible for the Russian Baltic Fleet to reach the Mediterranean Sea assuming that there were no sea connection. With the proposal from Gazi Hasan Paşa and Baron de Tott, Mühendishane-i Bahri-i Humayun was established during the time of Sultan Mustafa III, aiming to train naval construction engineers. Since Ottoman Empire did not have any engineering schools at the time, military engineering classes were taught by French engineers beginning from 1784. French lecturers had to return to their country in 1788 with the increasing suppression from Austria and Russia, which were unwilling for the development and thriving of Ottoman Empire. In 1759, during the Grand Viziership of Koca Ragıp Paşa, Humbarahane was reopened in Karaağaç, Haliç (Golden Horn) and continued to teach even though it was incompetent. In 1792, Lağımcı Ocağı and Humbaracı Ocağı (Guild of Sappers) were established.