Atatürk University | SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy | Indicator 7.2.5
Reporting Year: 2025
Atatürk University recognises energy reviews, technical assessments and the identification of energy wastage as essential components of its institutional approach to energy efficiency and sustainable campus management.
The University’s energy review framework focuses on evaluating electricity and heating consumption, examining the energy performance of existing buildings, identifying inefficient systems and prioritising opportunities for energy-saving improvements.
This approach is supported by the University’s technical infrastructure functions, strategic sustainability planning and academic expertise in building energy performance, energy modelling and energy management.
During 2025, university-affiliated research further strengthened the technical knowledge available for energy diagnosis, consumption forecasting and the evaluation of energy efficiency interventions.
1. Institutional Governance and Energy Review Framework
1.1. Responsibilities and Coordination
Energy reviews require cooperation between administrative, technical and academic functions.
Atatürk University’s institutional framework identifies the following roles as relevant to energy assessment and improvement:
Construction and Technical Affairs Department
Responsible for university buildings, technical infrastructure and facility-related improvement activities. Its operational responsibilities are relevant to identifying inefficient building systems and assessing maintenance or modernisation requirements.
Strategy Development Department
Supports institutional planning, performance evaluation and the allocation of resources for infrastructure-related priorities.
Big Data Management Office
Coordinates institutional performance and sustainability data. Its analytical capabilities are relevant to the evaluation of energy consumption trends and the identification of unusual consumption patterns.
Engineering and Academic Units
Contribute scientific expertise in energy efficiency, building performance, thermal systems, energy modelling and technical assessment.
External Technical Specialists
Certified energy auditors and specialist consultants may support detailed building assessments where required.
These functions provide an organisational foundation for energy review activities. The formal composition of individual audit teams should be confirmed through relevant assignment records.
1.2. Review Frequency and Scheduling
The University’s previously presented energy review protocol identifies a three-to-five-year cycle for comprehensive energy assessments of major buildings.
The framework also provides for targeted interim reviews when energy consumption anomalies, technical problems or unexpected increases in demand are identified.
The intended review structure includes:
- Comprehensive reviews every 3–5 years: Detailed assessments of major university buildings and energy-intensive facilities.
- Annual performance reviews: Examination of electricity and heating consumption trends.
- Targeted technical assessments: Investigation of unusually high consumption or equipment inefficiencies.
- Post-improvement verification: Evaluation of energy performance following completed efficiency interventions.
The three-to-five-year interval is retained from the University’s previous evidence narrative. A formal review calendar and completed audit records are needed to verify its implementation during 2025.
2. Energy Review Methodology and Diagnostic Procedures
The energy review framework identifies a structured approach to examining energy consumption and locating potential sources of wastage.
2.1. Energy Consumption Data Analysis
The first stage involves examining energy consumption records to identify buildings and systems with relatively high demand.
Relevant data include:
- Annual electricity consumption.
- Monthly electricity consumption.
- Heating fuel consumption.
- Energy consumption per square metre.
- Building occupancy and operating schedules.
- Seasonal energy demand.
- Energy consumption trends.
- Changes in consumption following maintenance or equipment replacement.
These assessments can help identify buildings requiring more detailed investigation.
2.2. On-Site Technical Inspections
Walkthrough assessments provide opportunities to examine building conditions and identify potential inefficiencies.
Relevant inspection activities include:
- Checking lighting systems.
- Evaluating heating and ventilation equipment.
- Examining building insulation.
- Inspecting windows and doors.
- Identifying excessive equipment operation.
- Assessing heating distribution systems.
- Reviewing operating schedules and control settings.
2.3. Thermal Imaging and Building Envelope Assessment
Thermal imaging can support the identification of heat losses through building envelopes.
Potential diagnostic applications include:
- Locating insulation defects.
- Identifying thermal bridges.
- Detecting uncontrolled air leakage.
- Evaluating window and door performance.
- Examining heat losses from heating infrastructure.
Such assessments are particularly relevant in Erzurum because of its cold climatic conditions.
2.4. Mechanical and Electrical System Assessment
Technical reviews may examine:
- Boiler and heating system efficiency.
- Pump and fan operation.
- Ventilation systems.
- Lighting efficiency.
- Equipment operating schedules.
- Electrical distribution systems.
- Unnecessary standby loads.
- Opportunities for automated control.
2.5. Energy Review Reporting
A comprehensive energy review should produce findings that can support technical and financial decisions.
Relevant outputs include:
- Identified sources of energy wastage.
- Estimated energy-saving opportunities.
- Recommended corrective measures.
- Expected investment requirements.
- Estimated payback periods.
- Implementation priorities.
- Opportunities for subsequent performance verification.
These outputs provide a structured basis for connecting energy diagnosis with improvement planning.
3. Institutional Evidence of Energy Assessment and Feasibility Studies
3.1. University Energy Feasibility Studies
Atatürk University has documented experience with energy feasibility assessments.
An institutional event programme entitled “Climate-Friendly Erzurum: Erzurum Province Carbon Management and Sustainable Energy” included a presentation on:
“Feasibility Study of Solar Energy, Cogeneration/Trigeneration and Efficient Street Lighting at Atatürk University.”
This is particularly relevant because it explicitly identifies energy-related feasibility work concerning university infrastructure.
The programme demonstrates institutional engagement with the technical assessment of renewable energy, energy production and lighting efficiency opportunities.
Evidence: Atatürk University – Climate-Friendly Erzurum and Sustainable Energy Programme
3.2. LED Lighting Feasibility Assessment
The study “Feasibility Study of Atatürk University for LED Illumination” examined the potential for replacing conventional lighting with more efficient alternatives.
Lighting assessments can identify opportunities to reduce electricity consumption through:
- Replacement of inefficient fixtures.
- Improved lighting controls.
- Occupancy-based operation.
- Reduced lighting during unoccupied periods.
The study provides a technical foundation for evaluating lighting-related energy wastage.
Evidence: Feasibility Study of Atatürk University for LED Illumination
3.3. Building Energy Performance Assessments
University-affiliated research has examined building energy performance and the application of the Turkish BEP-TR methodology.
The study “Evaluations on the Energy Identity Certificate and the Usability of Calculation Method of Building Energy Performance” evaluated energy requirements and building performance.
The assessment compared insulated and uninsulated building scenarios.
Reported heating energy requirements included:
- 92 kWh/m² annually for the insulated building, classified as energy performance class C.
- 134 kWh/m² annually for the uninsulated building, classified as energy performance class E.
These findings illustrate how building energy assessments can identify differences in thermal performance and potential energy-saving opportunities.
The values are research findings and should not be interpreted as measurements from the University’s own campus buildings.
Evidence: AVESİS – Building Energy Performance and Energy Identity Certificates
4. New Scientific Evidence from 2025
Atatürk University-affiliated researchers contributed to studies directly relevant to energy reviews, diagnostic assessment and energy efficiency decision-making during 2025.
4.1. Machine Learning Approaches for Energy Management in Public Buildings
A 2025 study entitled “Machine Learning Approaches for Energy Management in Public Buildings” examined electricity consumption forecasting in three district governorate buildings in Erzurum.
The research evaluated several machine learning methods:
- Long Short-Term Memory networks (LSTM).
- K-Nearest Neighbours (KNN).
- Gradient Boosted Decision Trees (GBDT).
- Random Forest (RF).
- Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost).
The study compared prediction performance using RMSE, MAE and MAPE metrics.
Its findings demonstrate the potential of data-driven methods to improve energy demand forecasting and support energy management decisions in public buildings.
Such approaches are relevant to identifying unusual consumption patterns and prioritising energy reviews.
The buildings studied were public administration facilities, not Atatürk University campus buildings.
Evidence: AVESİS – Machine Learning Approaches for Energy Management in Public Buildings, 2025
4.2. Calibration of Building Energy Simulation Models
A 2025 study entitled “Calibration of Building Energy Simulation Models for Energy-Efficient Retrofitting: A Residential Case Study in Samsun-Havza” addressed the improvement of building energy simulation accuracy.
Calibrated simulation models are relevant to energy reviews because they allow observed building performance to be compared with modelled energy consumption.
They can support:
- Identification of performance gaps.
- Evaluation of building retrofit alternatives.
- Assessment of heating and cooling requirements.
- Estimation of potential energy savings.
- Improvement of technical decision-making.
This research contributes to the University’s technical expertise in energy diagnosis and building performance evaluation.
Evidence: AVESİS – Calibration of Building Energy Simulation Models, 2025
4.3. Integrated Assessment of Energy-Efficient Building Retrofits
A doctoral study completed in 2025, with an Atatürk University-affiliated co-supervisor, examined an integrated approach to energy-efficient building retrofits.
The study combined:
- Building energy simulation.
- Taguchi experimental design.
- Regression modelling.
- Multi-criteria decision-making.
- Energy consumption analysis.
- Carbon emissions assessment.
- Economic feasibility analysis.
The research modelled 648 retrofit combinations.
In the energy/environment-focused scenarios, annual energy consumption decreased from 152,228 kWh to 77,445 kWh, representing a modelled reduction of approximately 49.1%.
The study also assessed investment payback periods and benefit-cost ratios.
These findings demonstrate how technical reviews can support the prioritisation of energy-saving interventions.
The study concerns a residential building model and does not establish energy savings achieved in university facilities.
Evidence: AVESİS – Integrated Approach to Energy-Efficient Building Retrofits, 2025
5. Identification of Areas with the Highest Energy Wastage
The University’s energy review framework identifies several categories requiring particular attention.
5.1. Inefficient Lighting
Potential sources of energy wastage include:
- Conventional lighting equipment.
- Excessive lighting in corridors and common areas.
- Lighting during unoccupied periods.
- Inadequate automatic controls.
- Inefficient outdoor lighting.
Relevant interventions include LED replacement, occupancy sensors and improved operating schedules.
5.2. Heating and Ventilation Inefficiencies
Potential problems include:
- Excessive heating during low-occupancy periods.
- Poor temperature control.
- Inefficient boilers.
- Unbalanced heating distribution.
- Constant-speed pumps and fans.
- Inadequate equipment maintenance.
Heating-related assessments are particularly important in Erzurum’s climate.
5.3. Building Envelope Heat Losses
Energy reviews may identify:
- Inadequate roof insulation.
- Insufficient external wall insulation.
- Inefficient glazing.
- Air leakage.
- Thermal bridges.
- Poorly insulated heating infrastructure.
5.4. Electrical Equipment and Standby Consumption
Potential sources include:
- Laboratory equipment left operating unnecessarily.
- Computers and monitors in standby mode.
- Inefficient motors.
- Excessive operation of shared equipment.
- Unnecessary electricity use outside normal working hours.
5.5. Operational and Scheduling Inefficiencies
Energy consumption may increase when equipment operation is not aligned with actual building use.
Potential examples include:
- Heating empty classrooms.
- Lighting unoccupied facilities.
- Operating ventilation systems outside necessary hours.
- Maintaining unnecessary equipment operation during holidays.
These categories provide a diagnostic checklist. They should not be described as confirmed faults in particular university buildings without inspection records.
6. Digital Energy Monitoring and Targeted Reviews
6.1. Building-Level Consumption Monitoring
The University’s energy management roadmap identifies digital monitoring as an important mechanism for improving the effectiveness of energy reviews.
The proposed approach includes:
- Collection of electricity consumption data.
- Monitoring of heating energy use.
- Building-level performance dashboards.
- Monthly and annual trend comparisons.
- Identification of unexpected consumption increases.
- Support for technical investigations.
6.2. Anomaly Detection and Targeted Audits
Digital monitoring can support targeted reviews when unusual consumption patterns are identified.
A proposed diagnostic workflow involves:
- Detecting a consumption anomaly.
- Identifying the affected building or system.
- Comparing consumption with historical data.
- Conducting a technical inspection.
- Determining possible causes.
- Recommending corrective measures.
- Monitoring consumption following intervention.
This approach would help direct technical resources towards facilities with the greatest potential for energy savings.
The existence of a fully operational, campus-wide automated anomaly detection system during 2025 requires separate technical verification.
7. Integration with the Energy Efficiency Plan
Energy reviews are closely related to the University’s Energy Efficiency Plan, addressed under SDG Indicator 7.2.4.
The University’s previously presented roadmap includes:
- 25–30% reduction in overall energy consumption by 2030 relative to the proposed 2020 baseline.
- LED lighting upgrades in at least 30% of buildings during the initial implementation phase.
- Improvement of building thermal performance.
- Modernisation of heating and ventilation systems.
- Expansion of digital monitoring and building automation.
- Progressive integration of renewable energy.
Energy reviews provide the technical information needed to identify which interventions should receive priority.
7.1. Audit-to-Action Process
The energy review framework links diagnostic findings with investment planning through the following process:
Energy Consumption Assessment → Identification of Wastage → Technical Diagnosis → Evaluation of Savings → Investment Prioritisation → Corrective Measures → Performance Verification
7.2. Prioritisation Criteria
Potential energy efficiency interventions can be ranked according to:
- Expected annual energy savings.
- Investment cost.
- Payback period.
- Technical feasibility.
- Carbon reduction potential.
- Building condition.
- Operational importance.
- Maintenance requirements.
7.3. Funding and Implementation
Energy efficiency improvements may be supported through:
- Institutional investment budgets.
- Relevant national funding programmes.
- Public-sector energy efficiency initiatives.
- Renewable energy support programmes.
- Research and development funding.
The use of any particular funding programme for a specific university retrofit requires project-level documentation.
8. Performance Monitoring and Continuous Improvement
The energy review framework includes the evaluation of energy consumption before and after improvement measures.
Relevant indicators include:
| Performance Indicator | Assessment Purpose |
|---|---|
| Annual electricity consumption | Identify high-consumption facilities |
| Annual heating energy consumption | Evaluate heating efficiency |
| Energy consumption per square metre | Compare building performance |
| Peak electricity demand | Identify unusually high loads |
| Lighting electricity consumption | Assess lighting improvement opportunities |
| Heating system performance | Identify operational inefficiencies |
| Building envelope heat losses | Prioritise insulation improvements |
| Estimated energy savings | Compare intervention alternatives |
| Investment payback period | Support investment decisions |
| Verified post-retrofit savings | Evaluate completed improvements |
Monitoring these indicators can support repeated assessments and continuous improvement.
9. Evidence Sources
| Evidence | Relevance to Indicator 7.2.5 |
|---|---|
| University Energy Feasibility Studies | Documented assessment of university energy technologies and efficient lighting |
| LED Lighting Feasibility Study | Technical evaluation of electricity-saving opportunities |
| Building Energy Performance Assessment | Methodology for assessing energy consumption and building performance |
| 2025 Machine Learning for Public Building Energy Management | Data-driven energy forecasting and diagnostic methods |
| 2025 Building Energy Simulation Calibration | Building energy assessment and simulation |
| 2025 Integrated Building Retrofit Assessment | Evaluation and prioritisation of energy efficiency interventions |
| Atatürk University Strategic Plan 2024–2028 | Institutional strategic planning framework |
10. Contribution to SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy
Atatürk University’s energy review framework integrates energy consumption assessment, building performance evaluation, technical inspections, energy modelling, digital monitoring objectives and investment prioritisation.
The University’s documented energy feasibility studies and building energy performance research provide a foundation for identifying energy-saving opportunities.
In 2025, university-affiliated research on public building energy forecasting, building simulation calibration and retrofit optimisation further strengthened the technical expertise relevant to energy diagnosis.
The previously presented institutional review protocol retains a three-to-five-year comprehensive assessment cycle, supplemented by targeted technical reviews and ongoing energy performance monitoring.
Together, these activities and planning mechanisms support SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy, Indicator 7.2.5: Energy Reviews to Identify Areas of Highest Energy Wastage, demonstrating the University’s technical capacity and strategic approach to identifying and reducing inefficient energy use.
