7. Affordable and Clean Energy

7.2.2. Upgrade Buildings to Higher Energy Efficiency

Within the framework of its 2024–2028 Strategic Plan, IGU has set concrete targets to improve the energy efficiency of its existing buildings in order to achieve energy savings and reduce carbon emissions harmful to the environment. These targets are supported by strategic sub-goals shaped under the main objective SA.3 – Enhancing Multifaceted Social Benefit by Centering Sustainability.

Specifically, in line with the objective SH.3.2 – Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Sustainable Environmental Management System, systematic investments and implementations aimed at improving building energy performance are being carried out across all campuses within the university.

In this direction;

New buildings and renovation works are carried out with energy-saving applications such as insulation, natural lighting, automation systems, and LED conversion. In 2024, 2.298 fluorescent lights were replaced with LED systems, increasing the LED usage rate from 78,49% to 90,08%.

Table 2. Changes in Total Lighting and LED Lighting Numbers by Years
 

IGU has a total of 370 air conditioning units. Of these, 355 are new-generation models with high energy efficiency and environmentally friendly features, while only 15 units are older, high-energy-consumption models. The university aims to gradually replace these 15 units with efficient models, thereby achieving an almost complete energy efficiency transformation in its climate control systems.

IGU adopts the use of renewable resources in its procurement processes as an institutional priority. In line with this, the university aims to integrate clean and sustainable energy into both campus life and academic-administrative operations. To achieve this goal, IGU holds the Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin (YEK-G) and The International REC Standard (I-REC) certifications. These certifications officially verify that all electricity consumed on IGU campuses is sourced entirely from renewable resources. Since 2021, the university’s electricity consumption has been supplied by hydroelectric power plants, and as of 2024, this consumption is fully met by solar energy. This transition not only reduces the university’s carbon footprint but also demonstrates the integration of energy efficiency principles into its institutional infrastructure policies.

• Thanks to external facade insulation work, natural gas consumption has been reduced, and energy efficiency has been improved during the winter months.
• At the Tower Campus, lighting systems equipped with daylight sensors have been implemented, preventing unnecessary energy consumption outside of working hours.
• At the Tower Campus of the university, regular maintenance and improvement activities are conducted for the mechanical automation systems used in indoor climate control and energy management. To enhance the efficiency of these systems, hardware replacements are made when deemed necessary, thereby reducing energy consumption during heating and cooling processes. Accordingly, the 2025 targets include replacing the existing chiller systems with models of higher energy efficiency. This planned transformation aims to make the cooling infrastructure across the campus more environmentally friendly, economical, and sustainable.
• Regular maintenance protocols for the generator systems have resulted in reduced fuel consumption and the associated carbon emissions.
• IGU develops projects aimed at conserving natural resources and indirectly reducing energy consumption through the recovery of rainwater and greywater. One such initiative was implemented in 2023 at the Tower Campus, where systems for collecting and reusing rainwater were activated. This application not only conserves water but also contributes to energy efficiency by reducing energy consumption in water treatment and pumping processes. Additionally, these practices aim to raise awareness among students and staff about sustainable resource use.