DemirDöküm introduces a new technology and investment to achieve its ambitious targets for the heating industry.
In a world where the ever-increasing need of energy leads to search for new energy sources, DemirDöküm begins investing in Micro Cogeneration Units -encouraged by authorities especially for houses- which is designed around the principle of ''generate your own electricity, use it for heating and other purposes, and sell its surplus to the government''. Thus DemirDöküm has signed an agreement with Rabien Energy, a German company established in 1973. The agreement in question covers a project to be realized in two stages, entitled Research & Development and Investment & Manufacturing stages. The former stage is expected to be completed in 2007, and will be followed with the latter stage. DemirDöküm will initially launch Micro Cogeneration Units in Germany.
DemirDöküm, a subsidiary of Koç Holding considered to be the locomotive of the Turkish economy, strengthens its status as a worldwide player in the heating industry with the above mentioned investment. Considering increasing energy needs therefore worldwide raising costs, DemirDöküm allocated a budget of Euro 1.2 million for R&D activities for Micro Cogeneration Units. Aiming to be one of the first investors on Micro Cogeneration Units encouraged by the E.U. governments, DemirDöküm has entered into an agreement with Rabien Energy, a German company active as of 1973.
Delivering a speech at a ceremony held for the agreement in question, Bülent Lütfü Kızıltan, general manager of DemirDöküm, explained that since energy costs increase in the world in general and in Europe in particular, governments provide incentives for alternative energy sources, and gave information about the project they would realize with vastly experienced Rabien.
Mr. Kızıltan said: ''About 50% of natural gas imported to Turkey is consumed for generating power. This power generation process causes some heat losses. Furthermore, 4% of the power generated this way is lost due to infrastructure and cabling problems. The basic aim of this project is to create small-scale power generators. In the future it will be possible to use the heat losses in question for house heating, water heating and for cooling applications.''
Pointing out that the German government provides incentives for such cogeneration projects in order to reduce the amount of power imported, Mr. Kızıltan said ''In Germany it is possible to feed home-generated power back to the power network, for which the government pays Eurocent 12/kWh to such households. I believe a similar system infrastructure can be built here in this country.''
Emphasizing that DemirDöküm finds alternative cogeneration projects extremely important, Mr. Kızıltan explained that DemirDöküm would start alternative R&D works on power generation, heating, cooling and water heating based on hydrogen and solar energy technologies.
Peter Rabien, president of Rabien Energy, expressed their happiness with the agreement made with DemirDöküm, and pointed out that Micro Cogeneration Units are supported under law in Germany and will be realized in the E.U., saying: ''From now on the private sector had better focus on manufacturing and marketing of these units.''
Micro Cogeneration Units contain small-scale power generation capacities and are recommended for houses in general. It generates power and heating for the house at same time. If the amount of power it generates is more than the consumption, it can transfer the surplus power to the power network. Thanks to the official incentives provided and the necessary infrastructure built by the German government, households are able to sell their surplus power to the government. As Micro Cogeneration Units spread, the need for immensely expensive power generation facilities will decrease. Another advantage of this system is its ability to solve power transmission losses which are higher in Turkey than Europe. The above described properties make Micro Cogeneration Units emerge as the herald of a new age.
The agreement covers a project to be realized in two stages. The first stage will consist of Research & Development works; the second stage will ensure manufacturing of these units which will be initially launched in Germany thanks to the official incentives there. For this investment DemirDöküm will use R&D funds of the E.U. through TEYDEB. DemirDöküm plans to make turnover of Euro 36 million with this investment.
Not contenting with this investment, DemirDöküm will continue to expand its range of new energy sources by also focusing on hydrogen and solar energy technologies.