At Bilkent University, lighting systems and electronic devices used by stakeholders in its buildings are being gradually replaced with higher-end, energy-saving devices. As a result of the LED luminaire replacements carried out throughout the campus during the 2024-2025 academic year, an energy saving of 908.478 kWh has been achieved. This represents approximately a 50% saving.

Smart Buildings

The total area of ​​smart buildings at Bilkent University is 54,734 m2. Its share in the total area covered by campus buildings is 10.17%. The smart buildings located on Bilkent Campus are: 

• 81-82. Student Dormitories (24.144 m2) 
• 107 Lodging Buildings (8,555 m2) 
• BLIS Laboratory Schools (12.080 m2) 
• AB MikroNano Research Center (3,766 m2) 
• Marmara Restaurant (3.715 m2) 
• Indoor Swimming Pool (2.474 m2) 

The smart building features in these buildings are as follows;

• Fire detection system 
• Security surveillance system 
• Automation lighting system (by hour) – LED, sensor and passive lighting 
• Automation heating and ventilation heat systems 
• Air quality monitoring system 
• Water heating system with solar energy

Green Building Practices 

The green building practices in Bilkent University campuses are as follows; 

• Natural ventilation and passive shading, 
• Solar panel systems, 
• Thermally insulated exterior cladding, 
• Rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling, 
• Control of energy and water consumption with automation systems, 
• Sensor-operated fixtures, LED lighting and sensor-operated fixtures for toilets.

Electricity on Bilkent University campuses; It is used for lighting, heating, cooling and laboratory applications. Total electricity usage in the last 5 years is as follows; 

• 24.063.178 kWh in the 2020-2021 Academic year 
• 23.514.744 kWh in the 2021-2022 Academic year 
• 26.913.607 kWh in the 2022-2023 Academic year
• 25.081.082 kWh in the 2023-2024 Academic year
• 25.335.492 kWh in the 2024-2025 Academic year

As of the 2024-2025 academic year, Bilkent University started to install solar panels in designated areas within the campus and produced electricity from these panels. The amount of electricity obtained from solar panels installed in the relevant year was 3.001.320 kWh, and it covered 11.85% of the total electricity consumption.

• Installation of Solar Panels and Electricity Generation – Scope 2: Although Bilkent University purchases a large portion of the electricity used on campus, it aims to eliminate emissions as much as possible through a solar panel electricity generation project initiated in recent years.

• Use of Electric Vehicles and Establishment of Charging Stations – Scope 3: Bilkent University has implemented a 50% discount on vehicle tolls to encourage the use of electric vehicles, and has also installed electric vehicle charging stations in campus parking lots. As of the 2024-2025 academic year, a total of 6 electric charging stations are located in different areas, and the University owns 2 electric vehicles.

• Improvement of Waste Management – ​​Scope 3: Zero Waste is a waste management philosophy that encompasses preventing or reducing waste generation, and if waste is generated, collecting it separately at the source and ensuring its recycling.

• Smoke-Free Campus – Scope 3: Bilkent University has launched a Smoke-Free Campus Policy with the goal of creating a healthy and civilized university environment for all university stakeholders.
• Reducing Water Usage – Scope 1: In order to conserve water, foam soap has been introduced instead of liquid soap in all restrooms at the University. Rainwater collected in the reservoir is used to water the university’s green areas.

The total carbon footprint of Bilkent University campuses was calculated by taking into account the 4 criteria detailed below. These; 

• Electricity Usage – (Annual Electricity Usage) / 1000) x 0.84 = (26,913,607 / 1000) x 0.84 = 21.281,81 metric tons 
• Bus Usage – (Number of shuttles/buses of the university) x (Daily number of trips of each service / bus) x (Average distance covered by each service / bus within the campus) x 2 x 240) / 100) x 0.01) = 64,80 metric tons 
• Car Usage – (Number of cars entering the campus daily) x 2 02 = 2.880,00 metric tons 
• Motorcycle Usage – (Number of motorcycles entering the campus daily) x 2 x (Average distance traveled by each motorcycle within the campus) = 102,24 metric tons 

Total Carbon Footprint = (21.281,81 + 64,80 + 2.880,00+ 102,24) = 24.328,85 metric tons

University Population: 

• Number of Full-Time Students: 10.657 
• Number of Full-Time Academicians: 658 
• Number of Full-Time Administrative Staff: 656
• Full Time Population: 11.971 
• Carbon Footprint per Population: 24.328,85 metric tons / 11.971 people = 2.02 metric tons / person

It has been calculated that there will be a carbon footprint of 2.02 metric tons per person in the 2024-2025 Academic Year. 

Device Usage

In Bilkent University buildings, lighting systems and electronic devices used by stakeholders are being gradually replaced with high-end, energy-saving devices. As a result of the LED luminaire replacements carried out throughout the campus in the 2024-2025 academic year, an energy saving of 908,478 kWh was achieved. This represents approximately a 50% saving.

Building Thermal Insulations

In newly constructed buildings, thicker insulation is used than required by the regulation. While the minimum required stone wool thermal insulation thickness for Ankara is 8 cm on average, 20 cm stone wool insulation is used in our campus. In addition, products with high insulation value are selected for thermally insulated joinery and glass, and thermal insulation is solved in new buildings according to German Passive House principles. In this way, energy savings are achieved by reducing heat loss in buildings.