Environmental research

The Village of Sahmuratl on the Central Anatolian Plateau, and its Kerkenes Eco-Center is the ideal venue for the demonstration and promotion of the use of renewable energy on a regional scale as well as a national one. The proposed project leads the way to the desirable improvements of rural conditions and infrastructure. This can be perhaps be perceived as bringing the city to the village in an attempt to halt and even reverse the migration of villagers from the rural areas to the urban centers known to be a source of much of the environmental pollution blamed for climate change. The project is concerned with the use of solar energy while paving the way for the introduction of the use of wind energy in further studies. Energy efficiency in design and careful management of resources, especially water, will be demonstrated with a carefully targeted program and educational activities. To decrease dependence on electricity and fossil fuels, the use of solar energy for cooking and heating is promoted. Villagers themselves are involved in the proposed program for the production and use of solar cookers, drying racks and water heaters. Events are organised to ensure that the efforts stretch beyond the borders of Sahmuratli Village and become a catalyst to the developments of other regional and even national initiatives. Passive solar heating design for the addition of a solar space is proposed for a dwelling from the village which will be selected according to its appropriateness together with villager Dernek and Kerkenes team studies. Results from this case study will be published and disseminated through the project`s web page and international conferences. Energy efficient design is also be demonstrated in a greenhouse set up to extend the growing season and minimise the need for water. The development of permaculture is an integral part of the project activities and the villagers are encouraged to follow the principals of organic farming and controlled irrigation. Finally, the importance of the educational program has to be stressed. Events to promote the project activities and technical information are organised in common places of village and in this Center. The association and its project partner the Kerkenes EcoCenter Team will proudly play a leading role in the promotion of renewable energy for a better world. The project aims to promote the use of solar energy in Sahmuratli Village, near Kerkenes Archeological Excavation site, in order to decrease dependence on electricity and fossil fuels. Villagers will be involved in the program of the production and use of solar cookers, drying racks and water heaters. Also, passive solar heating design for the addition of a solar space will be prepared for a dwelling from the village which will be selected according to its appropriateness together with Village Dernek and Kerkenes team. Moreover, energy efficient design will be demonstrated in a greenhouse set up to extend the growing season and minimise the need for water. The development of permaculture will be an integral part of the project activities and the villagers will be encouraged to follow the principals of organic farming and controlled irrigation. Another important activity of the project is to help include the local women both into the project and to the trainings which are planned to be given in the Akdag Building, a revolutionary product of archtecture, a seemingly ordinary concrete building made from haystacks by the Kerkenes team.

Turkey