FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014
Turkey is making a novel, if nutty, run at a new energy source that officials say could power an entire city.
The world's third-largest producer of the pistachio (after Iran and the U.S.) is considering constructing a pistachio-shell-powered city on a 7,900-acre area near Gaziantep (originally Antep) in southern Turkey, reports say.
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| MadMaxMarchHare / Wikimedia Commons |
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If approved, a project to build a city and power most of it with pistachio shells could be completed in about a year for about $822,420, according to reports. |
Gaziantep is regarded as the center of pistachio cultivation in the country. Gizmodo reports that the region exported 4,000 tons of pistachios in 2013.
The pistachio shells would provide heating and cooling for 60 percent of the new city's needs, reports relate.
Other energy-efficient technologies, such as green roofs, solar power, rainwater collection and wastewater management systems, would also be used,
The city would be home to 200,000 people, reports note, citing officials.
Nuts about Nuts
The idea for the project stems from a study conducted by a French environmental firm, according to the Turkish Press.
The firm, Burgeap, determined that the snack's shells—with a 19.26 calorific value per kilo—were the “most feasible source of energy” for the region, news bureaus report.
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| Annette von Spiegel / Wikimedia Commons |
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The city would be near Gaziantep, the pistachio cultivation center of the country. |
A copy of the study was not immediately available for review.
Before the officials get cracking on this ambitious project, they plan to review the Burgeap report in more detail.
In addition, a final feasibility report on the proposed city is set to be presented to the Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality.
If approved, the nut-focused project could be completed in about a year for about $822,420, reports relate.
Tagged categories: Building science; Energy efficiency; Government; Green building; Program/Project Management; Research
