Investigation of environmental impacts of the use of simulation programs and simulators in the context of industrial sustainability

Rapid growth of industrial activities and technological advances necessitate the development of new approaches to environmental sustainability. Global problems such as climate change, resource depletion and environmental pollution require industrial processes to be made more efficient and environmentally friendly. In this context, simulation technologies stand out as an important tool contributing to industrial sustainability. Simulations help reduce environmental impacts in areas such as optimization of production processes, increasing energy efficiency and waste management, while also providing cost and time savings. This thesis aims to examine the environmental impacts of simulation technologies as a result of analyses conducted using IPCC and DEFRA data on direct and indirect emissions in the focus of sustainability. In the study, environmental performances of military vehicles in particular were analyzed comparatively and carbon footprints of different fuel types (diesel, biodiesel, hydrogen) were evaluated. In addition, emission values depending on electricity consumption of closed and open cabin simulators were calculated, and the environmental advantages of simulation-based training compared to traditional methods were revealed. The analyses conducted within the scope of the thesis show that simulation technologies increase resource efficiency, reduce emissions and contribute to sustainable production processes. The findings will guide the development of strategies focused on carbon footprint for the effective use of simulators in many different applications with a focus on climate change. This study aims to shed light on future research by emphasizing the role of simulation technologies in achieving sustainability goals.