Support for Local Community on Energy Efficiency
Sakarya University carries out various activities and projects aimed at raising awareness of energy efficiency and clean energy among both the university community and the local public. These programs aim to enhance public awareness in line with environmental sustainability goals.
Educational and Awareness Programs:
The university organizes educational programs and seminars on energy efficiency and sustainable energy for students, academic staff, and the local community. These events are designed to foster energy conservation and environmental awareness. In 2023, an event titled “Turkey’s Energy Policies in the Context of International Energy Security” raised awareness on energy security, sustainable energy policies, and energy efficiency.
Academic publications provide significant benefits to society by promoting knowledge sharing, innovation, and sustainable development. Research conducted at Sakarya University offers solutions in areas ranging from environmentally friendly energy use to combating climate change. Studies on renewable energy, carbon footprint reduction, and climate change help inform public awareness and also provide scientific foundations for public policies and industrial practices. Numerous articles on energy efficiency were published in 2023.
Sustainable Future Meetings:
Sakarya University organized a series of events titled “Sustainable Future Meetings” to raise awareness on sustainability. These events addressed various topics in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Highlights from the 2023 events include:
Sustainable Energy and Climate Change: In this event, Prof. Dr. Cenk Yavuz and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ceyda Aksoy discussed energy efficiency and clean energy solutions, covering renewable energy usage and ways to combat climate change.
What Happens If We Do Not Adapt to Climate Changes? This event, featuring Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mahnaz Gümrükçüoğlu Yiğit, discussed potential disaster scenarios, adaptation strategies, and the negative societal impacts of failing to adapt to climate change.
European Mobility Week Participation:
During European Mobility Week, Sakarya University closed off vehicle traffic on campus on select days to promote sustainable transportation. The event, themed "Explore Your City," emphasized the importance of reducing carbon footprints while sharing information on clean transportation alternatives and energy conservation. For 2023, the focus was captured with the slogan "Save Energy for the Future."
Zero Waste Program:
The Zero Waste Program aims to reduce environmental pollution by separating, recycling, and minimizing waste at its source within the university. Awareness is raised through competitions for students, fostering a sense of environmental responsibility among students and staff, while promoting resource conservation on campus.
Commitment to 100% Renewable Energy
Sakarya University aims to meet its entire energy consumption from renewable sources and to reduce its carbon footprint. With solar panels and wind turbines installed on campus, the university supported renewable energy production exceeding its own consumption in 2023 through International Renewable Energy Certificates (I-REC) sourced from hydroelectric, wind, and solar energy. I-REC certifications document the university’s commitment to renewable energy according to international standards. Additionally, Sakarya University has adopted the goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2053 and has prioritized renewable energy systems in new campus buildings.
Turkey ratified the Paris Agreement on September 21, 2021, and announced its 2053 Net Zero Emission Target as part of the green development revolution on September 27, 2021. Following these developments, Turkey officially became a party to the Paris Agreement on November 11, 2021. Turkey has demonstrated its commitment to combating climate change both by setting a net zero emission target and by joining the Paris Agreement.
Industrial Energy Efficiency Services
Sakarya University provides various services to local industries, including energy efficiency, sustainable energy solutions, and technical support. These efforts help industrial businesses reduce their energy consumption, adopt environmentally friendly practices, and achieve sustainability goals.
Within Sakarya University TEKNOKENT, which aims to enhance collaboration among industry, research centers, entrepreneurs, and markets, 20 companies operate in the fields of energy and environment. Additionally, in 2023, Sakarya University faculty filed a patent application for a “Recycling Method and System for Solar Panels.” Seminar on Climate Change, Sustainability, and Green Transformation was held in cooperation with the Sakarya Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Green Academy Platform, Sakarya University, and Sakarya University of Applied Sciences.
Sakarya University National Critical Infrastructure Testbed Center (CENTER SAU):
CENTER SAU provides training on energy efficiency and safety to personnel in the energy sector. The center offers local industries energy efficiency evaluations, workshops, and renewable energy options to enhance energy efficiency in industrial operations.
Design and Prototype Production of a 100% Hydrogen-Fueled Boiler Project:
Supported by TÜBİTAK’s TEYDEB 1505 University-Industry Collaboration Program, this project is a collaboration between Daikin Turkey’s R&D department and Sakarya University. Led by Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Pehlivan from Sakarya University’s Faculty of Engineering, the project aims to develop an energy-efficient, environmentally friendly hydrogen-fueled boiler prototype. This project supports the use of hydrogen as an alternative to fossil fuels, providing a zero-emission heating solution, and contributes to the development of innovative and sustainable solutions in the energy sector.
Consulting and Training Services:
The university offers consulting services on energy efficiency to industrial businesses, including energy management training and recommendations for energy-saving solutions. Through these collaborations, local industries are supported in achieving their environmental sustainability goals.
Policy Development for Clean Energy Technologies:
Sakarya University provides information and support to governments and local authorities on clean energy and energy efficiency technologies, contributing to national and local sustainability goals through these policy development activities.
Sustainable Energy Action Plan:
Sakarya University contributed to the preparation of the Sakarya Metropolitan Municipality Sustainable Energy Action Plan, which aims to optimize energy consumption and increase the use of clean energy sources in the city. Developed with the university’s academic support, this plan plays a significant role in helping the city achieve its sustainability targets.
National and International Projects:
Through participation in the EU Horizon Europe program’s FREE4LIB project, Sakarya University contributes to the recycling of lithium-ion batteries. This project plays an essential role in supporting a circular economy and developing environmentally friendly energy technologies.
Government Collaboration and Consulting Services:
Sakarya University provides consulting services to public institutions on developing energy efficiency and clean energy policies. In this context, guides for achieving energy savings in public buildings have been prepared and energy efficiency practices have been promoted, supporting the public sector’s contribution to environmental sustainability.
Our academic staff actively contributes to policy-making processes on climate change and energy efficiency by participating in various local and national projects. These include the Sakarya Chamber of Commerce and Industry Environmental and Urban Planning Commission, the Sakarya Basin River Basin Management Plan Preparation Project, the project on “Establishing Zero Waste Applications and Deposit Management Systems on University Campuses and Developing Standard Applications Nationwide” conducted with the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change’s Turkish Environmental Agency, and the Disaster Management Water Security and Emergency Action Plan Workshop by the Sakarya Provincial Health Directorate. In these efforts, our staff contribute to developing strategic solutions in environmental sustainability, efficient use of energy resources, and adaptation to climate change.
Support for Low Carbon Innovation
Sakarya University has made significant contributions to supporting and promoting initiatives for a low-carbon economy in 2023. In this context, the university has taken important steps to develop innovative energy solutions and enhance environmental sustainability.
Notably, the patent titled “Recycling Method and System for Solar Panels” developed by Sakarya University faculty is an important innovation aimed at reducing the environmental impact of renewable energy systems. This patent enables the recycling of solar panels at the end of their life cycle, thus reducing waste and contributing to the more effective use of renewable energy sources.
Sakarya University actively supports start-ups that promote a low-carbon economy and technology through its TEKNOKENT. This innovation hub is home to 20 companies specializing in the energy and environmental sectors. These companies focus on developing clean energy solutions and enhancing energy efficiency while collaborating with the university on groundbreaking projects. TEKNOKENT fosters a strong partnership between industry and academia, significantly contributing to the advancement of low-carbon technologies. This vibrant ecosystem not only encourages innovation but also helps implement sustainable practices effectively within the local community and industry, paving the way for a greener future.
Furthermore, Sakarya University is implementing the "100% Hydrogen-Fueled Boiler Project" as part of TÜBİTAK's TEYDEB 1505 University-Industry Collaboration Program. This project aims to develop a boiler prototype powered by hydrogen that provides energy efficiency and aligns with the zero-emission goal. In doing so, it promotes the use of hydrogen as an alternative to fossil fuels, facilitating the widespread adoption of low-carbon energy systems.
These initiatives clearly demonstrate Sakarya University’s commitment to supporting low carbon innovation. By leveraging its academic research and industry partnerships, the university aims to enhance environmental sustainability at both local and national levels.
Information about several start-ups operating in the fields of carbon reduction, clean energy, and climate change within Sakarya University TEKNOKENT is provided in the attached table.
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