Direct Services to Local Industry for Energy Efficiency and Clean Energy
Sakarya University provides direct services to local industry to improve energy efficiency and promote clean energy use through technical consultancy, joint research, and capacity-building programs. These initiatives are carried out under the university’s Sustainability and University–Industry Collaboration Strategy.
The CENTER SAU (National Critical Infrastructure Testbed Center), authorized by the Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EMRA), offers comprehensive testing, measurement, and consultancy services to the energy sector. It focuses on renewable energy infrastructure, smart grids, and energy storage systems, supporting local industry with applied expertise and technological innovation.
The university collaborates with Sakarya Technopark and the Faculty of Engineering to conduct energy audits, efficiency analyses, and renewable energy transformation plans for industrial facilities.
A key initiative, the TÜBİTAK TEYDEB 1505 “100% Hydrogen-Fueled Boiler Design and Prototype Production” project, supports local industry’s transition to clean, zero-emission heating technologies.
The university has also provided academic input to the Sakarya Metropolitan Municipality’s Sustainable Energy Action Plan, contributing to the formulation of citywide strategies for industrial energy efficiency.
Within Sakarya Technopark, more than 20 clean energy startups operate in collaboration with the university, developing technologies for solar panel recycling, energy storage, and green innovation.
Through participation in international research programs such as Horizon Europe FREE4LIB (recycling lithium-ion batteries) and COST Action CYPHER (green energy and safety innovation), Sakarya University facilitates knowledge transfer from global clean energy research to local industrial applications.
By integrating research, consultancy, and education, Sakarya University plays an active role in enhancing energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and accelerating the clean energy transition within the regional industrial ecosystem.
Collaboration
The university actively collaborates with local, national, and international stakeholders on sustainable energy projects.
Research and Development
The university hosts over thirty research centers and more than ten R&D laboratories in the fields of energy efficiency and clean energy.
Pioneering Centers and Student Innovation: The Research and Development Application and Research Center (SARGEM) and the Sakarya Innovation Center (SAYMER) play a pioneering role in energy efficiency and renewable energy. Furthermore, the Sakarya University Advanced Technologies Application Community (SAITEM) develops innovative energy projects and leads initiatives such as the Sakarya Solar Car (SAGUAR), Sakarya Hydrogen Vehicle (SAHIMO), and Sakarya Solar Boat (SATEK). SAITEM has achieved various national and international successes by realizing Türkiye's first solar-powered boat project. In 2023, SAITEM designed the SAGUAR-RB (REBORN), its eighth solar vehicle, which participated in the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in Australia. The SPARK Electric Vehicle Team participated in the TÜBİTAK Efficiency Challenge in 2023 and 2024.
SAITEM Team – 2024 TÜBİTAK Efficiency Challenge Competition
Energy Generation R&D
Floating Solar Energy System (FPV): The TÜBİTAK 3501 project, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ceyda Aksoy Tırmıkçı, aims to install Türkiye's first small-scale floating photovoltaic (FPV) system on an irrigation pond in Sakarya.
Hydrogen-Fueled Boiler Project (Industry Collaboration): Within the scope of the TÜBİTAK TEYDEB (Technology and Innovation Support Programs Directorate) 1505 University-Industry Cooperation Support Program, the "100% Hydrogen-Fueled Boiler Design and Prototype Production" project is being carried out in partnership with the Daikin Türkiye R&D department. This initiative, led by Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Pehlivan, aims to develop an energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and sustainable heating technology.
Energy Storage R&D
TÜBA-GEBİP Award: Prof. Dr. Çetinkaya has been honored with the TÜBA-GEBİP (Outstanding Young Scientist Award) by the Turkish Academy of Sciences (TÜBA) for his outstanding research in the field of electrochemical energy storage. This prestigious national award, presented annually to Türkiye’s leading young scientists, was conferred by the President of the Republic of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in 2024.
Prof. Dr. Çetinkaya, TÜBA-GEBİP Award Ceremony, 2024.
TÜBİTAK Projects: Among the TÜBİTAK 1001 Research Projects accepted in 2024, several focus on advancing sustainable energy technologies and next-generation storage systems. These include Dr. Abdulkadir Kızılaslan’s project, which aims to develop a prototype production line for high–energy-density lithium–sulfur pouch batteries using innovative solvent–binder pairs; Dr. Hasan Algül’s research, which explores a green recycling process for lithium–ion batteries through ultrasonic, microwave, and anodic dissolution techniques; and Prof. Dr. Uğur Arifoğlu’s project, which focuses on the design of a bidirectional, next-generation active battery management system to enhance energy efficiency and safety.
2024 Patent Achievements: The university's innovation power in energy storage was also proven by patents and awards received in 2024. The patent titled "Multi-Feed Lithium-Air Flow Battery Assembly" by Prof. Dr. Tuğrul Çetinkaya from the Research and Development Application and Research Center received a bronze medal at the 9th International Invention Fair (ISIF’24) in November 2024. Additionally, an international patent application (PCT/TR2024/051206) titled “Active Battery Management System fed from a Modified T-type Two-Way Converter” was filed on 18 October 2024 by Prof. Dr. Uğur Arifoğlu and Ümit Pekparlak on behalf of the Rectorate.
The invention titled “Active Battery Management System Fed from a Modified T-Type Two-Way Converter”, developed by Prof. Dr. Uğur Arifoğlu, a faculty member of the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Sakarya University, and doctoral student Ümit Pekparlak, has been published in the Official Patent Bulletin.
Horizon Europe Project (FREE4LIB): Sakarya University is a partner in the FREE4LIB project, which is supported by the European Union Horizon Europe program with a budget of €9,283,175. The project, (also related to the "Spent LIB2SIB" project under the M-ERA.NET 2024 call), aims to develop sustainable processes at TRL 5-6 for recycling end-of-life lithium-ion batteries. Represented by Dr. Hasan Algül on behalf of the university, the project aims to contribute to the EU's circular economy goals by targeting the efficient recovery of metal oxides and metals.
CENTER SAU
Sakarya University hosts a critical national center that provides direct services to the energy sector.
Facility: National Critical Infrastructures Test Bed Center (CENTER SAU).
Competence: The center is the sole authorized institution in Türkiye, designated by the Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EMRA), for the competence assessment, training, and certification of personnel from companies conducting energy sector audits under the Cyber Security Competence Model Regulation in the Energy Sector.
Service: This center provides direct training and certification services to the private and public sectors in the fields of energy infrastructure security and efficiency (energy efficiency assessments, workshops).
Energy Efficiency Practices
The university implements its energy policy through tangible practices across the campus.
Lighting: 85% of lighting fixtures use energy-saving LED technology.
Appliances: 90% of durable consumer goods (A+, A++, A+++) consist of energy-efficient devices.
Water Efficiency: In the area of water efficiency, which is directly related to energy conservation, the usage rate of water-efficient devices (aerated faucets, etc.) across the campus reached an average of 91% by the end of 2024.
