Assistance for Start-Ups that Foster and Support a Low-Carbon Economy and Technology

Assistance for Start-Ups that Foster and Support a Low-Carbon Economy and Technology

Sakarya University operates an integrated innovation ecosystem that supports start-ups advancing low-carbon technologies and sustainable energy solutions through Sakarya Technocity, the Energy Technologies Application and Research Center, SAYMER, and SAITEM.
The university provides technical mentoring, laboratory infrastructure, testing and prototyping facilities, and funding consultancy for start-ups in renewable energy, hydrogen production, energy storage, waste-to-energy conversion, and carbon reduction technologies.

More than 20 start-ups are currently active within this ecosystem, contributing directly to Türkiye’s 2053 Net Zero Emission Vision and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 7, SDG 9, SDG 13).

Highlighted Start-Ups

1. Hydrogen Reactor (Cordel Energy): Innovative electrolysis reactor for green hydrogen generation and emission reduction.
2. FLEXIndustries (DEPAR R&D): Horizon Europe project optimizing industrial energy efficiency; saves ≥159 GWh energy and 33,000 tons CO₂ annually.
3. FREE4LIB (NESSTEC): EU project developing battery recycling technologies and the traceable “Battery Passport” model.
4. SIBER (NESSTEC): Na-ion battery development replacing critical materials and reducing costs to €30–40/kg.
5. NESSTEC Energy & Surface Technologies: Advances in surface engineering to enhance battery lifespan and durability.
6. Printed Supercapacitors & Batteries: Domestic production of Li-ion batteries for e-mobility and electronics.
7. Klina Software: AI-powered carbon data management system supporting corporate sustainability reporting.
8. Germony IoT: Smart IoT-based heating efficiency systems with AI-driven monitoring and optimization.
9. Demircioğlu Robotics: Hot composting systems converting waste to fertilizer within 24 hours, eliminating methane emissions.
10. ETA4 Energy: Solar and heat-pump-based HVAC systems for zero-emission agricultural climate control.
11. REYNOLDS Advanced Engineering: Energy-efficient industrial equipment reducing power consumption and emissions.
12. YMTM Technology: High-efficiency BLDC motors minimizing energy loss in electric transport.
13. Team-San & Öztiryakiler: TÜBİTAK-supported industrial oven design improving heat efficiency.
14. RUN Engineer: Low-energy electromagnetic filters enhancing mining efficiency.
15. Hydrogen-Fueled Boiler Project (TÜBİTAK 1505): Fully hydrogen-based heating system for zero-emission thermal energy.
16. 100% Solar Powered Agricultural Robot: TÜBİTAK BİGGFAST-supported emission-free smart agricultural robot.
17. Hydrothermal Bio-Combi System Project: Combines hydrothermal carbonization with heat recovery for renewable thermal energy.
18. Cordel Energy’s Hydrogen Systems: Academic–industrial pilot applications for green hydrogen commercialization.
19. HOT Solar Agricultural Robot Project: Fully solar-powered autonomous agricultural platform reducing operational carbon footprint.
20. FLEXIndustries Turkey Pilot (SEDAŞ & Sakarya): Implements energy storage and smart grid integration in industrial sites.

Sakarya University provides start-ups with:

• Research, testing, and prototyping infrastructure,
• Access to funding programs (TÜBİTAK, Horizon Europe, COST),
• Academic mentoring and technology transfer partnerships.

Through this dynamic ecosystem, Sakarya University drives innovation in low-carbon technology, enhances clean energy entrepreneurship, and contributes actively to Türkiye’s sustainable industrial transformation in line with the 2053 Net Zero Vision.

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.

Policy Development R&D

EV Infrastructure Law: Supported under the TÜBİTAK 1001 program, Asst. Prof. Dr. Emine Develi Ayverdi's project aims to create legal recommendations for national policy by examining the "Legal Basis of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations from a Competition Law Perspective."

Incentive Policies: The master's thesis of Kerem Aydın, a student at the Institute of Social Sciences, examined Türkiye's transition process to renewable energy and the impact of incentive policies on investments, offering recommendations for increasing investment and strengthening public awareness.

Collaboration

The university actively collaborates with local, national, and international stakeholders on sustainable energy projects.

• Local/Regional: Faculty members have supported regional strategy development by directly contributing to the preparation of the Sakarya Metropolitan Municipality's Sustainable Energy Action Plan. Furthermore, joint technical training sessions for students are organized with local infrastructure providers like SASKİ and SEDAŞ.
• National (Industry Collaboration): The university conducts active R&D collaborations with national industrial organizations. The best example of this is the "100% Hydrogen-Fueled Boiler Design and Prototype Production" project, carried out in partnership with the Daikin Türkiye R&D department under the TÜBİTAK TEYDEB (Technology and Innovation Support Programs Directorate) 1505 University-Industry Cooperation Support Program. This initiative, led by Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Pehlivan, aims to develop a sustainable heating technology in the field of clean energy (hydrogen).
• National (Academic Collaboration): Furthermore, a national-level academic collaboration was established with Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa for the "Future's Transformation: Gifted Students and Renewable Energy" project, conducted under the TÜBİTAK 3005 program.
• International: Prof. Dr. Hakan Serhad Soyhan was selected to represent Türkiye on the management committee of COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) Action CYPHER, which conducts European-wide research on green and sustainable energy production and fire safety.

Global Recognition and Impact

Sakarya University has demonstrated its strong commitment to environmental responsibility and clean energy through its outstanding performance in national and international sustainability rankings. In the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2025, the university ranked 83rd globally and 3rd in Türkiye in the category of Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), reinforcing its leadership in energy efficiency, renewable energy production, and low-carbon initiatives. Additionally, Sakarya University achieved high standings in both the UI GreenMetric 2024 and QS Sustainability 2025 rankings, reflecting its excellence in energy management, green campus practices, zero-waste policies, electric mobility systems, and clean-energy-focused R&D projects. These achievements highlight the university’s proactive role in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and promoting global awareness of sustainable energy practices.

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