Introduction | Sustainable Energy Systems Application and Research Center

Renewable energy holds a critically important position in terms of meeting countries’ energy needs through domestic resources, reducing external dependency, diversifying energy sources to ensure sustainable energy use and minimizing environmental damage resulting from energy consumption. Today, approximately 20% of the energy consumed worldwide is generated from renewable sources. Although dependence on fossil fuels remains high at present, the share of renewable energy has been steadily increasing over the years.

In recent years, Türkiye has also made significant progress in the field of renewable energy by keeping pace with global trends. As of the end of 2019, Türkiye’s total installed renewable energy capacity was estimated at approximately 90,720 MW, while 32% of total electricity generation was supplied from renewable sources. The majority of this installed capacity consists of hydropower. Although the shares of modern renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power have increased over time, they have not yet reached satisfactory levels.

In parallel with technological advancements, energy demand has reached unprecedented levels due to industrialization and rapid population growth. Growing awareness of the energy crisis has directed researchers toward the search for new solutions and the development of innovative technologies. It is estimated that fossil fuels, particularly oil, which currently supply a large portion of global energy demand, will be depleted within the next 200–300 years. In order to address this challenge, extensive R&D and product development (R&D/PD) projects related to both conventional and alternative energy sources are required.

Within this framework, the Sustainable Energy Technologies Research and Application Center has been established with the following objectives:

To conduct scientific research on sustainable energy systems,
To carry out pioneering scientific studies in the field of energy and related disciplines,
To implement R&D and product development projects supported by the energy sector,
To provide high-quality education and training and cultivate individuals with advanced academic qualifications,
To serve as a guiding institution by generating ideas, recommendations, and solutions in relevant fields.

The Main Objectives of the Center

To conduct application-oriented research and develop new technologies in the fields of energy science and technologies.

To carry out research on the development of methods, processes and technologies for environmentally friendly clean energy production using alternative/renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, geothermal and biomass; to transfer these studies into practice; to contribute to and encourage activities related to these fields.

To conduct and commission research and development (R&D) activities aimed at increasing efficiency in the use of conventional energy sources such as coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear energy and at eliminating or reducing potential environmental impacts of energy production facilities; and to develop and implement new methods, processes, and technologies in this regard.

To assess energy use performance in industry, manufacturing, and buildings, and to develop advanced materials, methods, and technologies aimed at ensuring efficient and effective energy use and minimizing energy losses.

To carry out interdisciplinary, coordinated project activities that bring together different fields of science and technology in order to develop advanced products, methods, processes, and technologies in energy technologies through application-oriented basic sciences, engineering, and architecture research.

To promote collaboration with industry, universities, and other research institutions and organizations for the advancement of energy technologies, and to engage in regional, national, and international activities related to the development and guidance of models, strategies, plans, and projects within this context.

To contribute to Türkiye’s energy technology R&D activities through infrastructure, projects, and qualified human resources.

To facilitate the transfer of developed technologies and research outcomes to end users and practitioners.

To identify the regional and national potential of renewable energy resources and, as a scientific and technological unit focused on research, development, application, and education, to promote energy production systems and technologies based on these resources.