About Us
Mission: To conduct pioneering, advanced scientific research in the fields of energy science and technologies, and to teach and generate new scientific technologies through this research in collaboration with industry and non-governmental organizations.
Vision: To become a leading research, application, and education center in the field of energy science and technologies.
Objectives and Background: In parallel with advancing technology, energy demand has reached peak levels due to rapid industrialization and population growth. Awareness regarding the energy crisis has directed researchers toward the pursuit of new solutions and the application of modern technologies. It is estimated that fossil fuels—the conventional energy sources that currently meet the majority of energy demand, particularly petroleum—will be depleted within the next 200–300 years. To provide solutions to this issue, numerous R&D and P&D (Product Development) projects must be conducted for both conventional and alternative energy sources.
Renewable energy plays an essential role in reducing external dependency by meeting countries’ energy needs through domestic resources, securing sustainable energy use through resource diversification, and minimizing environmental damage caused by energy consumption. Today, approximately 20 percent of global energy consumption is derived from renewable sources. Although dependency on fossil fuels remains high, the share of renewable energy is steadily increasing over the years.
Keeping pace with global trends in recent years, Turkey has also made significant progress in renewable energy. By the end of 2016, Turkey’s total installed capacity in renewable energy was calculated at approximately 35 GW, with renewable sources meeting 35 percent of total electricity generation. Hydraulic energy constitutes the vast majority of this installed capacity. Although the shares of sources classified as modern renewable energy types—such as wind and solar—have increased over the years, they have not yet reached satisfactory levels.
In this context, the planned Energy Technologies Application and Research Center aims to:
- Conduct pioneering scientific research in energy and related disciplines,
- Execute R&D and P&D projects supported by the energy industry,
- Educate individuals with high-level academic training through high-quality instruction, and
- Serve as a guide by developing ideas, recommendations, and solutions for relevant issues.
The Energy Technologies Application and Research Center is planned to consist of four distinct divisions, each headed by an expert in the field:
- Renewable Energy
- Nuclear Research
- Energy Planning and Management
- Conventional Energy
In this regard, both academic and sectoral projects should be produced, and working groups established.
Main Objectives of the Center:
- Conducting applied research and developing new technologies in energy science and technologies; in this framework:
- Researching, implementing, contributing to, and promoting methods, processes, and technologies aimed at producing eco-friendly, clean energy using alternative and renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass;
- Conducting, commissioning, and applying research and development (R&D) activities focused on improving efficiency in the use of conventional energy sources (such as coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear) and eliminating or mitigating the potential adverse environmental impacts of facilities generating power from these sources;
- Assessing energy usage performance in industry, manufacturing, and buildings, and developing advanced materials, methods, and technologies aimed at ensuring efficient energy use and reducing energy losses;
- Conducting coordinated, interdisciplinary project efforts that bring together diverse fields of science and technology to produce advanced products, methods, processes, and technologies by carrying out applied basic science, engineering, and architectural research;
- Training expert academic personnel in energy technologies and devising solutions for energy-related challenges;
- Fostering cooperation with industry, universities, and other research institutions to advance energy technology, engaging in regional, national, and international activities to guide and execute models, strategies, plans, and projects;
- Contributing to Turkey’s energy technology R&D efforts through infrastructure, projects, and qualified human capital;
- Facilitating the transfer of developed technologies and findings to end-users and practitioners;
- Identifying regional and national renewable energy potential, acting as an educational and scientific unit for research, development, and application to promote energy generation from these systems and technologies.
About Istanbul Gedik University:
Established in 2011 by the Gedik Education and Social Aid Foundation under Law No. 2547, Istanbul Gedik University hosts four faculties: the Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Fine Arts and Architecture, Faculty of Sports Sciences, and Faculty of Economics, Administrative, and Social Sciences. The university also encompasses the Gedik Vocational School with 24 programs, the School of Foreign Languages, Graduate Schools of Natural and Applied Sciences, Health Sciences, and Social Sciences, as well as multiple research and application centers—including Lifelong Education, European Union, Robotics Technologies, Asian Studies, Sports Sciences, Underwater Technologies, Human Rights, Women’s Entrepreneurship, Gender Studies, Welding Technology, and Architecture, Urbanism, and Design.
Because Istanbul Gedik University operates under the foundation established by Gedik Holding, it benefits directly from the 53 years of industrial experience of Gedik Kaynak A.Ş. The center prioritizes university-industry collaboration projects centered on practical applications, commercial products, and patents. The laboratory and testing facilities within the center will serve multiple fields, departments, and external research projects when needed, creating an accessible, direct “energy R&D and technical service interface” for the industry. Supported by the Gedik Education Foundation (GEV), the center will utilize its academic and technical staff in both theoretical and practical endeavors.
The Istanbul Gedik University Energy Technologies Application and Research Center will serve as a premier hub for research, application, and education—carrying out pioneering scientific research in energy sciences and technologies to educate and produce new technologies in partnership with industry and civil society organizations.
Contact: enerji.uam@gedik.edu.tr