Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

During the program organized in collaboration with TESAB, TÜBİTAK MAM, and TOBB ETÜ, 15 innovative projects were introduced.

Hisarcıklıoğlu commented on the program, stating, “We visited the TOBB ETÜ Technology Center, where TOBB ETÜ Hydro is based, and examined the first quantum computer in Türkiye, QuanT, which we developed, bringing together six different engineering disciplines. As TOBB ETÜ Hydro, our goal is to enable faster prototyping, better design validation, and higher performance at lower costs for the industry in the development of domestic turbines and equipment. The container-type HES solution developed and refined by TOBB ETÜ Hydro enables electricity generation from unused energy in drinking water and irrigation lines. We have made this available to two municipalities so far,” he said.

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu, in his speech at the event, pointed out that energy is the key to development, stating, “It is a strategic element that pumps blood into the veins of the economy, turns the wheels of industry, and brings prosperity to households. While the world is under pressure from supply security, carbon neutrality targets, and digitalization, the three pillars that will make Türkiye’s competitiveness sustainable are clear: energy supply security, domestic technology, and high efficiency. Hydropower is at the very center of this trio.”

- Renewable energy is not just an alternative

Hisarcıklıoğlu thanked Minister Bayraktar for his support to the private sector in all areas of energy, saying: “Renewable energy is no longer just an alternative, it is the new mainstream. Along with wind and solar energy, hydro energy is the insurance of this system. As TOBB ETÜ, we have also focused on contributing to the sector and our country in this regard. With the support provided by our Vice President, Mr. Cevdet Yılmaz, during his tenure at the Ministry of Development, and with the contributions of TEMSAN, TOBB ETÜ Hydro, with a capacity of 2.5 MW, has become operational as the world’s largest water turbine design and testing center. Our TOBB ETÜ Hydro Water Turbine Design and Testing Center provides the critical infrastructure our country needs through a university-industry collaboration approach. Essentially, TOBB ETÜ Hydro has created an ecosystem here with public support. As a result, tests and designs that were previously conducted abroad can now be carried out in our country. As TOBB ETÜ Hydro, our goal is to enable faster prototyping, better design validation, and higher performance at lower costs for the industry in the development of domestic turbines and equipment. The container-type HES solution developed and refined by TOBB ETÜ Hydro enables electricity generation from unused energy in drinking water and irrigation lines.

- Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar stated that Türkiye has achieved a major revolution in renewable energy over the past 23 years, with hydroelectric power plants (HES) forming the first part of this revolution.

Speaking at the “Innovative Projects in Hydroelectricity Day” program held at the TOBB Economics and Technology University (TOBB ETÜ) Hydro Turbine Design and Test Center, Bayraktar said that most hydroelectric investments were carried out by the private sector.

Pointing out that Türkiye’s electricity demand will triple in the next 30 years, Bayraktar said that the trend in the sector is electrification, with electrification occurring in every area from buildings to agriculture, industry, and transportation.

Bayraktar stated that another revolution in renewable energy is currently taking place and continued his remarks as follows:

Türkiye has achieved a major revolution in renewable energy over the past 23 years. Hydroelectric power plants constitute the first part of this revolution. Türkiye has increased its installed capacity in hydroelectric power plants from 12,000 megawatts to 32,000 megawatts. We are currently experiencing a revolution in solar and wind energy. We have reached a capacity of 37,000 megawatts from almost zero. Many industrial companies in Türkiye are also energy producers, and the country needs to maximize the contribution of its domestic and renewable energy sources to its economy.”

Bayraktar emphasized that Türkiye’s hydroelectric installed capacity has reached 32,000 megawatts, revealing its potential in this area to a large extent and highlighting that it has even greater potential. He stated that we have entered a period of rehabilitating existing power plants and that countries such as Central Asia and Africa are requesting hydroelectric power from Türkiye.

- TOBB ETÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Yusuf Sarınay

TOBB ETÜ Rector Prof. Dr. Yusuf Sarınay also gave a speech in which he provided information about the University’s structure and activities, stating that the joint education model they implement serves as an example for the entire country. Stating that the TOBB ETÜ family resolutely continues its work in line with the state’s “national technology initiative” policy, which aims to ensure the effective and efficient use of the country’s energy resources and reduce dependence on foreign sources, Rector Sarınay said: “Our university is not only an educational institution, but also has a strong research infrastructure that encourages scientific research and innovation. With the scientific outputs produced at our university, we are moving forward with confidence towards the goal of shaping developments in our country and around the world. We collaborate with the public and private sectors in many areas, primarily in R&D activities.”