Our University, which has pioneered leading projects in the field of energy efficiency and achieved many national and international successes in this area, has been deemed worthy of an award with its UNIKOP Energy House Project (Green Energy House). The project received the award under the Emirates Energy Awards during the 2025 World Green Economy Summit held in Dubai. The event was organized under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, and hosted by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy. Our University received the award in the category of “Applied Research and Product Development.”
In 2024, our University achieved first place in the Inter-University Energy Efficiency Competition (ÜNVER-2), organized in partnership with the Turkish Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources and the Council of Higher Education (YÖK). With the UNIKOP Energy House Project (Green Energy House), supported by the Turkish Ministry of Industry and Technology’s Konya Plain Project (KOP) Regional Development Administration and led by our Faculty of Engineering member Prof. Dr. Yüksel Kaplan, our University represented Türkiye at the organization.
The Award Was Presented to Our Rector Uslu at the Ceremony in Dubai
The award ceremony was held at the Dubai World Trade Centre during the 2025 World Green Economy Summit, hosted by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy. The event was attended by UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Minister of Energy Suhail bin Mohamed Al Mazroui, and UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment Amna Al Dahak Al Shamsi. Our University was represented by our Rector, Prof. Dr. Hasan Uslu, and the Director of the Prof. Dr. T. Nejat Veziroglu Clean Energy Application and Research Center, Prof. Dr. Bora Timurkutluk. The award, which our University won in the "Applied Research and Product Development" category, was presented to our Rector Uslu.
NOHU is the First and Only Turkish University to Represent and Win an Award at the Event
Our University became the first Turkish university to participate in and win an award at this event organized by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy. Competing among higher education institutions worldwide, our University received recognition in the field of “Energy and Capacity Building With this award, which is an international certificate of achievement given for "practices that provide measurable behavioral change through education and awareness methods for energy saving and demand reduction measures," our University added another success to its achievements in the field of sustainable and eco-friendly campus and energy studies, proving its competence once again on an international scale.
Success Achieved with the Pioneering Green Energy House Project in Türkiye
Many significant breakthroughs have been made in energy savings and renewable energy studies at our University over the last four years. The Green Energy House Project was one of these important initiatives. The Green Energy House, built on our University's main campus, which holds the title of "The Only State University Specializing in Hydrogen and Fuel Cells," has approximately 250 m² of indoor and 1750 m² of outdoor space. Thanks to the solar panels, batteries, fuel cells, and electrolyzer subsystems it contains, the structure can provide 20 kW of uninterrupted electricity independently from the grid. Furthermore, the PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) electrolyzer and solid oxide fuel cell systems used in the project were entirely developed by our University’s Prof. Dr. T. Nejat Veziroğlu Clean Energy Application and Research Center. Additionally, the heating and cooling load of the building was minimized by using phase-changing materials also produced within our University.
The Green Energy House can generate renewable energy continuously and reliably, independent of weather or seasonal conditions. . Thus, considering the current cost of electricity, it provides annual savings of approximately 700,000 TL. With a budget of 3 million 350 thousand TL, the project is expected to pay for itself in less than five years.
The Green Energy House stands out as an exemplary model not only for its energy efficiency but also for its contribution to Turkey's clean and sustainable energy vision.
Other Key Achievements in Energy Efficiency
Many other important applications in the field of energy efficiency have been implemented at our University. In this context, pipes and ducts for heating and cooling systems were renewed to prevent energy loss, and boilers in buildings were replaced with condensing systems. Throughout the campus, street luminaires were replaced with LED luminaires, and sensors were installed on lamps to prevent unnecessary energy consumption. In the Turkish Music State Conservatory building, savings were maximized by implementing push-button and timer automation for corridor lighting.
Significant studies in the field of energy efficiency and sustainability were carried out at our University in 2025. As part of these studies, a Solar Power Plant with a total capacity of 471.900 KWP, consisting of 858 panels of 550 WP with an annual energy production capacity of 1,284,511 KWP, was installed on a 6,607.23 m² area at our Faculty of Sports Sciences Campus. This energy will cover approximately 21.5% of our University’s total consumption. The plant, which cost 11,372,774.20 TL, will pay for its cost within two years by providing approximately 500,000 TL in monthly savings according to current calculations, and will further highlight our University in energy efficiency thanks to renewable energy.
"We Are Reaping the Rewards of Our Strategic and Pioneering Work in Energy Efficiency"
In a statement on the subject, our Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Uslu emphasized that they have been reaping the fruits of their strategic and pioneering efforts in energy efficiency over the last four years by achieving successes at national and international levels. He added: “In addition to being the only public university specializing in hydrogen and fuel cells, our University also plays a leading role in renewable energy, solar energy studies, energy efficiency, and sustainability.”
"We Had the Honor of Being the Only Turkish University to Represent Our Country for the First Time and Receive an Award at This Prestigious Organization"
Our Rector stated that their University had the honor of being the only Turkish university to represent their country for the first time and receive an award at this prestigious organization, which is held every two years. "Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University is a national brand value in hydrogen technologies and energy efficiency, as it is in many other fields. The success we achieved at this prestigious organization in Dubai is the most important proof of this," he said.
In his statements, Rector Uslu emphasized that our University would maintain its pioneering position in many fields, primarily in its prioritized areas of agriculture-food, renewable energy, and nanotechnology. He concluded by stating that, based on its regionally development-focused approach, NOHU would resolutely continue to elevate Niğde and its region in every field.Finally, he expressed that, based on its regionally development-focused approach, NOHU would resolutely continue to elevate Niğde and its region in every field.