Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Engineering’s Serdar Celik, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, held the third Ilgaz Energy Symposium on Monday, May 20 at historic Istanbul University in Turkey.
More than 60 energy professionals from academia, public institutes, the private sector, nonprofit entities and media attended the one-day event.
Celik, a native of Turkey, started the symposium with an opening address, and the event continued with keynote speakers and two panels. The morning session focused on energy efficiency followed by renewable energy technologies in the afternoon.
Renewable experts were from the fields of solar, wind, geothermal and biomass. The event concluded with a networking and brainstorming session, during which ideas on new technologies and pilot projects were exchanged.
“The symposium has been expanding and yielding a broader impact since we started in 2017,” Celik said. “The outcome was beyond my expectations. I have heard from several energy professionals that they are looking forward to the fourth symposium next year.
“With all the support from both the academia and private energy sector, and the experience we’ve had, we will keep improving the impact of these symposia. Just as in the previous two years, this year's symposium had an external sponsor, Aksa Natural Gas.”
The symposium drew national and regional news coverage in Turkey, raising awareness of SIUE and its School of Engineering.
Celik introduced the symposium in May 2017 at the urging of Turkey energy professionals, with a focus on energy efficiency, renewable energy and energy politics.
Photo: SIUE’s Serdar Celik, associate professor in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, presents opening remarks during an Energy Symposium in Turkey.