'Sustainable energy' ideas from students

Izmir University of Economics (IUE) organized a workshop on biohydrogen, which is used in many fields from industry to transportation and stands out with its environmentalist feature because it does not cause carbon emissions. In the workshop, in which university and high school students as well as academics from different universities took part, a discussion was held on hydrogen production methods in 4 groups.

70 people who attended the event focused on how to get hydrogen, which is used in areas of increasing importance, such as generating electricity and obtaining alternative fuels for vehicles, from natural sources. Discussing ideas on energy production from water via organic and inorganic ways, the teams also explored the advantages and disadvantages of different hydrogen production technologies. Ideas created together by students and academics were also presented at the workshop held in English. At the end of the workshop, participants were given certificates. Asst. Prof. Dr. Mine Güngörmüşler, from Department of IUE Genetics and Bioengineering, coordinated the workshop supported by TUBITAK. IUE graduate program scholars İlayda Akaçin and Şeymanur Ersoy, Assoc. Prof Dr. Osman Doluca from IUE, Assoc. Prof Dr. Tuğba Keskin Gündoğdu from Izmir Demokrasi University, and international participant Dr. Haris Nalakath Abubackar also took part in the organization team of the workshop.

EMPHASIS ON ‘GREEN CONSENSUS’

Asst. Prof. Dr. Mine Güngörmüşler, from IUE Department of IUE Genetics and Bioengineering, stated that the workshop was very useful in terms of directing young people to scientific studies and raising awareness about biohydrogen. Pointing out that biohydrogen is a clean and carbon-free fuel, Güngörmüşler also stated that it is of great importance in the studies to be carried out within the scope of the 'Green Consensus'.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Güngörmüşler said, “The ‘Carbon Border Tax’ will begin as of 2026 within the scope of the 'Green Consensus' created by the European Union with an understanding based on environmentally friendly and sustainable production against the climate crisis. This decision affects all companies exporting in our country. In addition, all countries have serious targets to take decisive environmental steps until 2030. We should also focus on studies focusing on these issues and produce projects where the potential in our country will be used effectively. We held the workshop based on this idea, to raise awareness.”

WIDE RANGE OF APPLICATION

Asst. Prof. Dr. Güngörmüşler continued as follows: “Hydrogen has a wide range of applications, from transportation to electricity generation. What we call biohydrogen is hydrogen produced from natural sources. A short time ago, we examined the bacteria in 5 thermal springs in Izmir and determined their potential to produce biohydrogen. We added a workshop to the projects we carry out in this field, with the same support, TUBITAK. Groups of high school, undergraduate and graduate students developed very successful ideas. They addressed many subjects such as 'Hydrogen production from water by electrolysis method', 'Hydrogen production from water by biophotolysis method with energy obtained from the sun', 'Hydrogen production from organic and inorganic sources by biotechnological means'. I would like to congratulate all the participants."