Atatürk University | SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy | Indicator 7.4.4
Reporting Year: 2025
Atatürk University contributes to the development of clean energy and energy-efficiency policies through scientific research, cooperation with public authorities, evidence-based technical analysis and institutional knowledge transfer.
The University supports the public sector’s capacity to address energy-related challenges by generating research relevant to public building energy management, renewable energy planning, energy consumption forecasting and sustainable infrastructure.
A particularly important institutional mechanism is the University’s formal cooperation agreement with the Erzurum Governorship, which explicitly includes environment and energy among its areas of collaboration.
In 2025, Atatürk University also produced research using real electricity consumption data from government buildings in Erzurum, providing a technical evidence base directly relevant to public-sector energy management and policy development.
These activities are aligned with Türkiye’s Energy Efficiency 2030 Strategy and Second National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (2024–2030).
1. Institutional Commitment to Supporting Government Energy Policies
1.1. University as a Scientific and Technical Partner
Atatürk University recognises the role of higher education institutions in supporting public authorities through research, expertise and institutional cooperation.
Its relevant contributions include:
- Research on public-sector electricity consumption.
- Renewable energy resource assessment.
- Energy demand forecasting.
- Sustainable building technologies.
- Technical analysis of energy-efficient systems.
- Environmental and climate-related research.
- Collaboration with governmental institutions.
- Dissemination of scientific findings relevant to public policy.
These activities support evidence-based decision-making and strengthen the knowledge available to government agencies.
1.2. Institutional Sustainability Communication
The University’s Sustainable Development Goals portal provides a public platform for presenting institutional contributions to energy efficiency, clean energy and sustainability.
Through this platform, the University communicates its sustainability priorities and relevant research and project activities.
Evidence: Atatürk University – SDG Portal
2. Formal Government Partnership: Erzurum Governorship
2.1. Strategic Cooperation Protocol
On 13 December 2024, Atatürk University and the Erzurum Governorship signed a formal cooperation protocol covering local, national and international grant-supported projects.
The agreement established a framework for:
- Strategic cooperation.
- Institutional coordination.
- Sharing scientific knowledge and practical experience.
- Joint project preparation.
- Project planning and implementation.
- Evaluation and dissemination of project outcomes.
- Public awareness activities.
Importantly, the protocol explicitly identifies environment and energy as priority areas for cooperation.
The agreement therefore establishes an institutional channel through which academic expertise can contribute to government-led environmental and energy initiatives.
Official evidence:
Erzurum Governorship – Cooperation Protocol with Atatürk University
Atatürk University – Official Protocol Announcement
2.2. Relevance to Clean Energy Policy Development
The protocol provides a framework for cooperation in:
- Regional energy and environmental projects.
- Renewable energy applications.
- Climate-related development initiatives.
- Energy and water resource efficiency.
- Sustainable agricultural infrastructure.
- Research-informed regional planning.
- Public awareness and stakeholder engagement.
Although signed in 2024, the protocol establishes a cooperation mechanism relevant to the 2025 reporting period.
Specific policy recommendations or projects completed under the agreement during 2025 should be documented separately.
3. Government-Linked Climate and Renewable Energy Project Development
3.1. Climate Adaptation and Renewable Energy Initiative
The Erzurum Governorship’s official announcement also describes a proposed European Union-supported project titled:
“İklime Uyumla Azap’tan Berekete” (From Climate Adaptation to Prosperity in Azap).
The project was prepared under the EU–Türkiye Climate Change Grant Programme.
Atatürk University was identified as a prospective co-applicant, conditional upon project approval.
The proposal brought together government institutions and scientific expertise to address local climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, water management and renewable energy.
3.2. Clean Energy and Resource-Efficiency Components
The proposed activities included:
- Solar-powered water transfer systems.
- Renewable energy integration into irrigation.
- Water-efficient agricultural infrastructure.
- Low-carbon agricultural practices.
- Climate adaptation education.
- Technical demonstrations.
- Stakeholder engagement.
These proposed measures illustrate how the University’s cooperation with government institutions can support practical clean energy and resource-efficiency policies.
3.3. Government Stakeholders
The project framework identified potential cooperation involving:
- Erzurum Governorship.
- Atatürk University.
- Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry.
- State Hydraulic Works, 8th Regional Directorate.
- Regional meteorological authorities.
This illustrates a multidisciplinary model for addressing energy, water and climate-related policy challenges.
Evidence: Erzurum Governorship – Cooperation and Climate Adaptation Project
Reporting clarification: The official announcement describes the project as a proposal and the University’s participation as conditional on approval. It does not establish that the project was funded or implemented during 2025.
4. Evidence-Based Research for Public Building Energy Management in 2025
4.1. Machine Learning Approaches for Energy Management in Public Buildings
A particularly relevant contribution during the reporting year was the 2025 academic study:
“Kamu Binalarında Enerji Yönetimi için Makine Öğrenmesi Yaklaşımları”
Machine Learning Approaches for Energy Management in Public Buildings
Authors: V. Arslantürk and B. T. Şirin
Publication: Black Sea Journal of Engineering and Science, Volume 8, Issue 5, pp. 1415–1428, 2025.
DOI: 10.34248/bsengineering.1700159
The research analysed annual electricity consumption data from three district governorate buildings in Erzurum.
This is directly relevant to the indicator because the research concerns the energy performance of government-operated buildings, rather than university facilities alone.
4.2. Technical Methods
The study evaluated multiple machine learning approaches:
- Long Short-Term Memory networks (LSTM).
- K-Nearest Neighbours (KNN).
- Gradient Boosted Decision Trees (GBDT).
- Random Forest (RF).
- Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost).
The researchers compared model performance using:
- Root Mean Square Error (RMSE).
- Mean Absolute Error (MAE).
- Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE).
The analysis investigated the potential of predictive models to support more accurate electricity demand forecasting in public buildings.
4.3. Implications for Government Policy
The findings are relevant to government energy policy in several ways.
Energy demand planning: More accurate forecasting can support public institutions in understanding future electricity requirements.
Budget management: Electricity consumption estimates can inform public expenditure planning.
Energy efficiency: Predictive models can help identify opportunities for improved building energy management.
Digitalisation: Data-driven tools can support the modernisation of public-sector energy monitoring.
Policy development: The study provides a methodological example that may inform energy management approaches in other public buildings.
The authors explicitly identify the relevance of the findings to developing and implementing energy management policies for public buildings.
4.4. Significance for Indicator 7.4.4
This study is especially valuable because it combines:
- An identifiable government building context.
- Real public-sector electricity consumption data.
- Scientific analysis.
- Methods relevant to energy-efficient management.
- Findings with potential policy applications.
It demonstrates the University’s production of policy-relevant evidence for public-sector energy management in 2025.
However, publication of the study does not independently establish that a government authority formally adopted its recommendations.
5. Supporting Regional Renewable Energy Planning
5.1. Renewable Energy Approach in Erzurum Province
Atatürk University-affiliated researchers have also contributed to research concerning renewable energy planning in Erzurum.
The study “Renewable Energy Approach in Energy Planning of Erzurum Province” was presented at the 1st International 100% Renewable Energy Conference, held on 17–19 April 2024.
The research addresses the role of renewable energy in regional energy planning.
Its relevance to public policy includes:
- Regional renewable energy opportunities.
- Evidence for sustainable energy planning.
- Discussion of clean energy transitions.
- Technical foundations for regional decision-making.
- Potential contributions to future municipal and provincial energy strategies.
Although published before the 2025 reporting year, the study forms part of the University’s established scientific contribution to the region’s energy planning knowledge base.
Evidence: Renewable Energy Approach in Energy Planning of Erzurum Province
6. Alignment with Türkiye’s National Energy Efficiency Strategy
6.1. Second National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (2024–2030)
Atatürk University’s policy-relevant research and public-sector cooperation are aligned with the priorities of Türkiye’s Energy Efficiency 2030 Strategy and Second National Energy Efficiency Action Plan.
The national plan covers 2024–2030 and includes:
- 7 thematic areas.
- 61 actions.
- 266 activities.
- USD 20.2 billion in planned energy efficiency investment.
- 37.1 million tonnes of oil equivalent in targeted cumulative primary energy savings.
- An estimated 16% reduction in primary energy consumption over the planning period.
- An estimated 100 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions reduction.
These figures are national policy targets, not energy savings or emissions reductions achieved by Atatürk University.
Official evidence: Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources – National Energy Efficiency Action Plan
6.2. Policy Areas Relevant to University Expertise
The national plan includes policy areas where the University has relevant research capacity:
| National Policy Area | Relevant University Contribution |
|---|---|
| Public buildings | Electricity demand modelling and building energy research |
| Energy systems | Renewable energy planning and technical analysis |
| Digitalisation | Machine learning and data-driven energy management |
| Industry and technology | Advanced materials research and technology development |
| Agriculture | Renewable energy and resource-efficient agricultural systems |
| Cross-sector cooperation | Government–university project development |
The University’s activities provide a technical knowledge base that can contribute to implementation and future policy discussions.
6.3. Public Building Energy Efficiency
The national strategy also emphasises improvements in public building energy performance.
Atatürk University’s 2025 research involving three district governorate buildings is particularly relevant to this priority.
The study offers a practical example of how digital technologies can contribute to more informed public building energy management.
Evidence: Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources – Energy Efficiency Strategy
7. Supporting Public-Sector Energy Efficiency Through Applied Research
7.1. Building Energy Performance Research
Atatürk University conducts research relevant to improving the energy performance of buildings.
Areas of expertise include:
- Building energy simulation.
- Energy consumption forecasting.
- Thermal performance.
- Building envelope improvements.
- Heating and cooling efficiency.
- Energy-efficient retrofitting.
- Multi-criteria evaluation of improvement alternatives.
These research areas can support government agencies responsible for public buildings and infrastructure.
7.2. Building Retrofit Decision Support
University research has investigated the use of integrated optimisation and decision-support approaches to assess building energy retrofit options.
Such approaches are relevant to government policy because public institutions must often prioritise investments among competing energy-efficiency interventions.
Technical decision-support methods can help compare:
- Expected energy savings.
- Investment costs.
- Building performance.
- Environmental outcomes.
- Implementation feasibility.
Evidence: Atatürk University – Research on Energy-Efficient Building Retrofitting
The research supports policy-relevant technical knowledge. Evidence of a formal government commission or policy adoption would be required to establish direct policy implementation.
8. Technical Support for Government Energy Policy Implementation
The University’s expertise can contribute to the implementation of energy efficiency and clean energy policies at local, regional and national levels.
Potential technical support includes:
8.1. Public Building Energy Assessments
- Evaluation of electricity consumption.
- Identification of energy-intensive systems.
- Energy demand forecasting.
- Assessment of building retrofit alternatives.
- Analysis of operational efficiency.
8.2. Renewable Energy Feasibility
- Solar photovoltaic feasibility studies.
- Renewable energy resource assessment.
- Energy storage options.
- Renewable energy integration into public facilities.
- Technical and economic comparison of alternatives.
8.3. Data-Driven Policy Support
- Development of energy performance indicators.
- Digital energy monitoring.
- Forecasting models.
- Evaluation of energy efficiency measures.
- Preparation of technical evidence for public decisions.
8.4. Capacity Building
- Technical seminars.
- Training programmes.
- Workshops.
- Knowledge exchange with public-sector personnel.
- Dissemination of research findings.
These represent areas in which the University’s expertise may be applied. They should not be interpreted as confirmation that every listed service was commissioned by government bodies during 2025.
9. University–Government Policy Development Framework
Atatürk University’s existing cooperation mechanisms provide a foundation for structured contributions to public energy policy.
A policy support framework can include the following stages:
| Stage | University Contribution | Potential Government Application |
|---|---|---|
| Problem identification | Research and technical analysis | Identify energy-related policy challenges |
| Evidence collection | Consumption data analysis and modelling | Establish an evidence base |
| Policy development | Technical recommendations | Evaluate alternative interventions |
| Implementation support | Research cooperation and specialist expertise | Support clean energy and efficiency measures |
| Capacity building | Workshops and training | Improve public-sector technical knowledge |
| Monitoring | Energy performance indicators | Evaluate policy outcomes |
| Dissemination | Scientific publications and public communication | Share lessons and best practices |
This framework describes how university expertise can support public institutions; it is not a claim that all stages were completed in 2025.
10. Evidence of Institutional Cooperation and Policy-Relevant Research
| Evidence | Year | Contribution to Indicator 7.4.4 |
|---|---|---|
| Erzurum Governorship–Atatürk University Cooperation Protocol | 2024 | Formal cooperation framework explicitly including environment and energy |
| University Announcement of Government Cooperation | 2024 | Institutional commitment to cooperation and knowledge sharing |
| Climate Adaptation and Renewable Energy Project Proposal | 2024 proposal | Proposed cooperation on solar-powered irrigation and climate resilience |
| Machine Learning Approaches for Energy Management in Public Buildings | 2025 | Energy management research using data from three government buildings |
| Renewable Energy Approach in Energy Planning of Erzurum Province | 2024 | Regional renewable energy planning research |
| Research on Energy-Efficient Building Retrofitting | Research record | Technical approaches relevant to public building policy |
| National Energy Efficiency Action Plan | 2024–2030 | National policy framework with which university expertise aligns |
| Atatürk University SDG Portal | Institutional | Public communication of sustainability priorities |
11. Contribution to SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy
Atatürk University contributes to clean energy and energy-efficiency policy development by combining government cooperation, scientific research, technical expertise and evidence-based analysis.
The University’s formal agreement with the Erzurum Governorship provides an institutional framework for joint projects in environment, energy and sustainable development.
Its research on regional renewable energy planning contributes scientific knowledge relevant to local and provincial energy strategies.
In 2025, the University’s study of electricity consumption in three district governorate buildings in Erzurum provided a particularly relevant example of research designed to support more effective energy management in public institutions.
These activities are consistent with the priorities of Türkiye’s Second National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (2024–2030), particularly public building efficiency, energy management and digitalisation.
By making scientific expertise available for public-sector decision-making and maintaining institutional channels for cooperation, Atatürk University contributes to SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy, Indicator 7.4.4: Informing and Supporting Government in Clean Energy and Energy-Efficient Technology Policy Development.
