4. R&D Workshop at Enerji

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Fatih Dönmez: "We are working on a new R&D Model"

Organized by ELDER and GAZBIR under the coordination of EMRA, the 4. The Energy R&D Workshop brought together representatives of the electricity and gas distribution sectors.

"EMRA 2. At the "R&D Achievement Awards" ceremony, electricity and natural gas distribution companies that have accomplished successful works were awarded.

ANKARA – Organized by the Electricity Distribution Services Association (ELDER) and the Natural Gas Distributors Association of Turkey (GAZBİR) under the coordination of EMRA, the "4. "R&D Workshop in Energy" brought together high-level representatives of the energy sector.

4. In addition to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Fatih Dönmez, the Chairman of the Industry, Trade, Energy**,** Natural Resources, Information and Technology Commission of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) Mustafa Elitaş and the Chairman of EMRA Mustafa Yılmaz; Representatives of ELDER and GAZBIR, employees of electricity and natural gas distribution companies, many representatives from universities and public institutions and organizations participated.

"4. Speaking at the opening of the "R&D Workshop in Energy", Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Fatih Dönmez reminded that they organized R&D meetings to start a new era in R&D within the Ministry. Dönmez said, "We have come to the end of the R&D approach document and on the second day of the workshop, we will present our approach document, to which everyone contributed with their opinions and thoughts, to our participants in tomorrow's sessions."

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Fatih Dönmez stated that the communication and coordination of the parties with each other is very important to ensure R&D clustering in the energy sector and said:

"The important thing here is sustainability. The embodiment of an idea can bear fruit after numerous failures. In R&D, you have to patiently and persistently conduct these experiments. In the opinions that reached us, it was stated that an R&D structure like the examples in the world would increase the acceleration in the energy sector with the current model. We examined the models in Europe and OECD countries described in the presentations. We have come to the end of our work on a model specific to Turkey. Hopefully we will share it with you soon."

Entrepreneurship Model Suggestions

Listing the model proposals for distribution companies to be more inclined towards new ideas and initiatives, Dönmez said:

"The standard entrepreneurship model will consist of four main components. Establishment of an in-house support mentor team. You can direct R&D management by creating a support team on ideas, experience and legal issues. Second, external activities. We expect distribution companies to open separate idea contests. Third, intrapreneurship ideas. Finally, to act jointly. We expect you to apply to EMRA with entrepreneurs who intend to raise their ideas to the next level and reward your good ideas."

"R&D will reduce foreign dependency on energy"

Mustafa Elitaş, Chairman of the Industry, Trade, Energy, Natural Resources, Information and Technology Commission of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, emphasized that energy constitutes one of the most basic needs of each country. Stating that a transparent and consumer-oriented system should be established in order to reduce our country's energy need and foreign dependence on energy, Elitaş said, "The weight of R&D studies in Turkey is gradually increasing. By increasing the employment and knowledge level of the sector, studies that will increase Turkey's success in the international arena gain importance. R&D on indigenization and technology development has the potential to reduce Turkey's foreign dependence on energy."

EMRA Supports R&D with 100 Million TL

Stating that EMRA attaches great importance to the formation of an R&D culture within the enterprises operating in the energy sector, EMRA President Mustafa Yılmaz said, "Our R&D support, which reaches 100 million TL annually, is an indicator of this understanding."

Yılmaz pointed out that they are proud of the 213 approved projects and 84 projects that have been concluded with more than 500 project applications on this path that was set out with 30 R&D project applications in 2014 and said, "There is also a need for new projects that will increase the quality of service and make the consumer smile more. Because R&D is a concept that always expresses research and achieving better, not stopping."

Stating that they will make arrangements regarding R&D centers, EMRA President Yılmaz continued his words as follows:

"Our support will increase. In the coming period, we will also have arrangements for R&D centers to be established by distribution companies. We also believe that with the development of our country, we can ensure that the natural gas and electricity network reaches a better network. We have received significant benefits from R&D studies to eliminate the problem of lost and leakage. Today, thanks to R&D, the problem of illegal fuel has been eliminated. In the same way, I believe that we will achieve significant success in the issue of loss and leakage."

Saldanlı: "Our R&D Activities Will Be Successful"

Ceyhan Saldanlı, Member of the Board of Directors of ELDER, stated that the products that emerged with R&D studies were used and said, "Tomorrow is determined from today with R&D. Those without R&D have no future. Moving from this point, we are working with all our strength to do R & D." Stating that they have invested in R&D with the support of EMRA, the encouragement of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Saldanlı said: "We have made significant progress in our R&D investments to increase customer satisfaction. During the current tariff period, we have allocated an amount exceeding TL 200 million of our investment amount of TL 20 billion to R&D. I have no doubt that we will be successful in our R&D activities carried out by benefiting from various grant programs."

Arslan: "R&D is needed for economic growth"

GAZBIR President Yaşar Arslan pointed out that many studies have been carried out on economic growth with R&D investment and underlined that R&D is important in the path of economic growth. Arslan said, "In line with the 2023 vision, it is aimed that our country will be the important center of knowledge and advanced technology in the world. In line with this goal, EMRA and EMRA provide more resources and support to R&D studies. As the energy sector, our duty is to use these resources effectively and efficiently."

EMRA R&D Achievement Award Ceremony

Successful R&D projects evaluated by EMRA found their owners at the meeting. At the "EMRA R&D Achievement Awards" ceremony held for the second time this year, electricity and natural gas distribution companies that have accomplished successful works were awarded. The award-winning companies were:

Electricity

Aras EDAŞ: Smart Distribution Transformer Development and Pilot Implementation Project

Enerjisa Toroslar EDAŞ and AYEDAŞ: Mobile Meter Error Tester

ADM – GDZ: Development and Application of Smart Wearable Technologies to Improve Occupational Safety

Natural gas

ESGAZ: Natural Gas Switch – Development of the system that will not need to install service regulators after gas interruption Project

BURSAGAZ: Pipeline Integrity Project

AGDAŞ: Domestic Gas Freezer/Cutter Prototype Design and Manufacturing.

About ELDER

ELDER- Electricity Distribution Services Association continues its activities as an umbrella organization of electricity distribution companies engaged in electricity distribution activities throughout the country. Representing all 21 electricity distribution companies serving 42.5 million consumers using the distribution system as of the end of 2017, ELDER strives to increase the added value in electricity distribution activities, to improve service quality and to increase economic benefit for all its stakeholders. ELDER, which is the partner of many national and international R&D projects for the development of the sector by following the country's energy policy and innovative trends in the world, aims to contribute to the formation of a competition-based free market in the electricity distribution sector since the day it was founded.