Özyeğin University has selected Vestel Mobility's Energy Storage System (ESS) as a solution partner for the EU Horizon Europe LEGOFIT Project, conducted by the university's Energy, Environment, and Economics Center (EÇEM). The energy storage system integrated into Özyeğin University’s dormitory building will provide efficient, eco-friendly, and uninterrupted power supply.
As part of the LEGOFIT Project, Özyeğin University’s Energy, Environment, and Economics Center (EÇEM) has partnered with Vestel Mobility to increase energy efficiency and promote the use of sustainable energy on campus.
The project, led by EÇEM Director Prof. Dr. M. Pınar Mengüç, with contributions from researchers Dr. Cem Keskin and Gökçe Tomrukçu, and ÖzÜ Electrical-Electronics Engineering Department Head Dr. Göktürk Poyrazoğlu, was supported by the ÖzÜ Technical Services Directorate and Accommodation Services Directorate. The project employed Vestel Mobility’s locally-produced high-efficiency battery energy storage system as the core solution. With innovative energy management from Vestel Mobility, a structure with very low energy consumption and carbon emissions has been created, making a significant step toward Özyeğin University’s sustainability goals.
With support from the European Union Horizon Europe Program, the LEGOFIT Project has successfully integrated a 150 kWh capacity Vestel Mobility battery energy storage system into a student dormitory at Özyeğin University’s Çekmeköy campus. The advanced technology of this system allows it to activate quickly in the event of a power outage. With a response time of less than 20 milliseconds, the system ensures uninterrupted power supply during sudden energy outages, guaranteeing users continuous access to energy without disruption. This project provides students with a safe, sustainable, and efficient energy infrastructure while establishing a new model for energy transformation.
Prof. Dr. M. Pınar Mengüç, Director of EÇEM, said: "With the innovative LEGOFIT project we implemented on campus to increase energy efficiency and promote sustainable energy use, we have successfully realized the system we desired through Vestel Mobility's supply. The Vestel Mobility Energy Storage System at our Dormitory-6 Building is the first cabin-type energy storage system applied at the building scale in Turkey. This innovative system will enhance energy efficiency on our campus and enable more effective use of renewable energy sources. This project not only serves as an important model for our university but also for green building and sustainable campus projects in Turkey. The technology developed within the scope of the LEGOFIT project contributes to energy transformation and supports the spread of uninterrupted, low-carbon, and smart living spaces."
Mert Uygun, Deputy General Manager of Battery Sales at Vestel Mobility, commented: “As Vestel Mobility, we had the opportunity to combine our expertise in energy storage technologies with a leading educational institution like Özyeğin University. The battery storage systems we have implemented in student dormitories under the LEGOFIT project will kick in during power outages to meet the building's continuous energy needs. This project will contribute to our zero-emission goals while providing an important example for sustainable energy transformation. The knowledge and technical gains we’ve acquired during the project will also allow us to offer model solutions applicable to other university campuses and commercial buildings in the future.”
Sustainable Energy Model in Campuses
As part of the LEGOFIT project launched by Özyeğin University and EÇEM, the battery energy storage system required for the student dormitory was developed by the Vestel Mobility team and successfully commissioned. The 150 kWh capacity energy storage system offered within the project has the capacity to provide continuous energy for approximately 5 hours, considering the building's average energy need of 30 kW. During night hours, when energy consumption is lower, this duration can extend to 7-8 hours. With this project, the costs associated with traditional diesel generators, which consume 2-3 liters of fuel per hour, will be eliminated, and carbon emissions will be minimized.
The battery storage systems developed by Vestel Mobility provide uninterrupted, eco-friendly, and flexible energy management. These systems enhance energy supply security while reducing dependence on the grid and lowering carbon footprints.
New Collaborations on the Horizon
Mert Uygun, Deputy General Manager of Battery Sales at Vestel Mobility, stated that the LEGOFIT Project creates a model that sets future residential standards in energy efficiency, and with Vestel Mobility’s contributions, it will lead the way in sustainable energy transformation. He added that in the future, they aim to share the experiences and technical gains from this project with other universities and commercial buildings to implement similar projects.
The LEGOFIT Project, which aims to create energy-efficient homes in building renovation and construction processes with the collaboration of 20 partner organizations from 10 different countries, focuses on increasing energy efficiency in existing buildings and upgrading new buildings to high-efficiency standards.
About the Energy, Environment, and Economics Center (EÇEM)
Operating under Özyeğin University, EÇEM was established in 2009 with the aim of providing advanced engineering and architectural solutions for energy, environment, and economics-related issues and contributing to society. The center focuses on five main areas: radiative transfer, nano-thermal sciences, energy-efficient buildings, human-building interaction, and strategy/capacity development. These areas are evaluated alongside EÇEM’s horizontal areas of energy and resource efficiency, potential solutions for climate change problems, and economic impact studies. EÇEM has worked on a total of 24 projects, including 4 EU demo projects such as LEGOFIT.
About Özyeğin University
Founded in 2007 by the Hüsnü M. Özyeğin Foundation, Özyeğin University is an entrepreneurial research university focused on global impact, student development, and academic excellence. The university offers 25 undergraduate, 36 graduate, and 10 doctoral programs across seven faculties and three institutes. Özyeğin University aims to enhance its research capabilities through its dynamic academic community, which encourages innovative, interdisciplinary collaborations and produces rapidly growing research outputs. The university is ranked second in the “THE Young Universities Ranking” among private and foundation universities established in the past 20 years. In the “THE Impact Rankings,” Özyeğin University has been ranked first among Turkish foundation universities for six years.
About Vestel Mobility
Founded in 2024, Vestel Mobility is the result of more than 10 years of investment by Turkey’s technology giant Vestel in mobility and sustainable energy. The company, which develops future technologies in electric vehicle charging stations, automotive electronics, and energy storage solutions, combines Vestel’s deep knowledge and engineering power in this field with a new vision.
The company supports the widespread adoption of electric vehicles by developing innovative AC and DC chargers for Electric Vehicle Charging (EVC) stations. Additionally, Vestel Mobility provides renewable energy solutions by developing Turkey’s first locally produced battery energy storage systems. A strong player in automotive electronics, Vestel Mobility has developed the display systems for Turkey’s domestic electric vehicle, Togg.
As Turkey’s largest manufacturer and exporter of electric vehicle chargers, Vestel Mobility exports its products to nearly 30 countries and strengthens its industry leadership as a member of the European Energy Storage Association (EASE).
With its innovative technologies, Vestel Mobility is contributing to sustainability and energy efficiency with the goal of becoming a global player. For more information, please visit vestelinternational.com.
