Women Entrepreneurs in Energy Storage: Turkey’s Pioneering Women in Sustainable Energy Transformation

Energy storage technologies play a critical role in Turkey’s sustainable energy goals. In an era where the male-dominated perception of this sector is rapidly changing, women entrepreneurs are achieving remarkable success with energy storage solutions. Women entrepreneurs who are pioneers in renewable energy and energy storage systems make significant contributions to Turkey’s energy transformation strategy. In this article, you will discover the stories of successful women entrepreneurs in the energy storage sector and their roles in Turkey’s clean energy future. The inspiring success stories of women leaders operating in the energy storage field, from battery technologies to smart grid solutions, illuminate the future of the sector.

Göknur Atalay – From Power Plant Projects to Energy Transformation

Göknur Atalay – Enerji Depolama Sektöründe Kadın Girişimciler – Women Entrepreneurs in Energy Storage

Göknur Atalay, a graduate of METU Physics, is one of the leading women entrepreneurs in the energy sector. Her company, GY Engineering Architecture Inc., provides engineering, consultancy, and project services for various energy power plants, from coal to natural gas, from hydroelectric to wind and solar.

Atalay is one of the rare women with a high-level entrepreneurial identity in the energy sector. While male engineers are predominantly at the forefront of energy production projects in Turkey, Atalay brought a different perspective to the sector. Under her leadership, GY Engineering focuses not only on large power plant projects but also on energy storage infrastructure, contributing to energy supply security.

Aysun Aktaş Akdoğan – An Innovative Path with Flexible Panels

Aysun Aktaş Akdoğan – Enerji Depolama Sektöründe Kadın Girişimciler – Women Entrepreneurs in Energy Storage

Aysun Aktaş Akdoğan, who entered the solar energy field with ACS Energy founded in 2015, managed to make a name for herself in the sector in a short time. Akdoğan’s venture is recognized as one of Turkey’s most innovative solar energy companies. The Fiber Lens Flexible Panel she developed has a lighter, more flexible structure that can be applied to different surfaces, unlike conventional solar panels.

Although this innovative approach is not directly connected to energy storage, it enables more efficient use of the electricity produced. Flexible panels make energy production possible in urban structures, small-scale businesses, and mobile systems. When such applications are combined with energy storage solutions, they strengthen individual users’ energy independence.

Akdoğan’s success was crowned with the “Turkey’s Woman Entrepreneur” award she received in 2022. Her story is one of the most concrete indicators that women can produce innovative solutions in energy technologies.

Gamze Karanfil Kaçmaz – From Fuel Cells to Domestic Technology

Gamze Karanfil Kaçmaz – Enerji Depolama Sektöründe Kadın Girişimciler – Women Entrepreneurs in Energy Storage

One of the names making a direct impact in energy storage technologies is Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gamze Karanfil Kaçmaz. GMZ Energy Systems, which she founded with TUBITAK support in 2021, works on domestic fuel cell technologies.

Kaçmaz’s solutions stand out particularly in hydrogen energy-based systems. Hydrogen is seen as one of the future energy storage methods. GMZ Energy’s goal is to reduce foreign dependency in this field and achieve a competitive position with domestic production in Turkey. GMZ Energy conducts R&D studies on fuel cells that can be used in both industrial applications and transportation.

Selmiye Alkan Gürsel – The Power of Graphene and Lithium-Ion

Selmiye Alkan Gürsel – Enerji Depolama Sektöründe Kadın Girişimciler – Women Entrepreneurs in Energy Storage

Prof. Dr. Selmiye Alkan Gürsel, who works at Sabancı University, is one of the most important academics that comes to mind when energy storage is mentioned. Gürsel’s work focuses on lithium-ion batteries, fuel cells, and graphene-based electrodes. Graphene is a material with the potential to revolutionize energy storage technologies with its high conductivity and durability properties. Gürsel’s projects in this field are not limited to academic publications; they also aim to develop industry-oriented applications. The development of battery technologies in Turkey is a critical step for increasing energy storage capacity. Gürsel’s research both contributes to the domestic production vision and increases Turkey’s potential to have a say on a global scale.

Seda Keskin Avcı – Studies on Hydrogen Storage

Seda Keskin Avcı – Enerji Depolama Sektöründe Kadın Girişimciler – Women Entrepreneurs in Energy Storage

Koç University faculty member Seda Keskin Avcı is internationally recognized for her work on energy storage and recovery of hydrogen. Avcı aims to increase hydrogen storage capacity by developing nano-porous materials. Being the first Turkish woman scientist to win the “Starting Grant” award from the European Research Council (ERC) in 2013 shows that her academic achievements are also recognized globally. Avcı’s work contributes to the safe, economical, and efficient storage of hydrogen. High cost and low efficiency, one of the biggest problems of energy storage, is one of the areas that can find solutions through Avcı’s research. In this respect, she makes an important contribution to Turkey’s clean energy vision.

Şule Erten Ela – Fuel and Electricity from the Sun

Şule Erten Ela- Enerji Depolama Sektöründe Kadın Girişimciler – Women Entrepreneurs in Energy Storage

Prof. Dr. Şule Erten Ela from Ege University is known for her work on producing both electricity and fuel from solar energy. Her research focusing on photovoltaic technologies and direct fuel production from sunlight brings different dimensions of energy storage to the agenda. Ela is also the recipient of the Alexander von Humboldt Award and the TUBA Outstanding Young Scientist Award. Her research proves that Turkey can be a country that develops new energy technologies, not just an energy consumer.

Sedef Budak and the TWRE Network

Sedef Budak & TWRE – Enerji Depolama Sektöründe Kadın Girişimciler – Women Entrepreneurs in Energy Storage

Another important initiative for women to become more visible in the energy sector is TWRE – Women’s Network in Renewable Energy and Energy Sector, implemented by Sedef Budak. Founded in 2018, this organization brings together more than 1,700 women. TWRE provides a powerful platform to increase women’s presence in the sector, facilitate experience sharing, and develop new collaborations. Through this network, women entrepreneurs can more easily meet with investors and technology developers.

Why is Women’s Role in Energy Storage Important?

Energy storage is a critical technology for more efficient use of renewable energy sources. Strong storage systems are needed to provide uninterrupted energy even when the wind is not blowing and the sun is not shining. Women entrepreneurs and academics in Turkey make a difference not only in terms of gender equality but also technological progress by developing innovative solutions in this field. Women’s scientific perspective, interdisciplinary approaches, and entrepreneurial spirit focusing on different needs make the energy storage field more inclusive and sustainable.

The Future of Energy is in Women’s Hands

The increase of women entrepreneurs in the energy storage and renewable energy field in Turkey is a promising development for the future of the sector. From Göknur Atalay’s power plant projects to Aysun Aktaş Akdoğan’s flexible panels; from Gamze Karanfil Kaçmaz’s fuel cells to Selmiye Alkan Gürsel’s graphene studies, many examples show that women can lead in the sector.

Energy transformation means not only technological but also social transformation. Women entrepreneurs strengthen both the technical and social aspects of this transformation. Turkey’s becoming a stronger country in the energy storage field in the future will be possible largely thanks to the vision and courage demonstrated by these women.