The final event of the Nuclear Energy Technologies Design Competition, organized for the 3rd time this year by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources within the scope of TEKNOFEST Aviation, Space and Technology Festival, was held at TENMAK's campus in Küçükçekmece, Istanbul.
At the event, Minister Bayraktar listened to the presentation summaries of the 4 teams that made it to the finals in "Detail Design", the most advanced category of the Nuclear Energy Technologies Design Competition, and asked questions to the young engineers about their designs.
Stating that an important progress has been made in the Çekmece campus, which he defines as Türkiye's nuclear peninsula, Bayraktar said, "We have completed the zoning processes of this place with its name. More importantly, our TR-2 Research Reactor has been licensed again, after a very long time. In a very short time, nuclear research and material tests will be carried out here again. We will have the chance to see the results of the things we have worked on theoretically in the laboratory and research facilities." he said.
Explaining that the Nuclear Energy Technologies Design Competition continues to grow, Bayraktar said, "Last year, there were 87 teams from 2 countries. This year, there are 192 teams from 9 countries. As the TEKNOFEST family grows, the nuclear side is also growing." he said.
Bayraktar also reminded that Türkiye won one gold and three bronze medals at the International Nuclear Science Olympiad held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Stating that in addition to TENMAK's scholarship support for undergraduate students, mentor support will be provided to scholars accepted to the program, Bayraktar said, "Of course, we need many resources, but our most important resource is our human resources. Therefore, we will do our best to raise them well." he said.
Minister Bayraktar also drew attention to the importance of the incentive program previously announced by the Ministry of Industry and Technology in terms of developing Türkiye's small modular reactors with domestic and national means.
Stating that developments in the world reveal Türkiye's need for more localization, using national resources and developing its own capabilities, Bayraktar said, "Time has started to run out. That's why we need to work faster." he said. Bayraktar emphasized that TEKNOFEST had an important role in creating this awareness and that the organization has now become one of Türkiye's most important international brands.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND DATA CENTERS INCREASE ELECTRICITY DEMAND
Minister Bayraktar stated that Türkiye's demand for electricity has increased and said, "It is the same in the world, it is the same in Türkiye. The demand is increasing. We also have a red apple. Our red apple is to make Türkiye independent in energy. Turkey imports two out of three units of the energy it uses today. We need to be a self-sufficient country in energy." he said.
Pointing out that climate change targets and decarbonization are not possible without nuclear energy, Bayraktar stated that nuclear energy will be an important solution in reducing foreign dependence on energy.
Bayraktar explained that the population, economy and industry have a great impact on electricity demand, but technologies such as artificial intelligence and data centers also increase this demand.
Stating that new technologies lead to high energy demand, Bayraktar said: "In order to meet this, it is necessary to have an installed capacity as much as Japan every year. Electric vehicles and electricity demands for cooling purposes have also been added to this chain. There is the purification and use of sea water. Our estimate is that we need at least 3 to 5 terawatt-hours of electricity related to sea water purification in the 2040 new energy architecture. Now, when you include these unconventional factors, there is an enormous demand. That's why "It is of great importance that we produce our own power plant, and in this new energy architecture, if I have to express it in one word, I call it electrification."
Stating that young people will make a significant contribution to Türkiye's achievement of energy independence, Bayraktar said, "I feel that we have partially succeeded in building the self-confidence and changing the mindset of young people in oil and natural gas exploration. That is why today Turkey is searching for and producing oil and natural gas in its own seas, in Gabar. Somalia is also a very important country for us. What we received from you today is your self-confidence. This is the most important thing, to fight until the end, to never give up, to never give up. With this understanding, I wholeheartedly believe that we will achieve our goals in every field." made his assessment.
"ITU'S REACTOR WILL ALSO BE COMMISSIONED"
Regarding a student's question at the event about the nuclear energy research center and national internship programs planned to be established in Türkiye, Bayraktar reminded students about internship and scholarship opportunities at TENMAK and other relevant institutions.
Bayraktar stated that there were students sent abroad in the field of nuclear energy, some of them returned after completing their education and are currently working at the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, and continued as follows:
"We have a direct connection with a significant number of young people. We support their education and also work with them after education. Because we need a huge human resource. Türkiye's nuclear field will grow the fastest and be one of the largest fields, together with the reactors we plan to establish in Sinop, the reactors in Thrace and the Small Modular Reactors (SMR). That's why we need students trained in this field."
Referring to the studies on research reactors in Türkiye, Bayraktar said, "Our research reactor will start operating soon. Licensing, everything is finished, everything is ready. Istanbul Technical University is working on this issue. The reactor will also come into operation there." gave the information. Bayraktar also stated that there are two issues on the table in all international negotiations of Türkiye, especially regarding large-scale reactors, and said:
