About Us
Renewable Energy Engineering, Research and Applications Center (REERAC) established in late 2010 serves both students at Karabük University and the community. It is well equipped to provide not only academic but also practical study to train students with skills to enhance serving in the field of solar energy in Turkey.
The center has a 21.6 kWp grid-connected solar photovoltaic system that provides electric energy to the grid. In addition, a 1kWp stand-alone system with a 3kW inverter and energy storage capacity of 14.4 kWh in a set of stationary batteries was established. The center also has an own-manufactured lamination device that can produce solar panels up to 10Wp (A4 size). On these systems, the students have the opportunity to observe and question many stages and subsystems in detail, from the production of photovoltaic modules to the design and installation of grid-connected or stand-alone systems.
The center is host to some research students studying for MSc or PhD degrees. Usually, they are engaged in power electronics solutions for renewable energy sources and electric vehicles. The research topics mainly focus on designing, analyzing, and implementing various power converters, and developing effective and modern control strategies for these converters.
Vision
Educating and training young engineers/academicians with skills and knowledge capable of designing and producing technologies that will efficiently and economically utilize renewable energy and develop effective waste management systems without spoiling the natural ecosystem. Introducing training programs based on using biomass and/or water and renewable energy to produce hydrogen gas for electrical energy generation through fuel cells.
Mission
Introducing training projects to research students and encouraging them to design and produce prototype systems as part of their thesis. Providing experimental facilities to postgraduate engineering and science students to perform projects required for their MS and/or PhD studies. Organizing short community training courses to teach basic skills regarding 1) the design of power converters, 2) sizing, installation and testing of PV systems, 3) DIY manufacturing of small PV modules.