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February 9, 2026 - GTU Office of Press and Public Relations Research conducted under the TÜBİTAK 2244 Industrial PhD Program addresses the transition from natural gas to hydrogen in glass furnaces from both technical and economic perspectives.
The project titled “Operational and Analytical Evaluation of Energy Efficiency in Glass Production and Influencing Factors,” carried out at Gebze Technical University (GTU) under the supervision of Prof. Alp Er Şevki Konukman, is currently ongoing. The research team includes PhD students Farshid Sadeghi Khaneghah, Miraç Burak Kaya, and Onur Kodak, along with expert researchers from Şişecam and Arçelik, as well as independent specialists with expertise in the glass sector. Using a nationwide modeling approach covering 14 major glass factories across Türkiye, the study evaluates hydrogen demand, infrastructure requirements, and conversion costs under near full-capacity production conditions. Rather than comparing different fuel alternatives, the study specifically focuses on the scenario of transitioning from natural gas to hydrogen in glass furnaces.
According to the findings, the total investment required for the transition is estimated at USD 13.13 billion, while annual operating expenses are projected to decrease from approximately USD 210 million to around USD 141 million after 2030. This outlook indicates an annual sector-wide savings potential of approximately USD 200 million compared to current natural gas fuel costs, while also suggesting that the anticipated carbon cost of approximately USD 60 million after 2030 could be avoided through the transition. The detailed findings of the study were published in the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy.
The GTU Rectorate emphasized that the study represents a concrete outcome of university–industry collaboration, providing science-based decision support for the glass industry in line with Türkiye’s green transition goals and contributing to the planning of sustainable production strategies.
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