Partner presentation: Middle East Technical University
Middle East Technical University (METU) is a leading higher education institution internationally recognized for its excellence in research and its commitment to sustainable development. With an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach, METU drives innovative projects in areas such as clean energy, advanced technologies, and social sciences, establishing itself as a key player in the transition to a more sustainable future. To learn more about METU’s role in the LEGOFIT project and its strategic vision, we spoke with Prof. Dr. İpek Gürsel Dino, who provided detailed insights into METU’s contributions to the project and its impact on research and innovation.
Middle East Technical University (METU) is a public university renowned for its exceptional contributions to education and research on both national and international levels. Founded in 1956, METU has become a leading institution in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and social sciences, promoting innovation and academic excellence. It consistently ranks among the top universities globally, attracting talented students and researchers from around the world. METU is particularly recognized for its active participation in international research projects and collaborations through programs such as Horizon Europe and Erasmus+. These initiatives span various disciplines, including sustainable energy, advanced technologies, and social sciences, contributing to global knowledge and addressing critical challenges.
METU’s commitment to interdisciplinary education, state-of-the-art facilities, and a vibrant academic community reinforces its reputation as a center for cutting-edge research and world-class education. It is one of Turkey’s leading institutions in terms of international scientific publications and research funding, with revenues from research projects accounting for 20-25% of its annual expenditures. As of May 2024, METU has participated in 461 international projects, including 229 supported by EU Framework Programs. Additionally, the university engages in programs like Erasmus, GCRF, and the U.S. Embassy, generating significant research and educational contributions globally.
METU is actively aligned with the European Research Area (ERA) and has served as a EURAXESS Service Centre since 2015. In 2020, it became the first university in Turkey to receive the Human Resources Excellence in Research Award. With English as its language of instruction and a faculty largely composed of internationally experienced researchers, METU continues to lead in advancing knowledge and innovation on a global scale.
METU also plays a central role in promoting sustainability and clean energy initiatives through its cutting-edge research, innovative projects, and interdisciplinary collaborations. METU CLIMATE (Climate Change and Sustainable Development Application Center) is a research center dedicated to developing scientific and reliable strategies and policies for climate change and sustainable development at both national and international levels. By uniting researchers from diverse disciplines, METU CLIMATE is instrumental in creating solutions for climate change, working with decision-makers across various sectors, supporting national contributions to sustainable development policies and the Paris Agreement, and raising public awareness.
Role of your organization in the project
METU’s primary role in the LEGOFIT project is leading WP2. In this work package, we coordinate a diverse range of activities, including data acquisition, BIM and energy modeling, and identifying technologies to achieve positive energy homes. Additionally, we calculate environmental and financial KPIs necessary for decision-makers and develop predictive artificial intelligence models, optimization algorithms, and visualizations. WP2 is critical for the LEGOFIT project as it provides the necessary decision-making tools for energy improvement actions, equipping decision-makers with evidence-based and reliable data for well-informed scenario analysis.
METU also leads T2.6, which focuses on the development of machine learning models capable of making fast and precise predictions for alternative scenarios. These models allow for the processing of numerous alternatives and combinations of solutions, analyzing their interdependencies effectively. Furthermore, in T4.3, METU leads the development of Model Predictive Control strategies for optimizing building operation.
Why Is LEGOFIT important to your organization?
The LEGOFIT project is a cornerstone of METU’s research ecosystem, bringing together innovative researchers from disciplines such as architectural technologies, computer science, and engineering fields (electrical, mechanical, and civil). METU pursues research excellence through transdisciplinary collaboration to address the technological challenges of clean energy transitions in the built environment.
The methods and tools developed in LEGOFIT draw upon METU’s extensive research experience while paving the way for future projects, collaborations, and opportunities to make a real societal impact. Projects like LEGOFIT also play a crucial role in training and supporting young researchers, equipping them with cutting-edge skills for advancing positive energy homes and state-of-the-art research.
Expectations from LEGOFIT
iven the growing energy demand in the built environment, energy-positive homes are essential for mitigating climate change, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and enhancing the resilience of energy systems. Digital tools allow energy-positive homes to be designed and managed more effectively, contributing significantly to a sustainable energy future. The LEGOFIT project provides a unique opportunity for research-driven innovation, combining expertise in building technologies, energy performance, renewables, and advanced algorithms for prediction, optimization, control, and decision-making.
The project’s five pilot buildings offer critical data for developing data-driven methods and tools, validating technologies, and conducting real-world testing. METU aims to use LEGOFIT as a foundation for future research and development by transferring knowledge, fostering partnerships, expanding research networks, and scaling up existing tools to other contexts.
Curious to learn more about the other partners? Take a look here!