The conference covered a wide range of current topics including physical and chemical energy storage systems, battery technologies, hydrogen storage, thermal energy storage, fuel cells, electrolysis systems, smart grids, Power-to-X applications, and energy management supported by artificial intelligence and machine learning.
The 6th World Energy Storage Conference – WESC-2026 – was held at Atlas University from August 9-12, 2026.
The opening speech of the conference was given by the WESC-2026 Conference Chair, Prof. Dr. Zafer Utlu, Director of the Graduate Education Institute at Atlas University.
Prof. Dr. Zafer Utlu: “Energy Storage is a Strategic Necessity”
In his speech, Prof. Dr. Utlu emphasized that global problems such as climate change, increasing energy demand, energy security, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions necessitate a radical transformation in energy systems. He pointed out that with the widespread adoption of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, energy storage has become a strategic necessity to balance intermittent production.
It was stated that various technologies, particularly batteries, thermal energy storage, hydrogen, and pumped hydroelectric storage, play a critical role in integrating renewable energy into the system, stabilizing power systems, improving energy and exergy efficiency, and strengthening energy security. It was also noted that energy storage will make significant contributions to the decarbonization of transportation, buildings, industry, and cities.
It was emphasized that the conference is an important platform not only for sharing technological advancements, but also for fostering multidisciplinary scientific research, innovative engineering solutions, economic feasibility, effective policies, and international collaborations.
At the end of his speech, Prof. Dr. Utlu thanked Dr. Yusuf Elgörmüş, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Atlas University, Rector Prof. Dr. Ersoy Koçabıçak, Prof. İbrahim Dinçer, members of the Organizing and Scientific Committee, and all speakers, session chairs, researchers, and participants for their contributions to the realization of WESC-2026. Utlu expressed his hope that the conference would contribute to the development of energy storage science and technology, as well as inspire new ideas and collaborations for a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable energy future.
WESC-2026, organized as an international and multidisciplinary scientific event in the Dr. Ralph Defronzo Auditorium at the Atlas Valley Campus, provided an important platform for sharing current scientific developments in energy storage technologies, developing sustainable energy solutions, strengthening academic-industry collaborations, and supporting the transition to low-carbon energy systems.
The conference covered a wide range of current topics including physical and chemical energy storage systems, battery technologies, hydrogen storage, thermal energy storage, fuel cells, electrolysis systems, smart grids, Power-to-X applications, and energy management supported by artificial intelligence and machine learning.
World-renowned scientists participated.
Keynote speakers at the conference included Prof. Dr. İbrahim Dinçer from Ontario Tech University, Prof. Hussam Jouhara from Brunel University London, Prof. Neven Duić from the University of Zagreb, and Prof. Dr. Seda Keskin Avcı from Koç University.
WESC-2026's invited speakers included Prof. Dr. Fares Al-Momani from Qatar University, Prof. Dr. Arif Hepbaşlı from Yaşar University, and Zafer Üre from EPS Ltd.
The conference's scientific program included general sessions, keynote speeches, invited talks, oral presentations, and poster sessions. Extended editions of selected high-quality papers were submitted for consideration in international academic journals publishing in the fields of energy and energy storage.
Key topics emerged from the conference.
The four-day conference addressed topics such as “Battery energy storage systems”, “Hydrogen production and hydrogen storage technologies”, “Thermal and thermochemical energy storage”, “Compressed air and liquid air energy storage systems”, “Pumped hydroelectric energy storage”, “Fuel cells and electrolysis applications”, “Smart grids and grid-scale energy storage”, “Electric vehicles and vehicle-to-grid energy transfer”, “Integration of renewable energy sources with storage systems”, “Artificial intelligence and machine learning in energy systems”, “Economic, political, security and regulatory aspects of energy storage systems”, and “New business models and investment strategies in energy storage”.
