Sustainable Energy Transition in Higher Education: Optimization of a Hybrid Renewable System Under Türkiye’s 2053 Net-Zero Target

The global imperative for climate action and the accelerating energy transition have positioned higher-education institutions (HEIs) as vital laboratories for achieving carbon neutrality. In full alignment with Türkiye’s national commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2053, this study develops and optimizes a phased roadmap for Erciyes University, a major public institution, to transition its energy system toward full sustainability. The research focuses on the techno-economic and environmental optimization of a hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) integrating solar photovoltaic (PV), wind, and locally sourced biomass resources to meet the campus’s annual electricity demand of 30.4 GWh. Using the HOMER Pro simulation tool, three strategic scenarios were evaluated: short-term (2030), medium-term (2040), and long-term (2053). System performance was assessed based on sizing, net present cost (NPC), levelized cost of energy (LCOE), and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction. Results reveal that renewable energy penetration levels of 30–70% can reduce GHG emissions by over 60% and lower NPC by up to 31% compared with a fully grid-dependent baseline. In the final stage, configurations with 80–90% renewable fractions achieved the optimal balance between deep decarbonization and economic viability, whereas the fully off-grid system achieved zero emissions at a higher cost due to extensive storage requirements. Overall, this research presents a scalable, data-driven framework for sustainable campus energy transitions, providing a replicable model for HEIs and policymakers advancing national net-zero agendas.