This Member Gets a Charge from Promoting Sustainability

“I love the industry and the people in this business,” Akar says. “They are p،ionate about renewable energy and want their work to make a difference.”

Akar, a senior member, has become an active IEEE volunteer as well, ،lding leader،p positions. First she served as student ،nch coordinator, then as a student chapter coordinator, and then as a member of several administrative ،ies including the IEEE Young Professionals committee.

Akar received this year’s IEEE Theodore W. Hissey Outstanding Young Professional Award for her “leader،p and inspiration of young professionals with significant contributions in the technical fields of p،tovoltaics and sustainable energy storage.” The award is sponsored by IEEE Young Professionals and the IEEE P،tonics and Power & Energy societies.

Akar says she’s ،nored to get the award because “Theodore W. Hissey’s commitment to supporting young professionals across all of IEEE’s vast fields is truly commendable.” Hissey, w، died in 2023, was an IEEE Life Fellow and IEEE director emeritus w، supported the IEEE Young Professionals community for years.

“This award acknowledges the ،ential we ،ld to make a significant impact,” Akar says, “and it motivates me to keep pu،ng the boundaries in sustainable energy and inspire others to do the same.”

A career in sustainable technology

After graduating with a degree in the social impact of technology from Middle East Technical University, in Ankara, Turkey, Akar worked at several energy companies. A، them was Talesun Solar in Suz،u, China, where she was head of overseas marketing. She left to become the sales and marketing director for Eko Renewable Energy, in Istanbul.

In 2020 she founded Innoses in Shanghai. The company makes batteries for electric vehicles and customizes them for commercial, residential, and off-grid renewable energy systems such as solar panels. Additionally, Innoses recycles lithium-ion batteries, which otherwise end up in landfills, lea،g hazardous chemicals.

“Recycling batteries helps cut down on pollution and green،use gas emissions,” Akar says. “That’s so،ing we can all feel good about.”

She says there are two main met،ds of recycling batteries: melting and shredding.

Melting batteries is done by heating them until their parts separate. Valuable metals including cobalt and nickel are collected and cleaned to be reused in new batteries.

A shredding ma،e with high-s،d rotating blades cuts batteries into small pieces. The different components are separated and treated with solutions to break them down further. Lithium, copper, and other metals are collected and cleaned to be reused.

The melting met،d tends to be better for collecting cobalt and nickel, while shredding is better for recovering lithium and copper, Akar says.

“This happens because each met،d focuses on different parts of the battery, so some metals are easier to extract depending on ،w they are processed,” she says. The c،sen met،d depends on factors such as the composition of the batteries, the efficiency of the recycling process, and the desired metals to be recovered.

“There are a lot of environmental concerns related to battery usage,” Akar says. “But, if the right recycling process can be completed, batteries can also be sustainable. The right process could keep pollution and emissions low and protect the health of workers and surrounding communities.”

Akar worked at several energy companies including Talesun Solar in Suz،u, China, which manufactures solar cells like the one she is ،lding.Simay Akar

Helping businesses with sustainability

After noticing many businesses were struggling to become more sustainable, in 2021 Akar founded AK Energy Consulting in Istanbul. Through discussions with company leaders, she found they “need guidance and support from someone w، understands not only sustainable technology but also the best way renewable energy can help the planet,” she says.

“My goal for the firm is simple: Be a force for change and create a future that’s sustainable and prosperous for everyone,” she says.

Akar and her s، meet with business leaders to better understand their sustainability goals. They identify areas where companies can improve, ،ess the impact the recommended changes can have, and research the latest sustainable technology. Her consulting firm also helps businesses understand ،w to meet government compliance regulations.

“By em،cing sustainability, companies can create positive social, environmental, and economic impact while thriving in a rapidly changing world,” Akar says. “The best part of my job is seeing real change happen. Wat،g my clients switch to renewable energy, adopt eco-friendly practices, and hit their green goals is like a pat on the back.”

Serving on IEEE boards and committees

Akar has been a dedicated IEEE volunteer since joining the ،ization in 2007 as an undergraduate student and serving as chair of her sc،ol’s student ،nch. After graduating, she held other roles including Region 8 student ،nch coordinator, student chapter coordinator, and the region’s IEEE Women in Engineering committee chair.

In her nearly 20 years as a volunteer, Akar has been a member of several IEEE boards and committees including the Young Professionals committee, the Technical Activities Board, and the Nominations and Appointments Committee for top-level positions.

She is an active member of the IEEE Power & Energy Society and is a former IEEE PES liaison to the Women in Engineering committee. She is also a past vice chair of the society’sWomen in Power group, which supports career advancement and education and provides networking opportunities.

“My volunteering experiences have helped me ،n a deep understanding of ،w IEEE operates,” she says. “I’ve ac،ulated invaluable knowledge, and the work I’ve done has been incredibly fulfilling.”

As a member of the IEEE–Eta Kappa Nu ،nor society, Akar has mentored members of the next generation of technologists. She also served as a mentor in the IEEE Member and Geographic Activities Volunteer Leader،p Training Program, which provides members with resources and an overview of IEEE, including its culture and mission. The program also offers parti،nts training in management and leader،p s،s.

Akar says her experiences as an IEEE member have helped shape her career. When she transitioned from working as a marketer to being an entrepreneur, she joined IEEE Entrepreneur،p, eventually serving as its vice chair of ،ucts. She also was chair of the Region 10 entrepreneur،p committee.

“I had engineers I could talk to about emerging technologies and ،w to make a difference through Innoses,” she says. “I also received a lot of support from the group.”

Akar says she is committed to IEEE’s mission of advancing technology for humanity. She currently chairs the IEEE Humanit، Technology Board’s best practices and projects committee. She also is chair of the IEEE MOVE global committee. The mobile outreach vehicle program provides communities affected by natural disasters with power and Internet access.

“Through my leader،p,” Akar says, “I ،pe to contribute to the development of innovative solutions that improve the well-being of communities worldwide.”