Horst Complex

dr. C. Acar (Canan)

Associate Professor
ET-TFE-TE
Horst Complex N248
c.a.acar@utwente.nl
+31534891642
Business card

Dr. Canan Acar is an Associate Professor specializing in integrated hydrogen energy systems. With a background in Chemical and Mechanical Engineering, Dr. Acar holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Ontario Tech University (Canada) and an MSc in Chemical Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology (USA). Her journey reflects a deep commitment to sustainable energy solutions, particularly in advancing the role of hydrogen as a clean energy carrier.

At the core of Dr. Acar’s research lies the integration of renewable-based hydrogen energy systems across urban environments, including buildings, mobility, and industry. She investigates hydrogen’s potential as an energy carrier, storage medium, or fuel, focusing on its role in developing efficient, circular, and resilient energy systems. By applying energy and exergy analyses, she works to optimize decarbonization pathways that balance environmental responsibility and energy efficiency. Her work addresses one of today’s most pressing questions: How do we maintain and improve our quality of life without fossil fuels?

Dr. Acar’s contributions to hydrogen energy and sustainability have earned her international recognition, including the Governor-General of Canada’s Gold Medal for Academic Excellence, the Outstanding Young Scientist Award from the Turkish Academy of Sciences, and the Zong Qiang Mao Award from the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. She remains motivated by her desire to develop solutions that mimic nature’s circularity, where waste is minimized and resources are used efficiently.

In addition to her research, Dr. Acar is a dedicated educator and mentor, fostering a collaborative and supportive academic environment. She is passionate about inspiring the next generation of scientists, especially those underrepresented in engineering. She embraces her role in showing others that a successful and meaningful career in science is possible.

Dr. Acar’s work extends beyond the laboratory and classroom. She actively contributes to international collaborations, participates in scientific networks, and engages in outreach efforts to advance clean hydrogen solutions. Her ultimate goal is to provide a clear roadmap for integrating hydrogen into existing and emerging infrastructures, paving the way for a sustainable and equitable energy future.

Expertise

  • Chemistry

    • Energy
    • Hydrogen
    • Exergy

  • Engineering

    • Sustainable Development
    • Exergy Efficiency
    • Evaluation
    • Performance
    • Energy Efficiency

Organisations

Research Interests

Dr. Canan Acar’s research centers on advancing sustainable and circular energy systems, with a focus on hydrogen technologies. She integrates thermodynamic analysis, system optimization, and practical applications to address global energy challenges. Her work contributes to renewable energy solutions, integration of hydrogen, and energy management strategies.

Key Research Areas:

  • Hydrogen energy systems and technologies
  • Alternative and renewable energy systems
  • Sustainable and circular energy solutions
  • Thermodynamic analysis of integrated energy systems
  • Renewable hydrogen pathways
  • Energy and exergy management
  • Hydrogen applications across different sectors (e.g., built environment, industry, transportation)

Publications

Jump to: 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020

2025

A systematic review of predictive, optimization, and smart control strategies for hydrogen-based building heating systems (2025)Applied energy, 379. Article 124994. Kaabinejadian, A., Pozarlik, A. & Acar, C.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2024.124994

2024

Techno-economic and environmental analysis of Cu–Cl cycle for hydrogen production in hybrid refuelling stations: A case study of Highway 401, Canada (2024)International journal of hydrogen energy, 100, 1135-1158 (E-pub ahead of print/First online). Mohammadi, A., Jianu, O. A. & Acar, C.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.12.265Hydrogen storage solutions for residential heating: A thermodynamic and economic analysis with scale-up potential (2024)International journal of hydrogen energy, 79, 579-593. Esposito, L., van der Wiel, M. & Acar, C.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.06.279Dynamic analysis and multi-objective optimization of solar and hydrogen energy-based systems for residential applications: A review (2024)International journal of hydrogen energy, 75, 662-689. Soyturk, G., Cetinkaya, S. A., Aslani Yekta, M., Kheiri Joghan, M. M., Mohebi, H., Kizilkan, O., Ghandehariun, A. M., Colpan, C. O., Acar, C. & Ghandehariun, S.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.05.095Green hydrogen for ammonia production – A case for the Netherlands (2024)International journal of hydrogen energy, 52, 418-432. Pagani, G., Hajimolana, Y. & Acar, C.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2023.06.309Guest editorial for the special issue hydrogen production based on papers selected from the 23rd World Hydrogen Energy Conference (WHEC-2022) (2024)International journal of hydrogen energy, 52, 1. Kovač, A., Acar, C. & Karapinar, I.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2023.10.284Sustainable stationary hydrogen storage application selection with interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy AHP (2024)International journal of hydrogen energy, 49, 619-634. Acar, C., Haktanır, E., Temur, G. T. & Beskese, A.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2023.10.081

2023

Performance analysis of a stand-alone integrated solar hydrogen energy system for zero energy buildings (2023)International journal of hydrogen energy, 48(5), 1664-1684. Acar, C., Erturk, E. & Firtina-Ertis, I.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2022.10.051

2022

Selection criteria and ranking for sustainable hydrogen production options (2022)International journal of hydrogen energy, 47(95), 40118-40137. Acar, C. & Dincer, I.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2022.07.137A comprehensive review of recent advances in renewable-based drying technologies for a sustainable future (2022)Drying Technology, 40(6), 1029-1050. Acar, C., Dincer, I. & Mujumdar, A.https://doi.org/10.1080/07373937.2020.1848858Comparative fuel cell sustainability assessment with a novel approach (2022)International journal of hydrogen energy, 47(1), 575-594. Acar, C., Beskese, A. & Temur, G. T.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2021.10.034Current Status and Future Prospects of Power-To-Hydrogen Towards 100% Renewable Energy (2022)In Renewable Energy Based Solutions (pp. 667-690) (Lecture Notes in Energy; Vol. 87). Springer. Acar, C.https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-05125-8_28Green hydrogen for ammonia production – A case for the Netherlands (2022)In Proceedings of WHEC 2022 - 23rd World Hydrogen Energy Conference: Bridging Continents by H2 (pp. 240-242). International Association for Hydrogen Energy, IAHE. Pagani, G., Acar, C. & Hajimolana, Y.Modeling of a Hydrogen Storage System Based on Metal Hydride and Phase Change Material (2022)In Proceedings of WHEC 2022 - 23rd World Hydrogen Energy Conference: Bridging Continents by H2 (pp. 604-606). International Association for Hydrogen Energy, IAHE. Wiersma, W. H. & Acar, C.

2021

Investigation of a new integrated system for multiple outputs with hydrogen and methanol (2021)International journal of hydrogen energy, 46(6), 4699-4715. Acar, C. & Dincer, I.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2020.02.167

2020

Enhanced generation of hydrogen, power, and heat with a novel integrated photoelectrochemical system (2020)International journal of hydrogen energy, 45(60), 34666-36678. Acar, C. & Dincer, I.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2020.01.075Optimal sizing design of an isolated stand-alone hybrid wind-hydrogen system for a zero-energy house (2020)Applied energy, 274, 115244. Firtina-Ertis, I., Acar, C. & Erturk, E.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.115244Solar Hydrogen’s Role for a Sustainable Future (2020)In Accelerating the Transition to a 100% Renewable Energy Era (pp. 309-331) (Lecture Notes in Energy). Springer. Acar, C.https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-40738-4_14The potential role of hydrogen as a sustainable transportation fuel to combat global warming (2020)International journal of hydrogen energy, 45(5), 3396-3406. Acar, C. & Dincer, I.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.10.149

Research profiles

Teaching Philosophy

Dr. Canan Acar combines over 15 years of education experience with a focus on creating adaptive, active learning environments. She incorporates real-world challenges to equip students with practical skills in thermodynamics, sustainable energy systems, and energy conversion technologies. Her education activities cover

  • Fundamental principles of thermodynamics, energy systems, and real-world applications.
  • Integrating renewable and sustainable energy, hydrogen, and circular economy concepts for resilient solutions.
  • Supervising and guiding students through hands-on, project-based learning experiences.

Courses academic year 2024/2025

Courses in the current academic year are added at the moment they are finalised in the Osiris system. Therefore it is possible that the list is not yet complete for the whole academic year.

Courses academic year 2023/2024

Address

University of Twente

Horst Complex (building no. 20), room N248
De Horst 2
7522 LW Enschede
Netherlands

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