The Institute

The Institute for Renewable Energy Technology was founded in 2008 and since then has enjoyed a growing number of employees and research and service projects. After completion of the complete renovation of building 34, the staff of in.RET moved into the new offices and laboratories at the turn of 2009/2010.

The building is a teaching and laboratory building built in 1956 for the School of Agricultural Engineering. The State of Thuringia (supplemented by ERDF funds) provided a total of € 2.3 million for the fundamental renovation work that began in autumn 2008.

A brief look into the past:

Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences was one of the first universities in Germany to take account of the growing role played by renewable energy technology and the associated technologies and began to develop a qualified range of courses in this field as early as 2003. University teaching began in the form of a diploma course of study and is now organised as a Bachelor's and Master's course of study.

The fact that we have hit the mark with this course of study proves the great response throughout Germany: Currently, more than 400 students are enrolled in the Regenerative Energy Technology course of study, of which approx. 60% come from other German states.

The foundation of in.RET was the next important step for us to sharpen our profile as a nationally recognized educational institution and partner in research and development. At the same time, the establishment of the institute is intended to bundle the competences in this specialist field and thereby strengthen the competitiveness of Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences in research and teaching throughout Germany.

We see ourselves as a partner for companies, but also for research institutions in Thuringia and beyond.

Without the generous financial support of the Free State of Thuringia, our idea of an Institute for Renewable Energy Technology would not have been possible. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all supporters and patrons for the fact that this support has been possible despite the known strained financial situation of public budgets.