Energy and environmental technologies in Thuringia

Thuringian universities offer numerous interdisciplinary degree programs. These optimally prepare graduates for the growing market demands on energy and environmental technologies.

Energy networks and systems

The Ilmenau University of Technology combines research expertise in the fields of energy and systems engineering and has extensive experience in the operation, design and analysis of electrical energy systems.

Environmental Engineering

Innovative solutions in the areas of energy, transport, water and waste are being developed at the Bauhaus University Weimar developed. The focus is on future-oriented topics such as ecological action, resource conservation, mobility and climate change, and these are being designed in a sustainable and socially responsible manner.

Green Photonics

The Friedrich Schiller University It imparts sound knowledge and skills in experimental and theoretical optics and also offers specialized training programs in various subfields of optics. In Jena's high-tech environment, highly efficient technical applications of light thus contribute to ecological solutions.

• Renewable energy technology, Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences
• Environmental and recycling technology, Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences
• Photonics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena
• Biotechnology, Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences Jena
• Environmental technology and development, Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences Jena
• Electrical Power and Control EngineeringTU Ilmenau
• Renewable energy technologyTU Ilmenau
• Building physics and energy-efficient building optimization, Bauhaus University Weimar
• Environmental Engineering, Bauhaus University Weimar
• Water and Environment, Bauhaus University Weimar
   

In Thuringia, energy and environmental technology professionals receive a sound theoretical and practical education. Private and public educational institutions offer a wide range of programs. These programs impart solid specialist knowledge and the latest technological developments. Furthermore, there are numerous continuing education opportunities, for example, to become a certified energy and environmental technology specialist Energy Manager or Energy Scout with IHK certificate.

• Electronics technician for energy and building technology
• Environmental Protection Technician
• Wastewater technician
• Water supply technician
• Water management specialist
• Specialist for recycling and waste management
• Biology, physics and chemistry laboratory technician

Thuringia not only has an excellent research infrastructure, but also places great emphasis on cooperation between business and science.

• Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems (IKTS), Hermsdorf
• Fraunhofer Institute for Optronics, System Technologies and Image Processing, Applied System Technology Division (IOSB-AST), Ilmenau
• Battery Innovation and Technology Center (BITC), Arnstadt
• Center for Energy and Environmental Chemistry (CEEC), Jena
• HySON – Institute for Applied Hydrogen Research Sonneberg gGmbH, Sonneberg
• IAB – Institute for Applied Building Research, Weimar
• Institute for Renewable Energy Technology (in.RET), Nordhausen
• ThEFI Thuringian Energy Research Institute, Ilmenau
• ThIWert Thuringian Innovation Center for Recyclable Materials, Nordhausen

In Thuringia, research is being conducted on the missing links of the energy transition, such as electrical and thermal energy storage, sector coupling, and hydrogen production, transport, and storage. Leading examples include battery research at the Fraunhofer IKTS in the field of sodium-ion batteries for stationary energy storage and polymer-based redox flow batteries developed at the CEEC, which are unparalleled worldwide. Along the hydrogen production value chain, practice-oriented research consortia like HySON are developing, along with new research approaches at the Ilmenau University of Technology for the production of green hydrogen directly from solar water splitting.