FAQ - Frequently asked questions

In 2026, an Energy and Environmental Management Project Office was established. It oversees the implementation of an energy management system, assists with the collection and analysis of energy-related data, and works closely with central administrative units, faculties, and other stakeholders at the university.

TU Dortmund University's energy portal provides information on measures taken by the university to reduce energy demand and promote the generation or use of green energy on campus. 

TU Dortmund University is pursuing the goal of producing more electricity itself from renewable energy sources. PV systems are planned for all new buildings by the Bau- und Liegenschaftsbetrieb NRW (BLB NRW). As part of refurbishments, it is checked whether PV systems can be retrofitted. For example, the new sports extension building is equipped with a PV system. A PV system is also planned for the new university library building. As an Efficiency Building 40, it will be heated by a heat pump that uses geothermal energy as a heat source and is powered by electricity from photovoltaics.

The situation is more challenging for existing buildings. TU Dortmund University is generally only a tenant of the buildings, many of which date back to the time the university was founded in the 1960s and some of which have a renovation backlog. The buildings are generally owned by BLB NRW. PV retrofitting was also not possible until 2024 because the building warranty prevented structural changes. Due to changes in the BLB's framework conditions, this can now be circumvented by adding an annex to the existing lease agreement. However, the roof areas would have to be retrofitted with PV systems using TU Dortmund University's own funds. In addition, it must be individually checked whether the statics and structural condition of the roof surfaces or potentially existing roof structures allow the installation of a PV system. In individual cases, a PV system has already been retrofitted using the university's own funds (e.g. on the roof of the experimental hall of the Institute of Machining Technology on South Campus). The installation of ground-mounted PV systems is therefore more efficient for TU Dortmund University than retrofitting on the relatively small roof areas of the existing buildings.

An open-field photovoltaic system was installed at the site next to the HVDC test center. The system i will be able to cover about five percent of the university’s electricity needs. A total of 3,650 solar modules were installed. Together, they generate about 1.7 MWp of power, enabling the university to increase its self-generated solar power tenfold.

(as of 11 September 2026)

A canopy is not a viable option due to the existing trees. The question of whether trees should be felled for photovoltaic systems is complex. Both the protection of trees and the expansion of renewable energies are important aspects. In principle, the felling of healthy trees cannot be justified without further ado, especially if alternative solutions to the installation of the solar system are possible and alternative areas are available. TU Dortmund University also wants to work towards counteracting temperature stress in design and construction measures on campus, e.g. by consistently increasing the number of deciduous trees in front of service buildings to shade and shade glass surfaces on buildings.

(as of 11 September 2026)

About 70% of the waste at TU Dortmund University is disposed of as mixed commercial waste through DOGA. This waste is sorted by machine; in the process, approximately 85% of the recyclable materials it contains - including packaging - can be sent for recycling. The remaining approximately 30% is disposed of as residual waste through EDG and incinerated. Under the City of Dortmund’s waste management regulations, TU Dortmund University is required to provide residual waste bins in a specified quantity. A separate collection system for packaging in offices or at central locations would require additional containers, services, and transport trips. The associated organizational and financial costs are currently disproportionate to the additional benefits. Waste paper, cardboard, Styrofoam, bulky waste, and hazardous waste are already collected separately. Additional collection bins - for example, for bottle caps, bottle corks, cigarette waste or smartphones - are currently not planned. Further information for employees is available at the Office of Occupational Safety, Environmental and Health Protection.

Whenever possible, plan business trips by train: According to the North Rhine-Westphalia State Travel Expenses Act, you may choose this option even if it results in higher costs or additional overnight or per diem expenses due to the longer travel time. For train trips lasting two hours or more, including transfer times, you may also travel in first class. Further information on business travel for employees is available on the  ServicePortal. TU Dortmund University employees can purchase train tickets through the ServicePortal at a reduced volume discount rate. For unavoidable travel, CO₂ emissions may be offset in certain cases, such as in specific DFG-funded research projects. Therefore, please review the respective funding conditions. The North Rhine-Westphalia State Travel Expenses Act does not currently provide for such offsetting. A comparison tool, such as EcoPassenger, can help you make an informed choice of transportation mode: It allows you to compare energy consumption as well as CO_₂ and air pollutant emissions from trains, cars, and airplanes.

Current situation:

There are currently no charging points available on the TU Dortmund University campus in the state-owned areas. There are 13 non-public charging points available for the TU Dortmund University vehicle fleet. More are planned with the conversion of the company car fleet to e-mobility. In addition, some charging points are operated as part of research activities. Members and guests of TU Dortmund University can only use publicly accessible charging points near the campus:

North Campus:

• Vogelpothsweg 74/in front of the sustainability office (eon, 2 charging points, type 2)
• Baroper Kirchweg 36/at Frischemarkt Barop (DEW21, 4 charging points, CCS and type 2)

South Campus:

• Corner of Stockumer Str./Baroper Str./at the H-Bahn stop "Eichlinghofen H-Bahn" (Comfortcharge, 2 charging points, CCS and type 2)

Planned measures:

100 AC charging points with load management to be set up for the TU Dortmund University campus were applied for via the BLB NRW AOLIS program (in German), of which 80 charging points will be set up on the North Campus and 20 charging points on the South Campus. The corresponding parking spaces will be available exclusively for vehicles with electric drives (including hybrids) for the charging period once the charging points have been installed. Unfortunately, there is currently no reliable information on the commissioning of the charging stations. According to estimates by the Corporate Center Construction and Facility Management, completion is expected in mid-2027. All charging stations will not be operated by TU Dortmund University, but by external service providers as public charging stations, which will also be used for charging roaming. Accordingly, TU Dortmund University will not develop or offer its own charging app and no app developments are planned at state level as part of the tender. The tendering process in the AOLIS program has not yet been completed and the provider has not yet been determined.

In addition, 16 DC/HPC charging points will be set up in the parking lot behind EF 50 at Vogelpothsweg 74 via the "Deutschlandnetz" (in German) funding program (at the turn of the year 2026/2027).

(as of 11 September 2026)

As part of a fare reform by the VRR, the “Ticket1000,” “BärenTicket,” and “YoungTicketPlus” subscription products have been discontinued. Under the name "Jobticket", these subscription products were previously offered to TU Dortmund University employees with a wholesale discount. As the conditions of the Jobticket and the Deutschlandticket are identical, TU Dortmund University will discontinue the Jobticket offer as of 31.08.2025. The state of NRW does not grant a subsidy on the Deutschlandticket and therefore does NOT provide it as a job ticket. A reduction in the cost of the Deutschlandticket is therefore unfortunately not possible.

TU Dortmund University is committed to increasing biodiversity on campus. Creating genuine wildflower meadows is relatively labor-intensive and costly: the soil must be prepared, the areas require special care, and they must be managed professionally on an ongoing basis. Previous flower strips could not be sustainably maintained due to a lack of maintenance capacity. With the current landscaping contract set to expire at the end of 2027, a new call for bids will be issued to find a specialized company capable of professionally establishing and maintaining wildflower meadows or flower lawns. Suitable areas on the South Campus will also be evaluated for new plantings. Not all areas are suitable, for example due to waterlogging, soil damage, or current use as a sunbathing lawn. The green spaces beneath the new ground-based photovoltaic system on the North Campus are also to be managed sustainably.

(as of 3 August 2026)

The Corporate Center Construction and Facility Management aims to avoid any avoidable tree felling and plans around the trees as best as possible. An application must be submitted to the city's Environmental Agency for any tree felling above a certain trunk diameter. They check whether a tree can be felled or not and do not always approve the felling. For every tree felled on campus, a replacement planting must be carried out to compensate for the tree, which means that two, three or more trees may have to be replanted if a larger tree is felled. The aim is for planting to take place in the same place wherever possible. If this is not possible, areas are currently being used for compensatory planting at HGÜ in Emil-Figge-Straße and between ZHB, FH Dortmund and Baroper Straße.

(as of 07 September 2026)

TU Dortmund University wants to work towards counteracting temperature stress in design and construction measures on campus, e.g. by consistently increasing the number of deciduous trees in front of buildings to shade or shade glass surfaces on buildings. For new buildings and building renovations, sustainable solutions are considered by the Corporate Center Construction and Facility Management and are included in the planning guidelines. For example, the roof of the new UB building designed as Efficiency Building 40 will be greened and rainwater will be collected. However, whether green roofs and facades are included in the considerations depends on the individual case. Retrofitting on the roof and facade areas of existing buildings outside of planned refurbishment measures is not ideal for various reasons. The buildings are not owned by TU Dortmund University, but by “Bau- und Liegenschaftsbetrieb NRW” (BLB NRW). The structural adaptations must meet the structural requirements, the warranty must be taken into account (which plays a role in particular with regard to the refurbishments) and, above all, the measures would have to be financed by TU Dortmund University from its own funds for a rented building. The so-called "green lecture hall" at Martin-Schmeißer-Platz was set up for lectures in the outdoor area.

(as of 07 September 2026)