The Renewable Energies Laboratory R.E.L. is located behind the new dormitory buildings at ISA UNIVERSITY, where the classroom-workshop in apiculture donated by Helvetas took place. The laboratory is an investment of ISA University in future-oriented technology and is supported by DAAD, German Embassy in Santo Domingo, GIZ, Lumijor Bakery, Edulink II Program of the ACP Secretariat of the European Union, JICA and further donors. The equipment consists of gasification devices - including a gasifier, equipment to measure the energy potential of different raw materials, a pelletizing machine, a diesel engine and a compressor – biodiesel manufacturing systems in a experimental and a commercial scale as well as aquaponic systems with integrated photovoltaic units.

The R.E.L is not seen as an additional or separate department, but as a unit at the level of a faculty linking the four departments Agriculture, Veterinary Science, Forestry/Ecology, and Food Technology. Renewable energy has been established as a priority in the strategic plan of ISA UNIVERSITY, which is why it is investing human capital in such an important task. Due to the fact that the integrated CIM Expert ended his contract in the Dominican Republic, the university has hired Ing. Julián Cuervo, who was trained in mechanical engineering, developed his research thesis in the area of biodiesel and has additional experiences in the energy field. Furthermore, a assistant is keeping the laboratory in optimal conditions of ornamentation.

Due to the good relations established with the German government, we are enjoying the assignment of German volunteers within the framework of the weltwärts-program through Ecoselva to contribute to the different areas of the university. They have given an outstanding work in the deanery of the faculty of agri-food sciences as well as the R.E.L.