Elenia Institute Turns 100: A Century of Electrical Engineering Innovation
The elenia Institute for High Voltage Technology and Energy Systems in Braunschweig is set to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2025. Throughout its century-long history, the institute has been shaped by visionary leaders and groundbreaking research, contributing significantly to the field of electrical engineering.
The institute's story began in 1925 when Erwin Marx, a Dresden engineer, was appointed to the chair of high-voltage technology. Under his leadership, Braunschweig became a leading location for electrical engineering. Marx's most notable contribution was the invention of the Marx generator, enabling reliable testing of insulating materials' voltage resistance. This invention laid the foundation for the institute's future research.
During the Third Reich, Marx gained significant importance, joining the NSDAP and SA, and coordinating war-critical developments. However, his visionary program for high-voltage direct current transmission (HVDC) aimed to create a European HVDC network for transmitting cheap energy over long distances, a vision that transcended the political climate of the time. Post-war, Marx trained students who went on to hold leading positions in industry and academia, shaping the institute's future.
Since 2000, the institute has focused on challenges related to the energy transition, such as grid expansion, electromobility, and decentralized energy systems. Its current research focuses include the integration of renewable energies, electric vehicle charging behavior, and switching device analysis.
From its inception under Erwin Marx's leadership to its current focus on the energy transition, the elenia Institute for High Voltage Technology and Energy Systems has consistently pushed the boundaries of electrical engineering. As it approaches its centennial, the institute stands as a testament to the power of visionary leadership and dedicated research.
