Elenia Institute Marks 100 Years of Shaping Energy Supply
The elenia Institute for High Voltage Technology and Energy Systems in Braunschweig marks its 100th anniversary this year. Established in 1925 with the appointment of Erwin Marx, the institute has played a pivotal role in electrical engineering, shaping today's energy supply practices.
Marx's appointment in 1925 launched the institute's independent electrical engineering department. He invented the Marx generator, enabling reliable testing of insulating materials' voltage resistance. This innovation attracted international attention to the university. During the Third Reich, Marx's importance grew as he headed 55 electrical engineering institutes and coordinated war-critical developments.
Post-war, Marx's influence continued. He trained students like Adil Erk and Karl Brinkmann, who held leading positions in the industry and academia. Under his leadership, a new building was constructed in 1929, facilitating large-scale tests under realistic conditions and making Braunschweig a leading location for electrical engineering. Marx's visionary program for high voltage direct current transmission (HVDC) aimed to transmit cheap energy over long distances, with plans implemented decades later. The institute's research shifted towards plastic insulation, switchgear technology, and electromagnetic compatibility, ensuring its long-term stability and relevance.
The elenia Institute for High Voltage Technology and Energy Systems celebrates its centennial with the 'Festkolloquium elenia 100' on October 1 and 2, 2025. With a history spanning a hundred years, the institute has made significant contributions in insulation testing, switching and rectifier device development, and high-voltage direct current transmission. Today, its research focuses include the integration of renewable energies, electric vehicle charging behavior, and switching device analysis, reflecting its commitment to shaping the future of energy systems.
