Physik Instrumente (PI) SE & Co. KG

Dr.-Ing. Fabian Sommer was awarded the PI Innovation Award this year for his dissertation, “Modeling, Design and Operation of a High Power Dual Active Bridge with focus on Parasitic Effects”. The awards ceremony took place on 31 July 2026. "With the PI Innovation Award, we want to recognize research that combines scientific excellence with tangible benefit. This dissertation impressively demonstrates how innovative basic research can pave the way for more powerful and efficient energy systems. These findings make an important contribution to the energy supply of the future," said Dr. Michael Albiez, CEO of PI. The award was presented by Dr. Steffen Schreiber, Director Global Innovation and Scouting at PI, and Dr.-Ing. Markus Simon, Strategic Innovation Management at PI. Congratulations!

ETI

The Electrical Engineering Institute (ETI) at KIT has installed an innovative photovoltaic system on its South Campus. The roof-integrated system, with a capacity of 113 kWp, generates approximately 109 MWh of electricity per year and covers about one-third of the institute’s energy needs. At the same time, it serves as a research platform for integrating photovoltaics, battery storage, and charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.

What makes this project unique is its implementation in compliance with historic preservation guidelines: The modules were installed partly as a flush-mounted in-roof system and partly as a rooftop system. A real-time dashboard in the entrance area displays current energy generation and consumption to raise awareness among students and visitors about sustainable energy solutions.

“This project demonstrates how historic buildings can be modernized while simultaneously generating scientific insights,” explains Prof. Marc Hiller, co-director of the ETI. The system reduces CO₂ emissions by 37.5 metric tons annually and underscores the ETI’s importance to the energy transition.

ETI

As part of the master's-level lecture “Power Electronics”, Prof. Marc Hiller visited the PCIM Expo & Conference in Nuremberg on 11 June 2026, with around 35 students.

At “Students’ Day,” organized by Messago Messe Frankfurt GmbH, the students were also able to participate in the PCIM Conference this year.

They took the opportunity to experience the latest developments in power electronics firsthand during a tour of the trade show. In addition, innovative technologies were presented as part of a wide-ranging program of presentations and lectures.

The Institute of Electrical Engineering (ETI) would like to thank the European Center for Power Electronics (ECPE) in Nuremberg for the excellent organization of Student Day, as well as the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology at KIT for covering the travel expenses.

ETI

On 23 April 2026, it was Girls’ Day again at KIT!

The ETI was one of a total of 79 (!) workshops on offer—and things were really moving here. Students in grades 5 through 7 dived into the world of electrical engineering and built their own electric motors.

With curiosity, skill, and lots of fun, all participants mastered the challenge—and by the end, everyone’s motor was running smoothly.

A special thanks to all the assistants who made this day at the ETI possible.