Welcome at the Institute of Electrical Engineering (ETI)
At the Institute of Electrical Engineering (ETI) of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), experts in power electronics, electrical machines, drive control, and energy storage systems conduct research. With about 70 employees, interdisciplinary cooperation of these neighboring research areas takes place in order to improve the increasing requirements in terms of power density, functionality, and energy efficiency and to create innovations.
In addition to research and teaching, the ETI is working on a wide range of projects in close cooperation with industry and public project sponsors to find innovative solutions and concepts for the future. In addition, the ETI offers an extensive equipment pool in which prototypes are built and tested for use.
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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.
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.
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.
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The Südwestmetall Research Award recognizes outstanding research. The ETI is pleased to announce that this year’s recipient is Dr.-Ing. Rüdiger Schwendemann, who was honored for his dissertation titled “Highly Dynamic Grid Emulator Based on a Series Hybrid Converter.” The award ceremony took place on 22 April 2026, in Stuttgart. The award was presented by Cornelia Koch, Managing Director of Südwestmetall, and Peter S. Kraus, Chairman of Südwestmetall. Congratulations!
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