Reinhausen Marks 100 Years of Jansen Patent at CWIEME 2026
Reinhausen marked the 100th anniversary of the Jansen patent at CWIEME 2026 in Berlin, bringing together customers, partners, and industry experts to reflect on a century of developments in power system technology and grid stability.
The original patent, filed in 1926 by Dr. Bernhard Jansen, introduced the resistor-type tap-changer, which has since become a key component in voltage regulation across global electricity networks.
Around 400 participants from more than 30 countries gathered in the “Reinhausen Dome” at Messe Berlin, where the company highlighted the evolution of energy technology and the role of collaboration in ensuring grid reliability.
According to Reinhausen, solutions based on the technology now regulate approximately 50 percent of global electricity flow, forming part of what the company describes as the “power triangle” between transformer manufacturers, grid operators, and Reinhausen itself.
“Today we are not only celebrating an invention and its central role in power grids to this day,” said Wilfried Breuer, member of Reinhausen’s Executive Board. “We are celebrating the people and partners who have worked with us over the decades to make electrical energy safe, efficient, and sustainably accessible—and who will shape the all-electric society with us in the future.”
The event combined historical perspective with future-oriented discussions on electrification, grid stability, and the increasing demand for flexible energy systems. Reinhausen executives stressed that while electricity remains a relatively small share of global energy use, its role is expected to grow significantly in the coming decades.
Keynote speaker Prof. Konstantin Papailiou, President of CIGRE, highlighted the importance of international cooperation in the energy transition. He noted: “There is no Plan B. The path to a decarbonized world that runs largely on electricity is our only logical future.”
Reinhausen, founded in 1868, employs around 5,500 people and operates in 27 countries, with its portfolio spanning load flow control, power quality, and grid asset reliability solutions.
Source: reinhausen.com
