RALEIGH, N.C. — The National Science Foundation (NSF) has selected the Grid Modernization Engine in the Carolinas as one of 12 new NSF Regional Innovation Engines across the United States. Announced by Governor Josh Stein and North Carolina Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley, this distinction highlights the potential for collaboration between North and South Carolina in advancing energy innovation. The project, led by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, aims to modernize the electric grid, creating economic opportunities and strengthening domestic manufacturing.
The Carolinas Grid Engine, a collaboration of over 100 partners, will receive an initial $15 million federal investment over two years, with the possibility of up to $160 million over the next decade. The initiative includes research universities, utilities, manufacturers, entrepreneurs, and various organizations working together to develop and deploy technologies to enhance America’s electric grid. This effort is expected to create jobs and business opportunities in the region.
North Carolina Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley emphasized the importance of partnerships in innovation, stating that the Carolinas Grid Engine harnesses resources from both states to transform research into economic growth. The NSF Regional Innovation Engines program supports regional coalitions that translate research into new technologies and companies, enhancing the nation’s technological leadership and competitiveness.
Jennifer Mundt, Assistant Secretary of the N.C. Department of Commerce’s Office of Energy and Infrastructure, pointed out the significance of the award in addressing energy-related challenges such as availability, reliability, and affordability. The initiative is designed to hasten the development of technologies to meet these challenges effectively.
This award marks the third NSF Engine for North Carolina, joining the NSF Textile Innovation Engine and the NSF Regenerative Medicine Engine. The Carolinas Grid Engine will focus on advancing research, supporting entrepreneurship, and expanding workforce training, aligning with North Carolina’s First in Opportunity Strategic Economic Development Plan to bolster innovation ecosystems and economic opportunity.
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