The South Carolina Department of Commerce announced a major step forward in regional energy technology, as the NSF Grid Modernization Engine in the Carolinas received up to $15 million for its first two years from the U.S. National Science Foundation. The initiative could secure up to $160 million over the next decade.
The program, known as the Carolinas Grid Engine, was chosen from nearly 300 national applicants. Led by UNC Charlotte alongside more than 100 partners—including the South Carolina Research Authority—the effort spans 36 counties across both North and South Carolina to advance clean energy research, manufacturing, and workforce training.
The project aligns directly with SC NEXUS, South Carolina’s statewide tech hub designed to accelerate resilient energy technologies. A cornerstone of the initiative is Clemson University’s Economic Development through Grid Emulation testbed, located at the Charleston Innovation Campus. Powered by the Duke Energy eGrid at the Dominion Energy Innovation Center, the facility allows industry leaders to test next-generation power grid systems.
With assistance from SC NEXUS, Clemson has introduced a mobile grid emulator to expand on-site testing capabilities throughout the Southeast, allowing researchers to simulate electrical grids from anywhere in the world.
Building on SC NEXUS’s 2024 federal Tech Hub designation, the joint effort aims to bridge the gap between academic research and commercial technology, positioning the Carolinas as a primary hub for energy reliability, corporate investment, and high-tech job growth.
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