Today Governor Josh Stein and North Carolina Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley celebrated the National Science Foundation’s selection of the NSF Grid Modernization Engine in the Carolinas as one of only 12 new NSF Regional Innovation Engines nationwide. This prestigious designation recognizes the strength of a regional partnership that will accelerate innovation, strengthen domestic manufacturing, and create new economic opportunities.
“The NSF Grid Modernization Engine in the Carolinas represents an historic opportunity for North Carolina and South Carolina to build on our shared strengths and establish the Carolinas as a global leader in energy innovation,” said Governor Josh Stein. “I look forward to watching this project fuel economic growth and fortify the domestic energy infrastructure essential to our national security."
Led by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, the Carolinas Grid Engine will receive an initial $15 million federal investment over the next two years and will have the potential to receive up to $160 million over the next decade as it achieves performance milestones.
The Carolinas Grid Engine unites more than 100 partners throughout North Carolina and South Carolina – including research universities, utilities, manufacturers, entrepreneurs, workforce organizations, nonprofits, and state agencies – to accelerate the development, testing, commercialization, and deployment of technologies that will strengthen America's electric grid while creating new jobs and business opportunities in the region.
“North Carolina’s First in Opportunity strategic economic development plan recognizes that partnerships are essential to innovation and long-term prosperity,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. “The Carolinas Grid Engine brings together the talent, ideas and resources of two states to transform breakthrough research into new companies, high-quality jobs, and lasting economic growth. Congratulations to UNC Charlotte and every partner whose collaboration made this remarkable achievement possible.”
The NSF Regional Innovation Engines program supports regional coalitions that translate cutting-edge research into new technologies, companies, and jobs. The Carolinas Grid Engine will focus on modernizing the nation’s electric grid by advancing research and development, strengthening domestic supply chains, supporting entrepreneurship, expanding workforce training, and improving grid reliability and resilience.
“Our two states—and, frankly, the nation—are facing mounting energy-related challenges around availability, reliability and affordability, while also working to deploy generation resources that are increasingly clean,” said Jennifer Mundt, Assistant Secretary of the N.C. Department of Commerce’s Office of Energy and Infrastructure. “This NSF award meets the moment by hastening the development and adoption of technologies designed to address these challenges head-on.”
The award also reflects years of collaboration among public, private, and nonprofit partners throughout the Carolinas. The N.C. Department of Commerce, through the North Carolina Board of Science, Technology & Innovation, has worked alongside research institutions, industry leaders, and economic development organizations to help build the region’s innovation ecosystem.
“This award validates years of collaboration among our universities, industry leaders, utilities, entrepreneurs, and state partners to build one of the nation’s most competitive innovation ecosystems,” said Dr. John Hardin, Executive Director of the North Carolina Board of Science, Technology & Innovation at the N.C. Department of Commerce. “The NSF Engines program is about translating world-class research into real economic impact. The Carolinas Grid Engine will accelerate commercialization, support startup growth, strengthen domestic manufacturing, and prepare the workforce needed to modernize America’s electric grid. This investment will help ensure the Carolinas remain a national leader in turning research into economic opportunity."
UNC Charlotte Chancellor Sharon Gaber said the designation represents the power of sustained regional collaboration.
“This award reflects years of collaboration across the Carolinas and demonstrates what is possible when higher education, industry, and government work together around a shared vision,” said Gaber. “UNC Charlotte is honored to lead this extraordinary partnership as we work together to strengthen our regional economy and help solve one of our nation’s most important infrastructure challenges.”
Dr. John Daniels, Vice Chancellor for Research at UNC Charlotte and principal investigator for the NSF Grid Modernization Engine in the Carolinas, said the initiative is designed to accelerate innovation by connecting research, industry, and workforce partners across the region.
“Grid modernization cannot happen through isolated efforts,” said Daniels. “The Carolinas have assembled an unmatched coalition of partners with the expertise, industrial capacity, and collaborative spirit needed to move breakthrough technologies from the laboratory to the marketplace. Together, we're building an innovation ecosystem that will strengthen America’s energy future while creating economic opportunity throughout our region.”
With this award, North Carolina becomes the only state in the nation with three NSF Engines. The other two Engines—awarded as part of the first NSF Engines cohort in January 2024—are the NSF Textile Innovation Engine in North Carolina, based in Morganton, with a Region of Service that includes all of North Carolina and portions of South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia; and the NSF Regenerative Medicine Engine in North Carolina, based in Winston-Salem, with a Region of Service that includes all of North Carolina.
Selected through one of the National Science Foundation’s most competitive funding programs, the Carolinas Grid Engine joins a national network of innovation ecosystems focused on strengthening America’s technological leadership, expanding domestic manufacturing, improving supply chains, and enhancing U.S. economic competitiveness. The initiative also advances North Carolina’s First in Opportunity Strategic Economic Development Plan by strengthening innovation ecosystems, supporting a future-ready workforce, and expanding economic opportunity across the state.
About the N.C. Department of Commerce
The N.C. Department of Commerce is the state’s lead agency for economic, community, and workforce development. The department works with local, regional, and statewide partners to support job creation, strengthen communities, and expand opportunity for all North Carolinians.