SC, NC gets $160M NSF award to modernize power grid amid surging demand from EVs, AI
North and South Carolina received a federal award of up to $160 million from the National Science Foundation to modernize their power grids. This investment aims to prepare the region's energy infrastructure for surging electricity demand driven by electric vehicles, mobile devices, and AI data centers. The collaborative effort involves the South Carolina Research Authority, major utilities, and technical colleges.
The National Science Foundation has awarded North and South Carolina an initial $15 million, with the potential to reach $160 million over ten years, to modernize the energy grid across both states. The investment is intended to develop new technologies to improve and prepare the existing power system for future demand from electric vehicles, mobile devices, and artificial intelligence data centers.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster stated the funding will help the region meet future demand, support economic opportunities, and maintain leadership in innovation and job creation. Catherine Hayes, director of industry solutions at the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA), noted that SCRA and its partners were among 12 groups nationwide selected for this initiative. SCRA will lead efforts to translate innovations in hardware and software from research institutions and startups into products for adoption by utilities and manufacturers.
The grid modernization initiative is a collaborative effort involving SCRA, utilities such as Duke Energy, Dominion, and Santee Cooper, and technical schools including Trident Technical College and York Technical College. Emily Tyner, corporate communications manager for Santee Cooper, emphasized the importance of grid upgrades due to South Carolina's rapid growth. Project leaders highlighted that the work focuses on improving reliability and efficiency by optimizing existing infrastructure to meet the unprecedented energy demand driven by expanding industry, population growth, and AI data centers in the Carolinas.