Grid Modernization Engine in the Carolinas Earns National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engine Designation

This initiative will receive up to $160 million in federal funding over ten years, with founding partner, York Technical College, coordinating workforce development to prepare the skilled talent needed to advance grid modernization.

York Technical College has announced it is a founding partner in the NSF Grid Modernization Engine in the Carolinas (Carolinas Grid Engine). The Engine, led by UNC Charlotte, is one of America's newest NSF Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) selected by the U.S. National Science Foundation. The award includes an initial $15 million investment over two years, with the potential for up to $160 million over the next decade based on performance milestones.

York Technical College serves as the workforce development partner for the Carolinas Grid Engine and will coordinate efforts across 36 counties in North and South Carolina. The college will play the critical role of preparing skilled workers through certificates, apprenticeships, and degree programs in industrial and engineering technologies. With strong relationships with industry leaders and support from state-funded employment training programs, York Technical College is well-positioned to provide the talent pipeline needed for this transformation.

“A modernized energy grid requires more than new technology; it also requires a workforce prepared to power it,” said Stacey Moore, president of York Technical College. “Through the Carolinas Grid Engine, York Technical College is developing a talent pipeline through hands-on training and career pathways that connect students to high-demand opportunities across the Carolinas.”

Led by UNC Charlotte, the Carolinas Grid Engine will develop, test, commercialize, and deploy technologies that address one of the nation's most pressing infrastructure challenges: modernizing the electric grid. It is one of only 12 engines selected from nearly 300 teams that entered the national competition and is designed to build a nationally significant innovation cluster that accelerates technology deployment while strengthening the regional economy.

The engine is expected to strengthen the regional economy by accelerating technology commercialization, supporting startup creation, expanding workforce development opportunities, and attracting additional public and private investment. Collectively, partners project that the initiative will generate more than $2 billion in economic impact and create or retain more than 20,000 jobs across the Carolinas, while helping to position the region as a national hub for energy innovation and advanced manufacturing.

“NSF Engines’ investments in critical technologies and future industries will transform America’s innovation infrastructure for decades to come," said Brian Stone, performing the duties of the NSF director. “The NSF Grid Modernization Engine will strengthen U.S. energy security, meet rising energy demand, and train the workforce of the future while building economic stability across the Carolinas.”

The engine will accelerate the adoption of solutions that improve grid reliability, strengthen domestic supply chains, and help the United States meet rapidly growing electricity demand driven by artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, data centers, and population growth

Spanning a 36-county region, the Carolinas Grid Engine brings together more than 100 universities, utilities, manufacturers, entrepreneurs, workforce organizations, investors, economic development organizations, and state and local governments to create a nationally significant innovation ecosystem for grid modernization. In addition to York Technical College and UNC Charlotte, Clemson University, the South Carolina Research Authority, Joules Accelerator, and E4 Carolinas are serving as core partners. Among the coalition's many other partners are Duke Energy, Dominion Energy, Santee Cooper, EPRI, Siemens Energy, Honeywell, Nucor, and the North and South Carolina Departments of Commerce.

“A reliable and resilient energy supply is critical to South Carolina’s continued success. This award will help strengthen our ability to meet future demand, support economic opportunity, and ensure the Carolinas remain leaders in innovation and job creation,” said Henry McMaster, South Carolina Governor. “We are proud to celebrate the partners who helped secure this award and grateful for the strong collaboration across the Carolinas that made it possible."

The designation enables the initiative to move into its implementation phase, activating plans developed during the engine's two-year development period. Additional announcements, including the selection of the engine's permanent CEO, are expected in the coming months.

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Media Contact:
Amanda Kaufmann, Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing
York Technical College 
Email: AKaufmann@yorktech.edu  
Cell: 803-280-3242