Biden-Harris Administration’s Tech Hubs Program Awards Approximately $45 Million to SC Nexus for Advanced Resilient Energy in South Carolina to Strengthen the Region’s Capacity as a Global Leader in Clean Energy
Contact: EDA Public Affairs Department, [email protected]
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), has announced that it is slated to award approximately $45 million to SC Nexus for Advanced Resilient Energy (SC Nexus), a consortium led by the South Carolina Department of Commerce, to implement four projects that will bolster the region’s ability to scale up the production and delivery of critical technologies that will strengthen America’s clean energy transition.
In October 2023, SC Nexus for Advanced Resilient Energy was selected as one of 31 Designated Tech Hubs in regions across the country as part of Phase 1 of the new Tech Hubs Program, a flagship initiative aimed at advancing U.S. leadership in critical technologies and industries. The designation is a strong endorsement of the consortium’s regional plan to supercharge its respective critical technology ecosystem and become a global leader over the next decade.
“Every American deserves the opportunity to thrive, no matter where they live. Today’s announcement that the Department of Commerce is investing $504 million in Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs across the country will ensure that the benefits of the industries of the future – from artificial intelligence and clean energy, to biotechnology and more – are shared with communities that have been overlooked for far too long, including rural, Tribal, industrial, and disadvantaged communities,” said Vice President Kamala Harris. “These Tech Hubs will give regions across our nation the resources and opportunities necessary to lead in the economy of tomorrow while creating good-paying jobs for American workers.”
“President Biden has been clear that you shouldn’t have to move to one of a handful of cities to get a good-paying job in tech. Now, thanks to the Tech Hubs program, we’re making good on that sentiment by expanding America’s innovation ecosystem and creating economic opportunity in new technology sectors all over the country,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “Thanks to President Biden’s commitment to his Investing in America agenda, the SC Nexus for Advanced Resilient Energy and the other Tech Hub awardees will play a critical role in accelerating America’s leadership in the industries of the future, all while creating high quality, family-sustaining 21st century jobs in people’s backyards.”
As one of 12 Tech Hub Designees selected for implementation funding, SC Nexus for Advanced Resilient Energy will leverage this award to support projects that are:
- Expanding pilot manufacturing infrastructure to accelerate innovation and commercialization of battery energy storage systems at reduced costs and with improved features;
- Upgrading an existing grid testing facility for grid resilience technologies (GRTs) to create a versatile, reconfigurable, and mobile 25MW test facility and real-time power grid emulator;
- Developing a full-scale multi-modal grid operations center to conduct cyber-physical assurance on grid hardware and software, and train grid cyber defenders;
- Raising awareness about GRT careers, provide skills training, and address the lack of critical support services like childcare and transportation which inhibit greater workforce engagement; and
- Establishing a division within the South Carolina Department of Commerce dedicated to the Hub, granting it full access to the ancillary capabilities of the full agency, including communications, compliance, and legal.
The final grant amount will be finalized in the coming months.
The SC Nexus for Advanced Resilient Energy (SC Nexus) aims to be a global leader in advanced energy, with a focus on cyber-secure grid resilience technologies (GRT) and improving the clean energy supply chain. This Tech Hub will leverage the region’s manufacturing base, research capabilities, and public-private collaboration to innovate and commercialize emerging energy storage materials and manufacturing techniques, including a demonstrative microgrid implementation that integrates renewable energy and storage into the state’s electricity systems. This Tech Hub will also expand opportunities for developing, testing, and deploying exportable electricity technologies regionally. In doing so, SC Nexus will contribute to economic and national security by expanding the availability of GRTs and enabling greater deployment of distributed energy resources (DERs) that will fortify energy supplies, promote decarbonization, and reduce grid disruptions. The SC Nexus Tech Hub seeks to remove barriers for GRT advances and increase likelihood of commercialization by providing the infrastructure to test and demonstrate new advanced energy technology, including battery energy storage systems (BESS). (Click here to learn more about the SC Nexus Tech Hub)
“The Department of Commerce is laser focused on expanding economic opportunity to every corner of this country,” said Deputy Commerce Secretary Don Graves. “The Tech Hubs program is a commitment to American economic prosperity and success. These 12 awardees embody the innovation and creativity that can be found nationwide, boosting U.S. manufacturing and bolstering U.S. global competitiveness, bringing President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to the forefront.”
“The 31 Tech Hubs Designees exemplify place-based economic development strategies at their best: combining federal resources with regional assets, expertise, and coalitions to implement transformational opportunities,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “We’re excited to see this initial round of implementation funding supporting a surge of new jobs, new technologies, and new energy to bolster America’s competitiveness.”
“This funding is great news for South Carolina. Out of hundreds of applications, our state was chosen as one of twelve tech hubs to receive funding to focus on the increasing energy demands and needs of our nation. The more efficient the grid, the better our economy and environment,” said South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham. “Hats off to the South Carolina Department of Commerce and all those involved in putting this application together. In particular, I’d like to acknowledge both Governor McMaster and Congressman Clyburn who went over and above to make the case for our state. They are indispensable when it comes to getting results for South Carolina. I believe that the best is yet to come when it comes to advocating for our state.”
“Georgia remains on track to become the nation’s advanced energy capital, powered by Federal infrastructure and manufacturing legislation,” said Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff. “Today’s Federal grant announcement through our bipartisan CHIPS Act is a testament to Augusta and Georgia’s research, logistics, workforce, and entrepreneurial assets. I congratulate Mayor Garnett Johnson, the Augusta Commission, and all local leaders involved, and I thank President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Secretary Raimondo for their continued collaboration as we lead Georgia forward.”
“Having just delivered historic nuclear energy reforms through Congress, I’m pleased to see SC Nexus move into Phase 2 of the Tech Hubs Program as they receive $45 million to bolster reliable, affordable, and clean energy for Americans,” said Representative Jeff Duncan (SC-03). “South Carolina is home to experts on nuclear energy who will lead the nation in energy grid resilience and reliability. I’m proud to have worked to make America energy independent while ensuring jobs for South Carolinians.”
“I’m pleased the SC Nexus for Advanced Resilient Energy has been awarded $45 million to bolster their efforts to deliver critical, cutting-edge technology right here in South Carolina,” said Representative James E. Clyburn (SC-06). “The Palmetto State has long been at the forefront of technological innovation. This program, with the funding provided by President Biden’s CHIPS and Science Act, will help strengthen our commitment to innovation by providing South Carolina’s best and brightest with the tools necessary to lead our nation toward a clean energy future.”
The Tech Hubs Program was authorized by the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, a key part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, which he signed into law in August 2022. The statute authorized $10 billion for the program over five years. To date, EDA has been appropriated $541 million for the program.
The United States is the global leader in research and development, and the Tech Hubs Program is designed to increase the capacity and pace with which Americans make, deliver, and deploy innovative technologies, creating new, growing companies and new, good jobs.
Read more about the Tech Hubs program at TechHubs.gov.
About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.