Among the strengths of EPIC — UNC Charlotte’s Energy Production and Infrastructure Center — is its ability to prepare students for careers of today and tomorrow in the energy industry. Its state-of-the-art research center offers students opportunities to participate in applied research that is vital to EPIC’s industry partners, and access to networking with partner experts.
Earlier this year, EPIC’s project to improve the resilience and reliability of the regional power grid was one of ten selected nationwide — and the only one in North Carolina — for support from the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office. This $3.6 million award follows similar support in 2020 to continue research underway by a public-private partnership that includes UNC Charlotte, the North Carolina state government, utility companies, industry and several other universities to develop advanced microgrid control architecture.
UNC Charlotte’s faculty are leading the way in this specialized field, and our alumni who have entered energy-based careers are applying research knowledge acquired at UNC Charlotte to industry challenges that will, hopefully, lead to a more stable power grid.