The University of South Carolina (USC) has received a significant boost in its effort to advance battery research for electric vehicles, with a grant of $10.2 million from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. This investment forms part of a larger $45 million federal grant and will be directed towards USC’s forthcoming Carolina Institute for Battery Innovation.

Investment in Battery Research

Public and private investment in battery research is increasing rapidly in South Carolina, with USC emerging as a significant player. According to William Mustain, a professor at USC and the appointed director for the Carolina Institute for Battery Innovation, several companies are expressing interest in learning more about battery technology from the university.

The considerable $10.2 million funding received by USC is not an isolated grant, but a component of a broader award of $45 million, granted to SC Nexus. SC Nexus is a consortium of various partners channeling their efforts towards improving clean energy supply chains and developing cyber-secure grid resilience technologies across the state.

SC Nexus: A Key Player

SC Nexus was selected out of approximately 400 applicants in the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s initial competition, which designated 31 official Tech Hubs. Of these, SC Nexus is amongst 12 fortunate recipients that have been awarded funding in the current round of grants.

USC stands as a founding member of the SC Nexus consortium, which now includes more than 50 members and multiple core partners. These include other renowned names such as Clemson University, Savannah River National Laboratory, South Carolina Council on Competitiveness, South Carolina State University, and the South Carolina Technical College System.

A Boost for the Local Economy

The association of USC with SC Nexus underlines the university’s crucial role as an economic stimulant for South Carolina. By fostering innovation and workforce development, the university is helping to drive the state’s progress. The effort is expected to positively impact the Midlands and Upstate regions of South Carolina, as well as neighboring counties such as Aiken and Orangeburg.

In terms of job creation, the consortium aims to generate a considerable number of long-term positions, with a goal to source 40% of these jobs from underserved and rural communities. The statewide effort led by USC and SC Commerce is designed to foster the development of a new community of researchers, entrepreneurs, and start-ups.

USC President, Michael Amiridis, expressed pride in the university’s key role in this enterprise. He emphasized that the national recognition USC and the state of South Carolina have received demonstrates their capacity to innovate and bring new ideas to the market. Such unity and collaboration amongst universities, industry, and state partners only affirm New South Carolina’s potential for success.

Final Thoughts

The generous funding received by USC is indicative of the broadening scope of research and development within the realm of battery technology and clean energy. By striving to improve clean energy supply chains and develop secure grid resilience technologies, South Carolina can hope to stay at the forefront of the burgeoning electric vehicle industry, thereby generating more jobs for the local economy.