EPB and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have announced a new research collaboration, the Collaborative for Energy Resilience and Quantum Science (CERQS). The initiative will focus on enhancing the resilience and security of the national power grid and accelerating the commercialization of quantum technologies.
U.S. Representative Chuck Fleischmann and ORNL director Dr. Stephen K. Streiffer were present for the announcement. The collaboration will build on previous joint projects, including the development of advanced energy models and quantum cybersecurity technology. EPB and ORNL have also partnered with Los Alamos National Laboratory and Qubitekk, Inc. on quantum cryptographic technologies.
EPB and Oak Ridge National Laboratory Announce New Research Collaboration
EPB and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have announced a new joint research effort, the Collaborative for Energy Resilience and Quantum Science (CERQS). This collaboration builds on a decade of joint energy-related research, amounting to $180 million.
The focus of CERQS will be to utilize Chattanooga’s advanced energy and communications infrastructure to develop technologies and best practices for enhancing the resilience and security of the national power grid. Additionally, the collaboration aims to accelerate the commercialization of quantum technologies.
U.S. Representative Chuck Fleischmann, Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Dr. Stephen K. Streiffer, director of ORNL, were present for the announcement. Fleischmann emphasized the importance of the Chattanooga-Oak Ridge partnership in advancing science, technology, and research, and its significant economic impact on the Southeastern United States.
Past Collaborations and Future Goals
EPB and ORNL have previously collaborated on nearly 30 funded projects. These projects have included the development of advanced energy models, the use of predictive algorithms to identify potential energy equipment failures, and the deployment of dynamic microgrids. The new collaboration aims to build on these successes and further advance research towards practical application and commercialization.
Quantum cybersecurity technology has been a significant focus area for the joint effort. With funding from the Department of Energy, EPB, ORNL, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), and Qubitekk, Inc., have demonstrated quantum cryptographic technologies across a fiber optic network. This project won an R&D 100 Award and led to the launch of the EPB Quantum NetworkSM powered by Qubitekk, America’s first commercially available fiber optic network designed for accelerating the commercialization of quantum technologies.
Strategic Goals of CERQS
CERQS will focus on four strategic goals: national leadership in quantum science and technology, energy security innovation, workforce development to support the quantum economy in East Tennessee, and economic development that moves quantum technology from research to commercialization over 10 years.
David Wade, CEO of EPB, expressed optimism about the potential of the collaboration to enhance power grid security and reliability both locally and nationally. Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly and Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp also expressed their support for the initiative, highlighting its potential for innovation, job growth, and workforce development.
About EPB and ORNL
EPB is a technology company that delivers innovative power and telecommunications solutions to the Chattanooga area. It operates the world’s fastest community-wide internet service today at speeds up to 25 Gig and utilizes Chattanooga’s fiber optic network as the communications backbone for a highly automated power distribution system. In 2022, EPB established the nation’s first commercially available quantum network—EPB Quantum Network℠ powered by Qubitekk.
ORNL is managed by UT-Battelle for the Department of Energy’s Office of Science. The laboratory’s diverse expertise enables the translation of scientific discoveries into new technologies that address national priorities. The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the U.S.
