A history of leadership in energy and electrical grid innovation

UNC Charlotte’s William States Lee College of Engineering, an energy-innovation leader for nearly two decades, steadily built its research capability, partnerships and workforce to support one of America’s most urgent infrastructure challenges: the modernization of the national electric grid.

In 2008, the college’s early work in power systems and energy infrastructure accelerated with the launch of the Energy Production and Infrastructure Center. Established through major public and private investment, EPIC explores and tests solutions to the rising challenges facing industry partners in energy production, transmission and distribution. At the forefront: development of a pipeline of skilled engineers to replace an aging workforce. In response, EPIC has served as a catalyst for the expansion of UNC Charlotte’s energy-focused curriculum, research enterprise and specialized facilities.