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SC NEXUS CONSORTIUM SPOTLIGHT:
ENTREPRENEURS IN ENERGY
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Participants in the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Exchange (eIX) Venture Studio project will enter the next phase of development by the end of this month. Six teams have been formed, with six pieces of intellectual property (IP) identified for potential market translation.
We thank our partners for their continued support and engagement with the eIX program. Each team will be connected with subject matter experts with each team as they conduct market research to better understand the technologies they have been matched with.
Consortium members interested in participating or learning more are encouraged to email Sam Christmus (schristmus@sccommerce.com).
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WHAT'S SPARKING CONVERSATION | | | | |
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SC NEXUS Advocates for Economic Development in the Nuclear Industry
The fifth annual Southeastern Energy Summit in Aiken, SC and Augusta, GA, gave SC NEXUS the opportunity to facilitate an engaging conversation about the future of energy infrastructure and grid technologies relevant to the economic development of both areas.
On Sept. 24., 2026, The Governor's Nuclear Advisory Council hosted its second meeting of the year. SC NEXUS presented the estimated economic impacts of nuclear lifecycle investment on local communities by analyzing sectors in materials processing and fuel fabrication and nuclear power generation. The Savannah River Site was also highlighted as it is widely accessible to major Southeastern economic centers and labor markets.
"If we can generate some interest by the industry in coming to South Carolina, our folks will have lots and lots of jobs and the revenue stream would be exceptional." - Governor's Nuclear Advisory Council (GNAC) Chairman Rick Lee.
To watch the full recording and review the meeting notes, click on this link.
During the third annual South Carolina Nuclear Summit on Sept. 29., 2026, SC NEXUS Executive Director Cristina Long Paredes spoke with Matt MacVicar with Rolls-Royce SMR Strategy and Business Development about the importance of small modular reactors in relation to impressive manufacturing capabilities, energy solutions and workforce development that breeds innovation in the nuclear sector.
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SC NEXUS RESOURCE CENTER UPDATE | | | | |
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Featured Members
and Consortium Wins
| | As SC NEXUS unlocks new collaborations, we are proud to announce progress with our project teams and the many doors opened to exciting growth opportunities. | | | | |
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The Nuclear Company Funds New Undergraduate Nuclear Research Scholarships at USC's Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing
The Nuclear Company announced that it will award 10 $10,000 scholarships to undergraduate students in the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing at the University of South Carolina. Recipients of the Palmetto Fleet Scholarship will work on research projects focused on the deployment and sustainability of nuclear fleets. Working alongside faculty members, students will have the opportunity to gain career experience and contribute to the growing demand for nuclear energy.
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SRNL Partners with 3D Systems to Advance 3D Printing for Advanced Energy and National Security Applications
The Savannah National River Laboratory (SRNL) and 3D Systems announced a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) to support the innovative manufacturing of “advanced energy generation and national security applications.” The agreement highlights the importance of 3D-printed-materials, draws on SRNL’s deep domain knowledge in nuclear materials and energy resilience, and will provide solutions for high-value industrial markets (nuclear energy, aerospace and defense, environmental technologies, etc.).
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University of South Carolina Researchers Land Major AI-Driven Grants from Department of Energy
Two faculty members from the University of South Carolina were awarded grants on their start-up projects in relation to the cause. Dr. Sourav Banerjee uses a model called ‘AI-STRATA3D’ to help experts make greater, rapid decisions on the disposal of nuclear waste while reducing environmental and water contamination. He leads this project with the Savannah River National Laboratory and Deep Isolation. David Tedeschi champions a project where AI is used to monitor various physics experiments, run simulations and build robust databases to better understand the basic structure and matter of the universe. These grants allow professors access to the ‘Genesis Mission’ platform, which houses advanced AI models and frameworks and high-performing computing resources.
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DOE Announces $50 Million Selection of Duke Energy to Strengthen Grid Reliability and Support Growing Communities in the Carolinas
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) selected Duke Energy through its SPARK program to support high-growth areas in Greenville, South Carolina; Spartanburg, South Carolina; Henderson, North Carolina; and Polk, North Carolina. The cooperative agreement is intended to optimize grid capabilities and capacity, lower costs for customers, improve critical infrastructure and strengthen reliability for homes and businesses across the Carolinas.
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GSSM Ranked Top School in South Carolina, #3 in the Nation by Niche.com
The Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics (GSSM) has risen to the No. 3 spot among the nation’s best public schools, according to Niche.com. As the No. 1 public school in South Carolina, GSSM aligns its goals with academic excellence, dedicated faculty and staff, community involvement and preparing graduates for success in higher education.
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Greenville Tech Plans AI and Cybersecurity Center
Greenville Technical College recently announced plans for a Center for Applied AI and Cyber Resiliency. Cybersecurity professionals are in high demand across the Upstate, where current estimates show the cybersecurity workforce supply meets just 83% of employer demand, according to Greenville Technical College. Students will gain hands-on experience through a student-led Security Operations Center, cyber defense training and AI-focused labs.
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NSF CAREER Award support Jalilvand's Work Towards More Powerful Batteries
University of South Carolina Engineering Assistant Professor Golareh Jalilvand has received approximately $550,000 through a National Science Foundation CAREER Award to investigate new ways to help rechargeable batteries store more energy and perform longer. Jalilvand’s research team will use lithium-sulfur batteries as a model to better understand what happens inside a battery.
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'Solar-plus-storage' is Having a Global Growth Spurt
Investment in solar-plus-storage is growing rapidly in 2026. Co-located energy storage, which involves storing energy in batteries or other units on-site alongside its energy source, grew 195% from the first half of 2025 to the first half of 2026. The United States is a strong leader in investment as the grid battery sector thrives, battery costs decline and technicians become more comfortable with installation and management. Proper energy storage helps manage fluctuations in solar generation by adjusting power based on prices and the grid’s energy needs.
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EIB Backs Finish Nuclear-Technology Company Steady Energy with €40 Million Financing
The European Investment Bank (EIB) announced its first investment of up to €40 million ($45.9 million) in Steady Energy, a nuclear technology company in Finland, to accelerate the development of a heat-only small modular reactor (SMR). Steady Energy’s SMR is designed to provide low-carbon heat to district heating networks in a cost-effective and safe way, helping cities and utilities reduce Europe’s reliance on fossil fuels and exposure to volatile energy prices. Commercial deployment is slated for 2028.
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CESER Announces Securing ENergy Technology ResiliencY (SENTRY) Award Recipients
The Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response (CESER) at the U.S. Department of Energy announced three recipients of the Securing ENergy Technology ResiliencY (SENTRY) award. In partnership with ConnectWerx, the projects will enhance the security and resilience of U.S. energy infrastructure while addressing challenges related to decentralized asset management system cybersecurity, counter-drone capabilities, energy risk quantification and industrial control system (ICS) cybersecurity.
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The South Carolina Power Team Named in '2026 TOP UTILITIES: Feeling the Surge'
Site Selection magazine recognized the South Carolina Power Team as one of its Top Utilities in Economic Development for 2026. The team’s efforts contributed to 27 project announcements, $72 million committed through 57 grants, the approval of a long-term workforce development program set to launch in fall 2026, and the approval of the first two projects under the Cooperative Loan Fund.
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The Battery Show
Join innovators, engineers and executives at The Battery Show 2026 for expo collaborations and conference sessions led by over 250 expert speakers covering battery development, energy storage, manufacturing, sustainability, EV technology and more. SC NEXUS will host a panel on Oct. 13.,2026, on battery innovation in South Carolina with panelists from the University of South Carolina, Duke Energy Corporation, Redwood Materials and EnerSys.
DETROIT, MI / October 12-15, 2026
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Energy Innovation & Regional Economic Growth
Bringing federally funded energy technologies into local economies takes coordination across labs, universities and economic development organizations. FedTech is hosting a webinar featuring representatives from Clemson University Research Foundation (CURF), Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) and SC NEXUS as they discuss how South Carolina is bringing those pieces together and what other regions can learn from its approach.
WEBINAR / OCTOBER 14, 2026
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Sustain SC 5th Annual Sustainability Symposium
The fifth annual Sustainability Symposium will be hosted by Sustain SC on Oct. 22, 2026. Keynote speakers and panel discussions will cover topics including on conservation, economic development and how to balance the data center expansion with natural resource protection.
COLUMBIA, SC / OCTOBER 22, 2026
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2026 NASEO Annual Meeting
This year marks the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO)'s 40th annual meeting elevating state and territory energy offices, their program innovations and collaboration with private-sector partners.
BOULDER, CO / OCTOBER 27-30, 2026
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To share job postings relevant to consortium members and advancing SC NEXUS’ mission, please email a link to the posting and the application deadline to SCNEXUS@sccommerce.com. | | | | |
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| SC Nexus for Advanced Resilient Energy | 1201 Main Street Suite 1600 | Columbia, SC 29201 US | | | | |
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