The NCInnovation Grant that Strengthened UNC Charlotte’s NSF Engines Bid
When the National Science Foundation (NSF) announced UNC Charlotte (Charlotte) as a finalist in its highly competitive Regional Innovation Engines program, it marked a milestone not only for the university but also for Charlotte’s emergence as a national hub for energy innovation. Part of that success was due to the Grid Ancillary services with Uninterruptible Power Supply (GAUPS) technology and the NCInnovation grant that is helping GAUPS become a commercially viable product.
For years, advanced manufacturers, hospitals, and data centers across the Carolinas have battled costly disruptions from power quality events. Even millisecond “flickers” can shut down production lines, destroy sensitive equipment, and result in millions of dollars in losses. Traditional uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems offer some protection, but they are often prohibitively expensive and provide no benefit to the broader grid.
GAUPS was designed as a win-win solution. Developed by Dr. Sukumar Kamalasadan at Charlotte, the technology ensures uninterrupted, high-quality power for sensitive facilities while also delivering ancillary services back to the grid, improving overall reliability and resiliency. At a time when renewable energy, electric vehicles, and data centers are putting unprecedented stress on the distribution grid, GAUPS represents the kind of transformative solution the U.S. energy system desperately needs. “The NCInnovation support came at a critical time for us to overcome the challenges the research team faced to transition from lab to field deployment, and we are very grateful for this support,” said Dr. Kamalasadan.
The leap from promising lab research to a commercially viable product is often called the “valley of death,” a stage where most innovations fail because of the high cost and complexity of validation. NCInnovation’s grant was the bridge GAUPS needed to cross that valley.
The grant provided funding, structure, and mentorship that is allowing Dr. Kamalasadan’s team to advance GAUPS from Technology Readiness Level (TRL, a framework used to measure how close a technology is to commercialization) 4/5 to TRL 6, moving beyond theoretical proof into rigorous, real-world testing with a major utility partner. With NCInnovation’s support, GAUPS is being evaluated under simulated grid conditions, measuring critical performance metrics like switching speed and interoperability with battery and inverter systems.
Equally important, NCInnovation guided the commercialization process, helping build the startup Scenergy, connecting the team with an Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR), and providing financial support for the EIR role.
This trajectory — from university research to startup formation and industry testing — is precisely what the NSF Engines program seeks to fund at scale. GAUPS exemplifies applied research transitioning into commercialization through strong partnerships, and it highlights Charlotte’s leadership in grid modernization.
“Being named an NSF Engines finalist is a tremendous recognition of UNC Charlotte’s leadership in tackling one of our region’s most pressing challenges, modernizing the electric grid,” said John Daniels, Vice Chancellor for Research and Principal Investigator on the Engines proposal. “It affirms that our University is not only conducting world-class research but also shaping real-world solutions that matter to communities, businesses and national security.”
By demonstrating that patented university technology is already moving to market with industry collaboration, GAUPS provides NSF reviewers with a clear, credible example of why Charlotte is ready to lead an Engine.
Charlotte is making a bold push to become a national center for grid modernization, AI, and cybersecurity. Anchored by the North Tryon Tech Hub in Uptown, this vision complements The Pearl innovation district’s focus on medical technology, creating multiple hubs of innovation across the city. Projects like GAUPS show that Charlotte’s vision isn’t theoretical — it is already happening.
“This recognition underscores what it means to be Charlotte’s public research university,” Daniels added. “We are convening partners across the Carolinas — from industry leaders like Duke Energy and Siemens to national laboratories and community colleges — to create an energy-focused innovation ecosystem that fuels regional growth.”
Looking ahead, GAUPS could make Charlotte a national showcase for energy technology innovation and commercialization. By solving costly power quality challenges, the region strengthens its ability to attract and retain advanced manufacturing, healthcare, data centers, and technology industries that depend on reliable power.
“Partnering with NCInnovation is vital because it strengthens the state’s capacity to move discoveries from the lab to the marketplace,” Daniels emphasized. “Together, this work can create a sustainable energy ecosystem that drives economic growth and extends opportunity well beyond our major metro centers.”
The broader implications are profound. If Charlotte wins an NSF Engine, the region could see up to $160 million in federal investment, with ripple effects that draw billions more in private capital.
“That translates into new companies, new jobs and new opportunities across our two-state region,” said Daniels. “It also means preparing a highly skilled workforce that will lead in fields like nuclear reliability, AI-enabled grid automation and renewable energy integration.”
NCInnovation’s role in this journey cannot be overstated. By funding and mentoring GAUPS at its most critical stage, NCI provided the proof point UNC Charlotte needed to strengthen its NSF Engines bid. It showed that when state investment is paired with university research, industry collaboration and entrepreneurial spirit, North Carolina can compete at the highest national levels.
