In business, location is everything. The South Carolina Department of Commerce’s vision is to embrace the future while ensuring the state’s sustainable growth and creating economic opportunity for all South Carolinians — from launch to legacy. South Carolina’s prime East Coast location and strong transportation infrastructure give companies efficient, reliable access to multiple markets.
South Carolina has a long history as a leader in manufacturing, infrastructure and business innovation. State leaders recognized that accelerating energy innovation by leveraging South Carolina’s manufacturing base and research capabilities can deliver solutions that advance both national and global energy needs.
As power demand increases across industries, the need for reliable, high-quality energy continues to grow. South Carolina is at the center of this national conversation. The state is home to more than 200 active organizations across the energy value chain, including laboratories and research and development institutions. With the technology, talent and vision in place, South Carolina is positioned to lead. Pro-growth policies streamlined permitting and strong state support give companies a clear path from planning to production. Global companies, including EnerSys, Eaton, Schneider Electric, eVAC, Westinghouse, Bosch and Redwood Materials are already investing billions in the state, drawn by its speed-to-market advantages and stable regulatory climate.
SC NEXUS: Develop. Test. Deploy.
In 2022, with funding from the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, the U.S. Economic Development Administration launched the $10 billion TechHubs Program to expand innovation beyond traditional technology centers.
SC NEXUS for Advanced Resilient Energy was selected as one of 31 designees and awarded $45 million, becoming a federally designated Tech Hub through the U.S. Department of Commerce. Housed within the South Carolina Department of Commerce, SC NEXUS accelerates energy innovation by helping companies test, develop and deploy new technologies. The initiative leverages the state’s manufacturing strengths and research expertise through public-private partnerships.
SC NEXUS is advancing grid security, battery technology and workforce development in partnership with the University of South Carolina, Clemson University and Savannah River National Laboratory. Nationally recognized testbeds — including Economic Development through Grid Emulation, the Grid-Enabled Cyber Operations Range and the Carolina Institute for Battery Innovation — give companies and entrepreneurs early access to development, testing and deployment capabilities. These assets help businesses refine solutions, reduce barriers and bring technologies to market faster.
Through collaboration with more than 50 organizations, including economic development groups, industry leaders and research institutions, SC NEXUS creates market opportunities, accelerates innovation at a global scale and strengthens domestic energy assets across South Carolina.
Workforce development is critical to the growth of the energy sector. The SC NEXUS Education and Workforce Center, led by the South Carolina Technical College System, aligns industry needs with education and training through partnerships that span early education, technical training and direct-to-industry career pathways. Employers play a direct role in shaping talent pipelines by helping design programs that meet real-world workforce demands. The center delivers hands-on training and career-connected education aligned with advanced energy jobs across the state.
The energy landscape is changing. Now is the time to invest in South Carolina’s energy future. In coordination with the South Carolina Department of Commerce, SC NEXUS invites companies, innovators and capital partners to explore its testbeds and discover a state ready to test, develop and deploy the next generation of energy technologies — from launch to legacy.
