EPB will continue its decade-long partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to form a new research effort, Collaborative for Energy Resilience and Quantum Science (CERQS). Let's dive into what this means for Gig City.

The collaborative effort will build on $180 million in joint research while positioning Chattanooga directly in the center to utilize the city's "highly advanced" energy + communications infrastructure. CERQS will work on enhancing the national grid's security while also moving quantum technology forward in our everyday lives.

Need a refresher on what the tech quantum is? We've got you covered.

CERQS will focus on four main goals.

National leadership | Guiding the tech world with breakthroughs in quantum data like long-distance distribution, connecting diverse technologies + commercializing the supply chain.
Innovation | Enhancing energy security by studying and executing novel quantum + digital technologies, creating a grid system that is resilient, reliable, affordable, sustainable, and cyber-secure.
Workforce development | Supporting current and future quantum economies through partnerships in East Tennessee — from K-12th grade to higher education within colleges + businesses.
Economic development | Turning quantum technology into commercialized products over the next 10 years, with East Tennessee capitalizing on investment + creating new companies.

Fun fact: Over this 10-year partnership, EPB + ORNL have collaborated on 30 projects. You might recognize some of their joint efforts like using energy models to optimize power distribution + deploying solar microgrids.

"Today’s major announcement that EPB and ORNL are increasing their partnership to strengthen Chattanooga’s existing first-ever commercially available quantum network, the only in the world, is yet another significant milestone that will change how business and research is done," said US Representative Chuck Fleischmann.

Want to continue learning about EPB's ongoing quantum efforts? Read all about it.