Focusing on the future

group of government and EPB Executives posed in front of servers

EPB Quantum Network℠ establishes groundwork for growth

Following its launch in 2022, EPB Quantum Network continued to reach new quantum firsts, including welcoming its first customer in late 2023: Qunnect, a leader in quantum-secure networking technology. Through a series of on-site validation runs, EPB worked with Qunnect and Qubitekk to accomplish another quantum industry first: operating their hardware to jointly support a distribution protocol on a commercial quantum network.

With Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (above, center), EPB and ORNL announced the new Collaborative for Energy Resilience and Quantum Science (CERQS). CERQS builds upon 10 years of collaboration between EPB and ORNL in joint energy-related research. New work will focus on technologies and best practices for enhancing the resilience and security of the national power grid while accelerating the commercialization of quantum technologies.

“There's tremendous potential for ORNL to build on our work with EPB. By bringing together our respective research capabilities and cutting-edge deployment, we can substantially advance research and move it toward practical application and commercialization.” — Stephen K. Streiffer, ORNL Director

EPB bucket trucks working on lines in the snow

Enhancing infrastructure to further strengthen resilience

In October 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) awarded Chattanooga $32.3 million in Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) funding, which EPB will use to strengthen the resilience of local power services and create more job opportunities.

“Every EPB customer will benefit from these projects.” — David Wade, EPB CEO

EPB is prioritizing work in areas that most frequently experience power disruptions from storm damage and other causes:

  • Add 15 MW of storage through six 2.5 MW battery installations, primarily in rural and underserved areas.
  • Invest to move 101 miles of overhead power lines to underground lines.
  • Improve electric system resilience by replacing 1,338 power poles to significantly prevent and minimize damage and outages to withstand future severe weather.

In accordance with the U.S. DOE GRIP program's emphasis on enhancing economic opportunities, EPB will also utilize the funding in pursuit of its continuing mission to serve the community by establishing partnerships that increase local job opportunities through training and other programs.

group of young students posed together

Workforce development

EPB's mission to improve quality of life in our community includes the employees of tomorrow. Because our services and infrastructure deployments also create future opportunities, EPB supports students who will be valued members of Chattanooga's workforce in the years to come.

EPB supports STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) programs across Hamilton County to empower developing talent, reach underserved communities and enrich our community today.

  • ArtSpark Goes to School completed the program's sixth year, engaging about 850 students in a curriculum to learn about electricity while creating artwork for public spaces. Since the program was launched, ArtSpark has engaged more than 4,000 students and the selected student designs have beautified 58 utility boxes.
  • EPB Future Ready Institute of Technology and Networking at Tyner Academy's curriculum provides training in computer systems and networking skills to prepare students for technology careers.
  • Gig City Goes Quantum℠ delivers educational opportunities to students K-12, collegiate and postgraduate educational institutions to prepare Chattanooga for the Quantum Age.

“Students represent the future leaders of our community who are better prepared because of programs like this.” — Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly