Preparing for
the Future

To improve services for customers by enhancing reliability while keeping costs lower, EPB is investing in energy storage and microgrid technology as part of its Local Energy Mix strategy. With the multi-year goal of developing 150 MW of local energy resources, or 10-15% of peak demand, EPB made strong progress in the effort to enhance reliability, protect critical infrastructure and support faster outage restoration.

By storing electricity when supplies are abundant and using it when demand is highest, these systems also reduce peak power costs which helps keep electricity more affordable for customers over time.

• Added capacity: EPB increased energy storage capacity to 56 MW (122 MWh).
• Customer resilience: New microgrid technology provides backup power for more than 1,000 residential customers during outages.
• Essential services: Local energy resources help protect fire stations, community centers, grocery stores, schools, railroads and the Chattanooga Police Service Center.
• Lower costs: Cost-management benefits are expected to repay the initial investment in about five years while continuing to help keep costs lower for customers over time by reducing demand management fees.

EPB and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) expanded their longstanding partnership in 2026 to strengthen Chattanooga's growing quantum ecosystem and prepare the next generation of technology leaders. The collaboration increases access to education, research and workforce development opportunities tied to EPB Quantum Center℠, the nation's first facility to offer commercial access to both quantum computing and quantum networking:

• Strengthen the quantum workforce pipeline by adding roughly 135-240 faculty, staff and students over the next five years.
• Expand research programs in quantum algorithms, quantum machine learning, quantum networking and quantum sensing.
• Advance industry-aligned research to enhance energy systems and grid resilience, cybersecurity, infrastructure, transportation and mobility systems.

In 2023, UTC became the first American university connected to a commercially available quantum network through EPB Quantum Network^®. As one of EPB's longest-standing quantum partners, UTC is helping grow Chattanooga's quantum-ready workforce while advancing breakthrough ideas into real-world applications.

EPB launched a new Quantum Computing Fellowship in 2026 to help prepare the next generation of quantum professionals while strengthening Chattanooga’s growing innovation ecosystem. Supported by a $4 million National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) grant awarded in 2024, the program provides participants with hands-on training and real-world experience developing quantum solutions that can benefit EPB customers and the broader community.

The fellowship was created to support workforce development and help position Chattanooga as a hub for emerging technology talent.

The program reflects EPB’s long-term commitment to advancing innovation, workforce development, and economic opportunity through quantum technology. By helping develop a quantum-ready workforce locally, EPB continues building pathways for future careers while supporting the growth of Chattanooga’s emerging quantum ecosystem.