The transformation of America’s century-old electric grid is spreading more energy sources throughout the system and managing them with electronics rather than mechanical equipment. It is also rapidly incorporating larger electricity users such as AI data centers. To keep pace with these changes, Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers are developing and testing new technologies, simulation tools, cyber protections, and platforms for real-time monitoring and situational awareness. ORNL’s broad infrastructure research portfolio provides a uniquely holistic approach to modernizing the grid for the next century.
Research focuses on providing affordable, reliable and secure electricity by tackling challenges in grid operation, capacity and planning. Solutions range from hardware and software to innovative materials and manufacturing processes. These advances are combined with unique datasets, grid simulation, visualization and analysis, and other tools to support decision making. Together, they help build a resilient grid that is less vulnerable to natural disasters, cyberattack, and unreliable foreign supply chains.
ORNL experts collaborate with industry partners using AI, real-world grids, and quantum and high-performance computing. These tools help move innovations rapidly into the American energy system to increase grid energy capacity, reduce the frequency and length of outages, and lower electricity costs. As the grid becomes more complex, pathways for interference multiply. ORNL infrastructure security experts work with partners to identify and eliminate the vulnerabilities embedded in grid components. They also probe and reduce risks posed to energy supply chains and the transmission system.
The Next-Generation Data Centers Institute (NGDCI) serves as a clearinghouse for ORNL research on secure grid integration of AI data centers without compromising grid reliability. The institute will focus on AI data center aspects such as power system architecture, operation and load management, secure design, advanced cooling, and integrated systems modeling to anticipate impacts on generation, transmission, distribution, materials, workforce, and regional economies.
NGDCI will strengthen U.S. leadership in AI and enable economic growth while reducing risks to grid security, supporting states and utilities in infrastructure planning, and protecting residential electricity customers from hidden cost burdens.
ORNL leverages its Manhattan Project legacy of operating a utility-scale electricity distribution system, enabling validation of new technologies from the smallest device up to substations managing major loads. Its longstanding relationship with the Tennessee Valley Authority laid the groundwork for close collaboration with utilities and grid operators to responsively focus research on industry-recognized challenges. Today, ORNL uses a portion of its own electrical network, complete with energy sources, loads and grid energy storage, as a test site for full grid management systems.
The Grid Research Innovation and Development Center (GRID-C) at ORNL is a spectrum of facilities and expertise that serves as a platform for pioneering research in grid systems integration, modeling, energy storage, analytics, and security.
The Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility (OLCF) accelerates scientific discovery with world-leading computational performance including the world’s first exascale supercomputer, Frontier, and the imminent addition of the Lux AI cluster.
The Quantum Science Center is a consortium of national laboratories, academic institutions, and industry pursuing a fault-tolerant quantum high-performance computing (QHPC) ecosystem.
