North Carolina State University will formally open its center on Tuesday.
The so-called FREEDM center is funded by the National Science Foundation as a research center with $18 million in support.
The center is to focus on renewable energy and a “smart grid” for better distribution of energy gathered through such sources as wind farms and solar panels. It will be based at NCSU’s Centennial Campus.
FREEDM also is to receive $10 million in support from other institutions and private industry. More than 65 businesses and utilities have already committed to support the center.
