Aug. 7, 2026 — S&C Electric Company and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory have expanded their collaboration through a new umbrella Cooperative Research and Development Agreement aimed at advancing technologies for a more resilient, reliable and modern electric grid.
The agreement creates a framework for joint research and development in areas including grid modernization, grid resilience, power reliability, electrification and emerging grid technologies. The partnership combines Argonne’s scientific research capabilities with S&C’s expertise in designing and manufacturing distribution-grid technologies.
Ernst Scholtz, chief technology officer at S&C Electric Company, said the electric grid must evolve to meet growing and shifting demands, as well as external pressures that have changed since the grid was originally designed. He said the collaboration is intended to help move promising innovations from the laboratory into technologies that can help utilities improve reliability, strengthen resilience and meet rising grid demands.
As electricity demand increases, infrastructure ages and extreme weather places greater stress on the grid, the expanded partnership is designed to accelerate the transition of scientific discoveries into practical applications. The companies said the collaboration will help power operators prepare for the changing needs of the energy system.
Monica Neukomm, director of the Electric Grid Program at Argonne National Laboratory, said close collaboration between industry and national laboratories will be needed to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving electric grid. She said the expanded partnership with S&C provides a platform for technologies that improve grid reliability, resilience and performance while supporting the deployment of innovative energy solutions.
The new agreement builds on previous work between Argonne and S&C, including efforts to co-develop advanced ceramic-polymer insulation materials for medium- and high-voltage grid equipment under the Department of Energy’s Transformer Resilience and Advanced Composite program.
Using Argonne’s expertise in materials design, processing, characterization and testing, the teams are studying advanced material systems that can withstand higher temperatures and electrical stress while supporting longer equipment lifetimes and improved grid performance. If successful, the research could help guide future insulation systems across S&C distribution-grid technologies.
The umbrella CRADA is expected to broaden the organizations’ research into additional areas of mutual interest and support the development of technologies intended to strengthen grid reliability, meet growing electricity demand and enhance U.S. energy security.
