2026 Summer Field Tour - Charlotte, NC

Thank you to everyone who joined us for CCF’s Summer Field Tour in Charlotte, NC! Check out what we were up to and learn more about the sites we visited below.

Charlotte Hub Manufacturing Tour

The first stop was Siemens Energy’s Charlotte Hub, which manufactures and services gas turbines, combustion components, steam turbines, and generators. We heard from their team about how Siemens Energy is working to strengthen American energy security, bolster the U.S. electric grid, and produce for the future. In addition to the critical work that is already occurring, Siemens Energy recently announced a $1 billion investment in American manufacturing, including an expansion of the Charlotte Hub to produce large power transformers.

Lincoln 17 Natural Gas Tour

The next stop was to Duke Energy’s Lincoln 17 facility, home to their most efficient gas turbine, which received the Guinness World Record for most powerful simple-cycle gas plant in 2022. Lincoln 17 is considered a peaker plant, which provides power when electricity demand spikes, and Duke Energy is working to ensure it operates as efficiently as possible. 

We also met with Duke’s manager of Integrated Resource Planning (IRP), who works to quantify risks and ensure that all energy resources are being utilized to their greatest potential. IRP is critical for planning for load growth and extreme weather events, and they are working to meet the moment we are currently experiencing, especially with data centers coming online. 

Birdsong Brewing Tour

We toured Birdsong Brewing, a local brewery with a strong focus on sustainability. From a rooftop solar installation and a pollinator garden to several other initiatives that reduce emissions, the team at Birdsong is working to protect the environment throughout the beer making process. 

Regulated Renewables Operations Center Tour

Finally, we concluded the field tour at Duke Energy’s Regulated Renewables Operations Center (RROC). RROC is a 24/7 centralized hub monitoring over 5,500 megawatts of regulated solar, hydropower, and battery storage. Duke’s energy portfolio continues to grow, meeting increasing demand throughout the region and ensuring reliability for their customers. The tour spurred a lively conversation about the importance of a modernized grid and transmission system.