A Control Center for the Future: TVA’s Georgetown Operations Hub Paves the Way for a Two-Way Power System

From the earliest hydroelectric dams to today’s natural gas plants, nuclear facilities and solar investments, TVA’s mission has remained constant: Deliver safe, reliable, affordable power that supports the quality of life for the people of the Tennessee Valley. But the way that mission is carried out is changing.

In early 2026, TVA will cut the ribbon on its new Operations Control Center in Georgetown, Tennessee. More than just a state-of-the-art building, this new ops center represents TVA’s most significant investment yet in grid modernization — a purpose-built facility designed to handle the challenges of a rapidly evolving electric system. And perhaps more significantly, it lays the groundwork for deeper collaboration between TVA and local power companies (LPCs) in managing the two-way power system of the future.

Why a New Center Was Needed

The decision to build a new operations control center was made nearly a decade ago, long before today’s rapid industrial growth and Valley-wide demand surge. TVA recognized that its existing facility, located in the basement of an aging urban office building in the heart of downtown Chattanooga, was vulnerable to both physical and cyber threats. Meanwhile, the utility’s Energy Management System (EMS) was more than 20 years old and nearing its end of life.

“Really about a decade ago, we recognized that there’s unprecedented change coming for the utility industry,” said Greg Henrich, TVA’s Senior Vice President of Transmission & Power Supply. “Our energy management system was over 20 years old and nearing end-of-life. The timing looked right to launch a grid modernization effort so that we’re prepared for the changes in the industry that are coming.”

That foresight proved critical. Since TVA launched the project in 2018, Valley growth has accelerated beyond expectations. Post-pandemic onshoring of manufacturing, the expansion of data centers, and explosive residential growth across the Valley have all increased the pressure on TVA’s grid.

Tools for a Modern Grid

At the heart of the new control center is an advanced EMS with features that give operators new insight into grid performance and new ways to respond. One of the most powerful additions is a training simulator that functions like a digital video recorder. “We now have the ability to record an event, constantly capture the system in real-time, and then play that event back for operators,” Henrich explained. “They can learn how to respond to summer peaks, winter storms, or unexpected outages — seeing what their actions do to the system in a safe, simulated environment.” Other tools include:

• Stability monitoring: Detects oscillations in frequency and pinpoints the generating unit responsible, allowing TVA to act before instability spreads.

• Power flow visualization: Arrows on digital maps show the direction and magnitude of electricity flows, making it easier to understand the system at a glance.

• Intelligent alarming: Groups multiple alarms into likely root causes, helping operators quickly identify and respond to problems.

• Optimized dispatch: Uses transmission congestion and unit efficiency data to dispatch power at the lowest cost.

On top of these capabilities, a new video wall will provide layered situational awareness. Operators will be able to zoom from a Valley-wide view down to a single substation and overlay data such as weather forecasts, road maps and voltage levels. That precision means problems can be isolated and power restored remotely — sometimes before line crews have even rolled out.

Designed for Resilience

The Georgetown facility was also engineered to withstand the unthinkable. Built on a 166-acre site buffered by natural geography, the hardened structure is designed to survive an F5 tornado, seismic events or ballistic attacks. It features redundant power feeds, generators and battery systems to ensure operations can continue uninterrupted.

“This is a very purpose-built facility to withstand natural disasters, cyber threats, and physical attacks,” Henrich said. “It allows us to stay operational and respond to whatever the event might be which translates directly into faster restoration and enhanced reliability for customers.”

Direct Benefits for LPCs

For LPCs across the Valley, the benefits of TVA’s new control center will be both immediate and long term. Fiber expansion has already connected many substations that previously had little visibility to TVA’s operators. From the new control center, TVA can now reroute power more quickly during outages and restore service faster.

Perhaps more importantly, the EMS’ advanced dispatch algorithm promises lower costs across the system. By optimizing the use of generation resources, TVA expects to reduce fuel expenses and ease pressure on the fuel cost adjustment. “The efficiencies come from expanding our ability to control the bulk electric system and reroute power during interruptions, which enhances reliability for local power companies and customers alike,” Henrich noted.

Toward a Two-Way Power System

While reliability is the immediate payoff, the new control center was built with the future in mind. As LPCs deploy distributed energy resources (DERs) such as solar, battery storage, and demand response programs, TVA’s system operators will need new ways to coordinate those resources alongside TVA’s own generation.

“One of the reasons the control room is as large as it is, is because we expect expansion into functions we don’t have today, like a distribution system operator desk that could dispatch distribution resources 24/7,” Henrich said. “That will really strengthen collaboration as we more tightly integrate generation, transmission, and distribution.”

Jamie Bach, TVA’s Program Lead for Valley Vision, sees that integration as central to the utility’s long-term strategy. “The word that keeps coming to my mind is visibility,” Bach said. “This center provides a level of visibility into an integrated Valley grid that we don’t have today. That’s what transforms us into a true two-way power system.”

Valley Vision in Action

Bach emphasized that the new control center is not just a TVA investment, but also a Valley-wide opportunity. By linking TVA’s advanced EMS with LPCs’ growing fleet of DERs, both sides can create more value for the customers they serve.

“With the adoption curve of DERs across the Valley, sooner rather than later, there will be a need for these capabilities,” Bach said. “That’s why Greg carved this out in the new system operations center — it’s the forecasted need of the future.”

The vision is practical as well as aspirational. Imagine a future storm where TVA operators can see not only the state of the bulk system but also available LPC resources: battery storage in Middle Tennessee, a water heater demand-response program in Kentucky, or a thermostat program in West Tennessee. With that visibility, TVA could call on those distributed resources in real time, keeping the grid stable and avoiding widespread outages.

A Foundation for Collaboration

At its core, TVA’s Georgetown Operations Control Center is about building a stronger, more collaborative public power system. It ensures TVA can continue delivering reliable service in the face of growth, extreme weather and new technologies. And it creates the framework for TVA and LPCs to work together in ways that were impossible just a few years ago.

“This new control center unlocks future opportunities for DERs and helps us align TVA and LPC resources in a coordinated way,” Bach said. “It’s how we’ll meet the challenges of growth, weather, and customer expectations together.”