The US Department of Energy (DOE) has announced $45m for 16 projects to protect the nation’s energy sector from cybersecurity threats.
In support of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda, DOE’s investment will help develop new cybersecurity tools and technologies to reduce risks to the US’s energy sector.
The selected projects will bolster the resilience of America’s energy systems, including the power grid, electric utilities, pipelines, and renewable energy generation sources like wind and solar.
The announcement underscores President Biden’s commitment to securing the US’s energy and national security, ensuring that power flows safely and reliably to communities across the country.
US Secretary of Energy Jennifer M Granholm said: “DOE is committed to strengthening the nation’s energy sector, including protecting it against current or emerging cyber threats that would threaten Americans’ access to secure, reliable energy.
“With today’s announcement, the Biden-Harris Administration is helping help teams across the country develop innovative next-generation cybersecurity solutions for tackling modern day challenges.”
Importance of preventing cybersecurity threats
Cybersecurity threats can disrupt the reliable flow of energy to homes, businesses, and communities.
The investment will address a wide range of current and emerging cybersecurity threats facing energy systems in the US.
More investment into cybersecurity is vital to achieving clean energy and climate goals, as well as ensuring a reliable supply of energy for Americans across the country.
Innovative cybersecurity solutions
The projects, selected by DOE’s Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response, will help to develop innovative solutions to address cybersecurity threats across the energy sector.
The 16 projects are located across six states and aim to support the advancement of a secure, resilient, and reliable energy system.
DOE is partnering with industry stakeholders, vendors, national laboratories, and academic institutions to tackle some of the most pressing issues in energy cybersecurity.
Selected projects include:
Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. (EPRI) (Palo Alto, CA)
EPRI will develop an advanced AI and data processing capability to detect and respond to cybersecurity threats in control system endpoints at the grid edge.
General Electric, GE Research (Niskayuna, NY)
GE research will use quantum communication to securely communicate time-sensitive coordination messages. These are important to power grid resilience.
Georgia Tech Research Corporation (Atlanta, GA)
The group will develop a ‘DerGuard’ framework using AI techniques for automated vulnerability assessment in DER devices.
Iowa State University of Science and Technology (Ames, IA)
Iowa State University will develop technical solutions to be incorporated within the initial stages of the future DER-integrated grid infrastructure development lifecycle.
This will enable a more resilient operation of critical control functions.
Funding negotiation process
Selection for award negotiations is not a commitment by DOE to provide funding.
Before funding is issued, DOE and the applicants will undergo a negotiation process.
DOE may cancel negotiations and rescind the selection for any reason during that period.
