"DOE Announces $45 Million for Next-Generation Cyber Tools to Protect the Power Grid"
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a $45 million investment to develop, accelerate, and test technology that will protect the electric grid from cyberattacks. Cybersecurity threats to American energy systems have the potential to disrupt energy supply, the economy, and the health of American consumers. When combined with the additional grid upgrades funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, the US will have an opportunity to strengthen the energy sector's cyber defenses. Up to 15 research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) projects will be funded, with the goal of developing new cybersecurity tools and technologies to reduce cyber risks to energy delivery infrastructure. Building a strong and secure energy infrastructure across the country is critical to President Biden's goal of achieving a net-zero carbon economy by 2050. This funding will provide the tools for a strong, resilient, and secure electricity grid that can withstand modern cybersecurity threats and deliver energy to every pocket of America, according to US Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. The 15 research projects will form or strengthen existing research collaborations with energy sector utilities, vendors, universities, national laboratories, and service providers to develop resilient energy delivery systems. Researchers will work to create tools and technologies that will allow energy systems to recognize a cyberattack autonomously, attempt to prevent it, and automatically isolate and eradicate it with no disruption to energy delivery. As clean energy technologies deployed on the grid become more automated, cybersecurity remains a top priority. The projects' proposed topic areas are divided into six categories, which include "Automated Cyberattack Prevention and Mitigation," "Security and Resiliency by Design," "Authentication Mechanisms for Energy Delivery Systems," "Automated Methods to Discover and Mitigate Vulnerabilities," "Cybersecurity through Advanced Software Solutions," and "Integration of New Concepts and Technologies with Existing Infrastructure." This article continues to discuss the DOE's announcement of a $45 million investment aimed at helping make American energy systems secure, resilient, and reliable.
DOE reports "DOE Announces $45 Million for Next-Generation Cyber Tools to Protect the Power Grid"