Matthew BoyleThe US Department of Energy (DOE) is allocating $70 million through the All-Hangers Energy Resilience program to enhance the resilience of US energy systems against online and physical threats. Under the supervision of the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response (CESER), this funding will support innovative projects aimed at mitigating risks posed by cyberattacks, natural disasters, and climate change-induced weather events.
US Secretary of Energy, Jennifer Granholm, emphasizes the significance of these investments in bolstering energy infrastructure resilience while advancing clean energy and climate goals set by President Biden. The initiative will fund up to 25 research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) projects, with each project receiving between $500,000 and $5,000,000.
The initiative encourages participation from diverse stakeholders, including public and private sector entities, universities, federal laboratories, and state and local governments. CESER encourages applicants to propose creative and flexible solutions that surpass conventional approaches, fostering innovation and resilience in energy systems.
Key project areas include cyber development and research to enhance cybersecurity measures, research and development for climate mitigation to address climate change impacts on energy infrastructure, wildfire mitigation strategies to protect against wildfire damage, and initiatives focused on natural security to enhance protective measures at utility power plants.
Moreover, the initiative emphasizes university-based research and development, aiming to integrate academic expertise in enhancing cyber and cyber-physical security in the energy sector. Qualified applicants from Historically Black Colleges and Universities are encouraged to participate, promoting diversity and inclusion in project teams.
Fortifying US Energy Resilience: Investments in Cybersecurity and Climate Mitigation Strategies
To protect US energy systems from online and physical threats, the US Department of Energy (DOE) will invest $70 million.
The funding, which will be provided by the All-Hangers Energy Resilience program, will go toward projects creating technologies that lessen the risks that cyberattacks, healthy disaster, and weather events brought on by climate change pose to US energy systems.
The funding will be made available to public and private sector stakeholders, universities, and DOE’s National Laboratories under the supervision of the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response (CESER).
The funding will support cutting-edge strategies that boost US energy systems resilience
The US Secretary of Energy, Jennifer Granholm, remarked on the historic funding opportunity, saying: “Making smart investments in America’s energy systems today is important to ensure they’re more dependable and resilient against future threats while also achieving President Bidens ambitious clean energy and climate goals.”
These investments will help save money over time as we create our clean energy future by identifying and creating cutting-edge solutions that guarantee our country’s energy infrastructure can withstand new threats and the difficulties of a changing world.
Innovative Solutions for Energy Resilience: DOE’s Inclusive Funding Initiative
The initiative is prepared to provide funding for up to 25 research, development, and demonstration ( RD&, D) projects, each costing between $500 000 and $5 000 000.
DOE is urging participation from a variety of organizations, including universities, nonprofit and for-profit businesses, federal laboratories, state and local governments, and Cultural Nations, in order to emphasize inclusivity.
CESER invites applicants to create creative, flexible solutions that go beyond traditional methods. Awardees are urged to promote original thinking and steer clear of the traditional “one size fits all” model.
Advancing Energy Resilience: Targeted Research Initiatives and University Collaboration
There are numerous project areas that have been suggested.
Cyber development and research
The risks of cyberattacks on energy systems are increased by the ever-expanding modern world. These initiatives seek to strengthen cybersecurity safeguards and lessen risks to the infrastructure for energy delivery.
Research and development for climate mitigation
Serious weather, rising temperatures, and increases in sea level put a strain on critical energy infrastructure. These initiatives concentrate on developing and putting into practice cutting-edge solutions to lessen the effects of climate change on energy transmission and improve reliability.
Research and development for wildfire mitigation
Communities, ecosystems, and energy systems are all severely damaged by wildfires. In order to strengthen resilience, sustain operations during extraordinary events, and hasten recovery, these projects aim to identify strategies to fortify infrastructure against wildfires.
Research and development in natural security
Real security risks at utility power plants include vandalism, sabotage, and nuclear damage. Existing protective measures, like access control, physical barriers, and video surveillance systems, are ineffective at reducing intrusions and damage. These initiatives seek to improve existing methods.
University-based research and development
By integrating university-based research, these projects seek to improve the cyber and cyber-physical security status of the electronic sector. The White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through Historically Black Colleges and , Universities must be represented by qualified applicants from previously charcoal colleges and universities. Educational institutions must be included in project teams, along with stakeholders in the energy sector or solution providers.
