DOE to create clean energy manufacturing innovation institute
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy is looking to create a new Clean Energy Manufacturing Innovation Institute to develop technologies to advance U.S. manufacturing competitiveness, energy efficiency, and innovation.
Specifically, this proposed institute will focus on Cybersecurity in Manufacturing, which involves understanding the evolving cybersecurity threats to manufacturing industries and developing new cybersecurity technologies and methods. The idea is to share this information with U.S. manufacturers.
“As the sector-specific agency for cybersecurity in the energy sector, it is our job to make sure energy technologies across the board are best prepared against cyber threats,” Under Secretary for Energy Mark Menezes said. “Today’s announcement highlights the increasing importance cybersecurity plays in energy efficient manufacturing, and this Institute will develop and leverage innovative solutions to current and future challenges.”
The DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) issued a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) this week entitled “Clean Energy Manufacturing Innovation Institute: Cybersecurity in Energy Efficient Manufacturing.”
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“The manufacturing sector can further improve its energy efficiency with new sensor and control technologies, but these technologies present cyber vulnerabilities that must be addressed,” Assistant Secretary for EERE Daniel Simmons said. “This Clean Energy Manufacturing Innovation Institute will enhance the cybersecurity of energy-efficient manufacturing processes, accelerating the adoption of these technologies in the marketplace.”
The EERE’s Advanced Manufacturing Office will oversee this FOA. It will likely include two technical areas of interest — securing automation and securing the supply chain. EERE plans to issue the FOA in the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2019.
