Energy Department announces $70M for advancing cybersecurity in energy efficient manufacturing

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced this week up to $70 million for the Clean Energy Manufacturing Innovation Institute to conduct early-stage research for advancing cybersecurity in energy efficient manufacturing.

“Improved cybersecurity can reduce risks as well as catalyze adoption of more energy efficient technologies in the manufacturing industry,” U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry said. “This Institute will conduct early-stage research to help U.S. manufacturers remain resilient and globally competitive against cyberattacks.”

DOE identified Securing Automation and Securing the Supply Chain Network as two major high priority challenge areas in which collaborative research and development (R&D) can help U.S. manufacturers remain resilient and globally competitive against cyberattacks.

The Institute will pursue early stage R&D focused on understanding the evolving cybersecurity threats to enhanced energy efficiency in manufacturing industries, developing new cybersecurity technologies and methods and sharing information and knowledge to the broader U.S. manufacturing community. The Institute will also address the education and training needed for cyber-secure automated sensors to enable greater manufacturing energy efficiency.

The DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s Advanced Manufacturing Office will fund the Institute. It will be co-managed by DOE’s Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response. DOE plans to fund one new award for up to five years, subject to appropriations. Concept papers are due on May 15.