Targeted toward improving the cybersecurity of U.S. energy systems, $12 million in funding has been confirmed for six research, development and demonstration projects.
According to a Department of Energy (DOE) press release, the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response will finance six university groups to make progress on projects to defend the security and resiliency of America’s power grid. The schools selected are Florida International University, Iowa State University, New York University, Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, the University of Illinois at Chicago and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
“This funding will bolster our commitment to a secure and resilient clean energy future by fortifying American electricity systems and building a stronger grid," U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm said in a press release.
Elected officials also commented on the merits of the funding.
“As the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, no issue keeps me up at night more than our nation’s cyber vulnerabilities — especially those that may exist within the critical infrastructure sectors that power our nation. I’m thrilled to see these federal dollars go toward supporting Virginia Tech in developing cutting-edge tools to strengthen the cyber defenses of our electric power systems," U.S. Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) said in a DOE press release.
