The U.S. Department of Energy Clean Energy Cybersecurity Accelerator is accepting applications for distributed energy resources from cybersecurity solution providers.
These ideas should be intended to protect the modern electrical grid and expedite bringing tested solutions to the market, according to a June 6 news release. This initiative is managed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and is sponsored by the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response and in collaboration with the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
"We look forward to the application period and the first cohort of cyber solution providers through the Clean Energy Cybersecurity Accelerator," CESER Director Puesh Kumar said in the news release. "With world-class capabilities at National Renewable Energy Laboratory, technology innovators will have a platform to develop and deploy renewable, cost-effective, and secure grid technologies with a pathway to technical validation and demonstration.
"The program brings together federal capabilities and expertise, energy sector asset owners, and technology innovators to develop and deploy modern grid technologies that are not only cost-competitive but also demonstrate the highest level of security by design," Kumar added, according to the release.
"If we are to be successful in the deployment of clean energy technologies at scale, we must also ensure that our energy systems are secure and resilient to disruption," EERE Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Kelly Speakes-Backman said in the news release. "Through this testing platform, solutions providers will have the opportunity to test and validate technologies against the highest priority cyber threat scenarios, aiding in our efforts to outpace the speed of emerging threats to our evolving energy infrastructure."
The call for applications also has gone out over social media.
"Applications OPEN," CESER said in a June 6 Twitter post. "The Clean Energy Cybersecurity Accelerator is accepting applications from cyber-solution providers offering strong authentication for distributed energy resources to protect the grid + expedite solutions to market. Apply now!"
Up to five participants, who must be based in the U.S. and offer innovations centered on the cybersecurity topic priority, will be selected in the first cohort, according to the news release. The application portal closes 11:59 p.m. MT July 6.
