DOE announced on September 23 the investment of more than $30 million for 10 projects that will address cybersecurity issues facing the nation's electric grid. Eight projects will research, develop, and commercialize a comprehensive range of cybersecurity solutions for the grid, many of which will also apply to the Smart Grid. For example, Sypris Electronics will enhance the security of the Smart Grid meters at residences, ensuring the data remains private through the use of electronic data keys.
Two additional projects will support a new National Electric Sector Cybersecurity Organization (NESCO). The Energy Sector Security Consortium, Inc. will form NESCO, a broad-based, public-private partnership that will work to improve electric sector computer and network cybersecurity, including the security of the Smart Grid. Working with DOE and other federal agencies, NESCO will bring together domestic and international experts to assess, analyze, and disseminate information about electric infrastructure weaknesses and threats. Meanwhile, the Electric Power Research Institute will conduct research, assessments, and analyses of cybersecurity requirements in support of NESCO.
DOE also released the 2010 U.S. Smart Grid Vendor Ecosystem Report, which shows the level of commercial activity being generated by the Smart Grid. The report highlights $2.75 billion in annual product sales in three key Smart Grid categories: advanced metering infrastructure, demand response, and distribution grid management. See the DOE press release : http://www.energy.gov/news/9539.htm
And the complete list of projects : http://www.energy.gov/news/documents/Cybersecurity-Selections.pdf
The EERE Network News is funded by DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and is also available on the EERE Web site: http://www.eere.energy.gov
