The Energy Department has allocated approximately $50 million for early-stage research and development projects of DOE’s national laboratories with the goal to increase the security and resilience of the country’s energy infrastructure.
DOE said Tuesday it awarded grants for seven Resilient Distribution Systems projects, which will develop grid technologies and support grid modernization activities, via the Grid Modernization Laboratory Consortium.
The department also issued grants for 20 cybersecurity projects that seek to protect the country’s electric grid, oil and natural gas infrastructure through R&D work on cyber technologies.
Energy Secretary Rick Perry said that the investment will help develop new real-world technologies that the energy sector can utilize to boost the capacities of the energy infrastructure.
The investment also builds on the department’s efforts to foster the rapid development and adoption of tools and technologies that help boost the resiliency, security and reliability of electricity systems.