The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced a new request for proposals (RFP) and $1.36 million in selections for projects that will accelerate the adoption of Smart Manufacturing practices. These initiatives support efforts to spur innovation, create a highly skilled Smart Manufacturing workforce and reduce the carbon footprint of the manufacturing sector.
DOE's Clean Energy Smart Manufacturing Innovation Institute (CESMII), which supports advances in smart sensors and digital process controls, will manage these projects.
"Smart Manufacturing will make the American manufacturing sector more productive, more energy-efficient, and more competitive on a global scale," said assistant secretary for energy efficiency and renewable energy Kelly Speakes-Backman. "DOE's investments in Smart Manufacturing will accelerate the adoption of these technologies and processes, helping companies to create new, integrated systems and support their competitiveness around the world."
Through the new RFP, CESMII will expand its Smart Manufacturing Innovation Centers (SMICs), a network of individuals and organizations from industry, government, and academia. SMICs allow manufacturers of all sizes to benefit from the network’s manufacturing assets and competencies and to create testbeds. The RFP makes up to $1 million in funding available, to be matched by cost-share funding.
CESMII also selected 14 new research and development projects from a previous RFP issued last year. These projects will apply Smart Manufacturing solutions to real-world manufacturing process and operation challenges, improving energy productivity, performance, quality and efficiency.
