| Resource Type | Website |
| Author / Source | Center for Securing Digital Energy Technology (CSDET) |
| Publication Date | Ongoing |
| Location | United States |
| Initiative Type | Program, Partnership |
| Project Complexity | Beginner |
| Recommended For | Board, Staff |
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Why This Matters for Rural Electric Co-ops
The Center for Securing Digital Energy Technology (CSDET) provides technical assistance to utilities across grid, resilience, and cybersecurity challenges through its Technical Assistance & Training program. Co-ops can request help at no cost, and each engagement pairs them with a subject-matter expert.
Support scales to the size of the need, from a quick advisory question to a deep, hands-on engagement. A co-op submits a request on the CSDET site, which goes through an approval process. Rather than building specialized capability from scratch or hiring consultants, a co-op can use this to bring expertise to a specific problem.
Key Takeaways
| › | The program covers four areas: rapid-response help for urgent grid problems, cybersecurity and digital assurance, damage prediction and resilience, and large loads and data centers. |
| › | Three engagement levels scale to the need: a Short Advisory for narrow questions (with an assessment template and training), an Expert Match for design or contracting help, and a Deep Dive for substantial, on-site support. |
| › | The Damage Prediction and Resilience track covers resilience and damage-prediction tools, including INL's Resilience Guard suite (Storm-DEPART, ACCLIMATE, and a basic asset inventory). |
Implementation Considerations
- Regulatory or Governance Considerations: The engagement connects a co-op with subject-matter experts rather than a commercial vendor, and requests are made on the CSDET site.
- Staffing or Technology Requirements: Submitting a request is low-effort, so the main need is staff time to scope the request. Approval is not guaranteed, and the deeper tracks, including on-site work, ask more of staff.
- Time-Sensitive Information: This is a federally funded DOE program, and the page references GRIP awardees, a program on the federal rollback list. The technical assistance itself is distinct from those grants, but federal program availability can shift, so confirm current availability before relying on it.
Notable Examples
- Resilience Guard (Storm-DEPART and ACCLIMATE): Damage-prediction and climate-risk tools delivered through the Damage Prediction and Resilience track. Search Co-op Compass for each tool to learn more.
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
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