The US Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) announced a funding of approximately $20m to speed up the incorporation of machine learning and artificial intelligence into energy technology and product design processes.
Image: The project is expected to develop advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning tools. Photo: Courtesy of US Department of Energy/Wikipedia.org.
The US DOE has initiated Design Intelligence for Formidable Energy Reduction Engendering Numerous Totally Impactful Advanced Technology Enhancements (DIFFERENTIATE) program, aimed at enhancing energy incorporating through artificial intelligence and machine learning into energy technology development.
The DIFFERNTIATE program has been designed to identify six general mathematical optimization problems that are common to many design processes. Later, it will conceptualize several machine learning tools that could help engineers execute and solve these problems in a way that will accelerate the pace of energy innovation.
The projects are expected to develop advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning tools. Under the program, proposals are expected to identify a selected challenge problem, an anticipated solution, a data acquisition strategy, major development risks, and an anticipated path to market for the final tool or software utility developed.
The DOE said that up to $5m from the allocated $20m funding from the by ARPA-E opportunity will be provided for small businesses under ARPA-E’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, and the balance $15m is made available for all other applicants.
US Secretary of Energy Rick Perry said: “Artificial intelligence and machine learning has the potential to literally transform every aspect of the world as we know it, and accelerating this technology is crucial to strengthening our country’s economic and national security.
“DOE-fueled artificial intelligence is being utilized across all sectors, from strengthening cybersecurity and national security, increasing energy efficiency, optimizing grid security and resiliency, and developing innovative health solutions. The DIFFERENTIATE program is the latest example of DOE paving the way towards the New American Energy Era.”
Recently, the US DOE has announced a $20m funding for cooperative agreements to speed up the deployment of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). The projects selected under the funding program will support the Office of Fossil Energy’s (FE) Carbon Storage Program.