The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a $22 million allocation to 12 state-run programs to accelerate smart manufacturing at small- and medium-sized facilities. This funding, part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda, aims to enhance smart manufacturing technologies and high-performance computing accessibility for domestic manufacturing, a sector responsible for a significant portion of U.S. carbon emissions and energy consumption.
The State Manufacturing Leadership Program, funded by the President's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, seeks to eliminate existing barriers hindering small- and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) from utilizing innovative, data-driven tools and technologies. By doing so, it aims to improve production efficiency, reduce costs, create new domestic manufacturing opportunities, and lower harmful emissions.
Smart manufacturing facilitates enhanced interconnectivity and efficiency within manufacturing processes by responding in real time to changing demands and conditions. High-performance computing enables faster and more accurate modeling, simulation, and data analysis. Despite these benefits, most SMMs currently do not adopt smart manufacturing or high-performance computing due to cost constraints and limited access to training resources.
The 12 selected states will establish or expand state-run programs to support more than 3,500 SMMs in accessing smart manufacturing technologies and high-performance computing resources. These programs will offer technical assistance, training, facility assessments, apprenticeships, and direct financial assistance to implement smart manufacturing improvements. They will also expand the smart manufacturing ecosystem through national collaborations with various partners.
The State Manufacturing Leadership Program funding will be administered by DOE's Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC), which aims to strengthen and secure manufacturing and energy supply chains, supporting a clean and equitable energy transition while modernizing the nation's energy infrastructure.
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