Danish Saleem

Danish Saleem serves as Researcher IV in Cyber Security & Resilience at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), where he leads foundational research in energy security and resilience. He chairs the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office Laboratory Coordination Committee and serves as vice chair for IEEE Working Group 1547.3 on DER cybersecurity standards.

His educational background includes:

• Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from Florida International University (recipient of Real Triumphs Graduates Award)
• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from NED University of Engineering and Technology

Saleem's research focuses on cybersecurity for energy systems, with specialized expertise in distributed energy resources (DERs), inverter-based resource security, and cyber resilience of autonomous energy systems. His work bridges technology development, policy formulation, and commercialization of security solutions for grid integration of renewables, emphasizing security-by-design principles through public-private partnerships.

Recent publications (2023-2024) reveal concentrated efforts in DER cybersecurity standards, supply chain security, and management system hardening. His research demonstrates increasing emphasis on practical implementation frameworks, with notable growth in technical reports and presentations targeting industry adoption rather than purely theoretical work.

Key honors include:

• Cyprus Solar Car Challenge Best Urban Concept Design Award (2012)
• Florida International University Real Triumphs Graduates Award (2016)
• Shell Eco Marathon Team Electrical Lead Award (2011)

As project lead for initiatives including the national DER cybersecurity certification program and RESCue pilot project, Saleem directs substantial grant-funded research with industry and government partners. His leadership extends to developing security-by-design implementation frameworks through multi-stakeholder collaborations.

Saleem previously managed NREL's cybersecurity lab (2016-2017) and maintains active roles in IEEE Power and Energy Society and IEEE Standards Association working groups, driving community-wide security protocols for next-generation energy systems.