"Blocking Microgrid Cyberattacks To Keep the Power Flowing"

The complexity of power grids continues to grow because of the increase in energy demands, environmental regulations, and small-scale renewable energy systems. Establishing small groups of sources and loads called microgrids helps maintain the resiliency of power supplies. Microgrids are capable of operating independently of the main power grid, and therefore, can still support hospitals during a natural disaster. However, as microgrids become increasingly complex, they need sophisticated computer networks for coordinating, controlling, and distributing different power sources, thus making them vulnerable to cyberattacks. To help prepare for these types of events, KAUST researchers have been performing attack simulations to assess the impact of potential attacks as well as develop detection methods and techniques for suppressing malicious behavior. In the study, they took a realistic approach by adopting a model in which the threat actor has limited knowledge but can design attacks using historical measured data on the performance of the grid. The researchers considered three different types of attack, one of which involves the alteration of measurement data used by the microgrid system operator to coordinate the power generation of inverter-based Distributed Generations (DGs). The simulations revealed that such attacks could induce high costs, cause power loss, and damage equipment. In addition to the attack simulations, the researchers identified effective methods to quickly and accurately detect abnormal conditions associated with incoming attacks. This article continues to discuss the KAUST researchers' work on developing methods for protecting microgrids from cyberattacks.  

KAUST Discovery reports "Blocking Microgrid Cyberattacks To Keep the Power Flowing"