A hybrid physical and co-simulation modern adaptive power protection testbed for testing the resilience of smart grids under cyber-physical threats

Abstract

Power protection systems play a critical role in ensuring the safe and reliable operation of modern power grids. With the increasing complexity of grid topologies and the integration of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), traditional protection schemes face challenges in maintaining effective coordination among relay systems. This paper presents a new adaptive Overcurrent Relay (OCR) protection and investigates the resilience of different traditional and new adaptive OCR protection schemes against various cyber-physical threats in a smart grid environment. Key contributions include the implementation of a novel adaptive protection scheme designed to dynamically adjust OCR settings based on real-time grid conditions, improving flexibility and responsiveness in managing grid variations induced by DER integration and operational changes. The proposed scheme is validated and implemented using the Multifunction Protection Relay SIEMENS 7SJ62, following to the programming standards of IEC 61131–3, ensuring the reliability and practical applicability of the adaptive OCR scheme in real-world scenarios. Additionally, a dedicated testbed is developed to simulate real-time cyber-physical interactions, incorporating hardware components such as the SIEMENS 7SJ62 and OMICRON-256 test device, along with high-performance computers and communication networks to facilitate comprehensive evaluations of adaptive OCR schemes under varying operational conditions. The study also examines the implications of real-time cyber-attacks on power system operations and the effectiveness of adaptive OCR protection schemes, addressing cybersecurity concerns and proposing mitigation strategies to the system resilience.