On the Assessment of Cyber Risks and Attack Surfaces in a Real-Time Co-Simulation Cybersecurity Testbed for Inverter-Based Microgrids

Kirti Gupta,Bijaya Ketan Panigrahi,Petar Popovski,Frede Blaabjerg,Subham Sahoo

doi:10.3390/en14164941

Kirti Gupta, Bijaya Ketan Panigrahi + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/en14164941

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Journal: Energies	Publication Date: Aug 12, 2021
Citations: 17	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Aalborg University

Abstract

The integration of variable distributed generations (DGs) and loads in microgrids (MGs) has made the reliance on communication systems inevitable for information exchange in both control and protection architectures to enhance the overall system reliability, resiliency and sustainability. This communication backbone in turn also exposes MGs to potential malicious cyber attacks. To study these vulnerabilities and impacts of various cyber attacks, testbeds play a crucial role in managing their complexity. This research work presents a detailed study of the development of a real-time co-simulation testbed for inverter-based MGs. It consists of a OP5700 real-time simulator, which is used to emulate both the physical and cyber layer of an AC MG in real time through HYPERSIM software; and SEL-3530 Real-Time Automation Controller (RTAC) hardware configured with ACSELERATOR RTAC SEL-5033 software. A human–machine interface (HMI) is used for local/remote monitoring and control. The creation and management of HMI is carried out in ACSELERATOR Diagram Builder SEL-5035 software. Furthermore, communication protocols such as Modbus, sampled measured values (SMVs), generic object-oriented substation event (GOOSE) and distributed network protocol 3 (DNP3) on an Ethernet-based interface were established, which map the interaction among the corresponding nodes of cyber-physical layers and also synchronizes data transmission between the systems. The testbed not only provides a real-time co-simulation environment for the validation of the control and protection algorithms but also extends to the verification of various detection and mitigation algorithms. Moreover, an attack scenario is also presented to demonstrate the ability of the testbed. Finally, challenges and future research directions are recognized and discussed.

Highlights

According to the IEEE Grid Vision 2050, smart grid is anticipated to comprise of an automation and control framework over entire power grids for efficient and reliable bidirectional power flow [1]
We primarily focus on a cyber-physical AC microgrid, as shown in Figure 3, which can be extended to a grid-connected microgrid, and a networked AC/DC
This paper presents a real-time co-simulation testbed for cybersecurity applications in a microgrid

Summary

Introduction

According to the IEEE Grid Vision 2050, smart grid is anticipated to comprise of an automation and control framework over entire power grids for efficient and reliable bidirectional power flow [1]. Cybersecurity has become a notable threat to modern-day power systems due to the extensive integration of communication technologies. Any infiltration in the cyber domain can impede on the physical security of the power systems due to the deep integration of physical and cyber domains [4,5,6]. Evaluating and developing cyber-physical system security is of utmost importance to the future electricity grid. Numerous cyber attacks have been revealed in the energy sector with diverse impacts at various levels [7,8]. The Stuxnet attack in Iran revealed the threat that cyber attacks represented to power utility control systems [10]. 7628 Guidelines for Smart GRID Cyber Security. Impact of the wireless network’s PHY security and reliability on demand-side management cost in the smart grid.

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