Smart Grid communication system and its cyber security

Abstract

This chapter is devoted to Smart Grid communication system and its cyber security. A classification of power system communication (PSC) systems according to their requirements is given in Section 5.2. They are classified into (i) real-time operational communication systems, (ii) administrative operational communication systems, and (iii) administrative communication systems. This is followed by discussing the existing electric power system communication infrastructure and highlighting its limitation in Section 5.3. In particular the following have been covered: (i) overview of current PSC systems and their characteristics, (ii) shortcomings of current PSC systems, and (iii) characteristics of future PSC systems that suit Smart Grid requirements. Smart Grid communication system infrastructure was then discussed under Section 5.4. The topics discussed in this section include (i) fundamental functions of the Smart Grid communication infrastructure, (ii) architecture of Smart Grid communication infrastructure, (iii) Smart Grid communication infrastructure challenges, and (iv) standardization efforts by industry. Finally, in Section 5.5 cyber security of power systems/Smart Grid was then discussed. It begins with giving definition of cyber infrastructure and cyber security. This is then followed by discussing security of power systems and cyberattacks. The Smart Grid cyber security was then discussed, which covered (i) Smart Grid cyber-security challenges, (ii) emerging Smart Grid cyber-security technologies, (iii) compliance versus security, and (iv) Smart Grid cyber-security standards.