Cybersecure control for smart electricity grids

Cyberattacks can interfere either directly or indirectly with monitoring and control in power systems, leading to cascading failures and blackouts. As the electricity grid becomes increasingly distributed and reliant on emerging telecommunication and control technologies (e.g. 5G wireless and narrowband internet of technology (IOT) networks), vulnerabilities to cyberattacks will increase, and more sophisticated approaches to intrusion detection and management will be required, e.g. approaches that can also differentiate between cyberattacks and other natural disruptions to normal operation. Due to growing concerns, the control system in the USA power grid will be upgraded in the near future to enable the detection of cyberattacks.
This project aims to develop a novel cybersecure robust control theory for mitigating new threats and risks due to the interdependencies between communication and power networks in future power grids. In this project we will develop cyberattack detection algorithms based on a novel state-estimation technique which has the ability to differentiate between a cyberattack and other disturbances in complex systems. Cybersecure wide-area observer-based dynamic control strategies will be developed to ensure stable operation of the grid during cyberattacks. The intrusion detection and control strategies will be tested using a state-of-the-art hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) system.

The intended impact is to ensure secure operation of electricity grids that will provide Australia with cheaper, more reliable electricity and cutting-edge expertise in the highly competitive renewable-energy and energy-storage market. It will develop a unique demonstration system and multidisciplinary research team which will significantly enhance NSW’s research capability in this emerging research area.