Cybersecurity of Microgrid: State-of-the-Art Review and Possible Directions of Future Research

Abstract

The infrastructure of and processes involved in a microgrid electrical system require advanced technology to facilitate connection among its various components in order to provide the intelligence and automation that can benefit users. As a consequence, the microgrid has vulnerabilities that can expose it to a wide range of attacks. If they are not adequately addressed, these vulnerabilities may have a destructive impact on a country’s critical infrastructure and economy. While the impact of exploiting vulnerabilities in them is understood, research on the cybersecurity of microgrids is inadequate. This paper provides a comprehensive review of microgrid cybersecurity. In particular, it (1) reviews the state-of-the-art microgrid electrical systems, communication protocols, standards, and vulnerabilities while highlighting prevalent solutions to cybersecurity-related issues in them; (2) provides recommendations to enhance the security of these systems by segregating layers of the microgrid, and (3) identifies the gap in research in the area, and suggests directions for future work to enhance the cybersecurity of microgrids.

Enhancing Cybersecurity in Distributed Microgrids: A Review of Communication Protocols and Standards

“…It was created in the early 1900s as a low-data-rate remote power network component control service. Since then, numerous frequency ranges and signal modulation methods have been used to reach data speeds from a few bits per second to 200 Mbps with a broad frequency range (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20). PLC technology is susceptible to electromagnetic noise from electrical motors, radio signal interference, and power supply since power lines are not twisted and protected.…”

“…The microgrid's management system interacts with market signals and optimizes features such as peak shaving and frequency regulation. The control system must effectively manage the allocation and utilization of resources, including power production and storage, load management, and ensuring self-sufficient operation [5][6][7].…”

Enhancing Security for IoT-Based Smart Renewable Energy Remote Monitoring Systems

“…In recent years, the literature has strongly stressed the crucial significance of data encryption as a fundamental element in ensuring the security of data transmission inside energy monitoring systems [22][23][24][25][26]. Research has emphasized the vulnerability of unencrypted data as they are being sent, highlighting their susceptibility to being intercepted and tampered with by unauthorized individuals.…”

Sustainable Energy Systems Planning, Integration and Management (Volume II)

“…A comprehensive review of microgrid cybersecurity was provided in [4], with a focus on: (1) state-of-the-art microgrid electrical systems, communication protocols, standards, and vulnerabilities, together with prevalent solutions to cybersecurity-related issues within them; (2) recommendations to enhance the security of these systems by segregating layers of the microgrid; and (3) gaps in research in the area and suggestions for future work to enhance the cybersecurity of microgrids.…”