Methodology of cyber security assessment in the smart grid

Abstract

The introduction of smart grid, which is an innovative application of digital processing and communications to the power grid, might lead to more and more cyber threats originated from IT systems. In other words, The Energy Management System (EMS) and other communication networks interact with the power system on a real time basis, so it is important to understand the interaction between two layers to protect the power system from potential cyber threats. This paper aims to identify and clarify the cyber security risks and their interaction with the power system in Smart Grid. In this study, the optimal power flow (OPF) and Power Flow Tracing are used to assess the interaction between the EMS and the power system. Through OPF and Power Flow Tracing based analysis, the physical and economic impacts from potential cyber threats are assessed, and thereby the quantitative risks are measured in a monetary unit.