Cybersecurity challenges in energy sector (virtual power plants) - can edge computing principles be applied to enhance security?

Abstract

Abstract Distributed generators (D.G.’s) enable us to generate, supply and be self-reliant on power while also allows us to supply power to meet the demand through virtual power plants. The virtual power plants also help us analyse, control, optimise, and help bridge the gap of demand and supply in these vast energy requirements. With this also comes challenges associated with securing physical systems, data protection and information privacy. Recent technological advancements have aided cybercriminals to disrupt operations by carrying out deliberate attacks on the energy sector. Though security researchers have tried to mitigate the risks, vulnerabilities, and it remains a challenge. This paper aims to present a comprehensive Edge-based security architecture to help reduce the risks and help secure the physical systems and ensure privacy and data protection.

Keywords

• Edge computing
• Virtual power plants (VPP)
• Distributed energy resource (DER)
• Security architecture
• IDS
• Authentication and authorisation