Cybersecurity Threats to Power Grid Operations from the Demand-Side Response Ecosystem

TL;DR

This paper analyzes cybersecurity threats posed by IoT-enabled energy appliances like smart heat pumps and EV chargers to power grid stability, highlighting vulnerabilities, impact factors, and resilience measures in the demand-side response ecosystem.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis of demand-side cyber threats to power grids, including vulnerabilities, impact factors, and resilience strategies, integrating industry and regulatory perspectives.

Findings

Identification of key vulnerabilities in ESAs

Factors influencing attack impact on power grids

Recommendations for enhancing cyber-physical resilience

Abstract

This article focuses on cyber security threats from IoT-enabled energy smart appliances (ESAs) such as smart heat pumps, electric vehicle chargers, etc., to power grid operations. It presents an in-depth analysis of the demand side threats, including (i) an overview of the vulnerabilities in ESAs and the wider risk from the demand-side response (DSR) ecosystem, (ii) key factors influencing the attack impact on power grid operations, (iii) measures to improve the cyber-physical resilience of power grids, putting them in the context of ongoing efforts from the industry and regulatory bodies worldwide.