A new AI tool called Cybersecurity Situational Awareness Tool for Hydropower (CYSAT-Hydro) is being developed to protect hydropower plants from cyberattacks. This tool comes at a time when more energy systems are connecting to the internet, which increases the risk of cyber threats. Recent cyberattacks, like the 2021 ransomware attack on the Colonial Pipeline, show how vulnerable energy systems can be.
According to Vivek Kumar Singh, a senior cybersecurity researcher at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), there’s been a rise in hacking attempts on critical infrastructure like the power grid over the last 10 to 15 years. The CYSAT-Hydro tool aims to secure these systems, especially as new technologies like smart meters and energy storage are integrated into the power grid.
Hydropower plants are increasingly using smart grid technology, which helps manage energy better but also creates new opportunities for cyberattacks. The CYSAT-Hydro tool is designed to detect unusual activities and alert operators in real time, allowing them to quickly respond and protect the grid. It can also calculate how these attacks might affect the grid’s performance and economic factors, helping operators understand the value of the tool.
Cyberattacks can range from denying service to modifying signals that control the grid. CYSAT-Hydro uses AI to spot these attacks early, providing detailed information to help operators take action. This tool will be open-source, making it available for broader use in protecting not just power grids but also other critical infrastructures like water and gas pipelines.
The US Department of Energy’s Water Power Technologies Office is supporting this tool’s development, recognizing the need to secure hydropower plants against cyber threats. As CYSAT-Hydro moves toward its final stages, developers are looking for partnerships with industry vendors and utilities to bring the tool to market.
NREL, operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy LLC, is leading this effort to make clean energy systems safer. The hope is that CYSAT-Hydro will not only protect today’s grids but also adapt to future needs, making energy systems more resilient against cyber threats.
Source: powerengineeringint
