Background

Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) are being deployed at an ever-increasing rate. At the same time, DERs are becoming more actively controlled—through smart inverters, microgrid controllers, and other devices. DERs are also participating in grid stabilization and providing ancillary services like frequency regulation, demand response, arbitrage, and other advanced functions.

These advantages, however, come with a caveat: as DERs play a larger and more active role in the grid, they must be secured against cyber attacks. Compromised DER would affect grid reliability and resiliency. Because DERs offer connectivity for remote sensing and control, they could also be used as platforms to attack other grid-connected devices or utility operations centers.

Cybersecurity is often discussed in terms of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. In grid operations, availability has traditionally taken center stage since the goal is always to keep delivering power. DERs, however, are changing the game. Future attacks could spoof sensor data or control signals—both are attacks on integrity. Personally identifiable information (PII) data is also at risk due to the use of private networks on customer-owned DERs—this PII must be kept confidential. Going forward, DER security means looking at confidentiality, integrity and availability of data and protecting all three.

Event

The U.S. Department of Energy has sponsored an effort led by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) to develop a flexible cryptographic solution for DERs that will provide robust security and a low total cost of ownership. The team is developing a crypto module that is lightweight, easy to operate, and can be added to any type of DER.

For this workshop, the NREL and SNL team wants your feedback. Our goal is to engage with utilities, equipment vendors, and others to identify and further understand potential challenges in this area--and be successful in developing a cryptographic module that meets industry needs and offers protection for DERs. By convening a balance of industry vendors, utility owners and operators, academia, and national labs, we hope to foster engaging dicussion, productive breakouts, and a full day of collaboration.

Agenda

The workshop will feature thought leaders in DER technology presenting on research, use cases, standards, and benchmarks. Breakout sessions will allow all participants to share experience and observations about how DER security should evolve. Guests will have the opportunity to tour NREL's Energy Systems Integration Facility and lunch will be served. See a draft agenda.

Date

July 17, 2018

Foreign National Data Card

If you are not a U.S. citizen, please fill out the Foreign National Data Card and submit to Shannon Calkum at shannon.calkum@nrel.gov no later than June 17, 2018. Failure to submit the Foreign National Data Card by this time could hinder your access to the NREL campus. Only sections 1-18 must be completed by participants.

Questions & Additional Information

For questions about visiting NREL, dietary preferences, or anything else about the workshop, please contact Shannon Calkum.