Specifications of a Simulation Framework for Virtualized Intelligent Electronic Devices in Smart Grids Covering Networking and Security Requirements

Abstract

As power system's operational technology converges with innovative information and communication technologies, the need for extensive resilience testing for scenarios covering the electrical grid, networking bottlenecks, as well as cyber security threats, become a necessity. This paper proposes a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary simulation framework to test virtualized intelligent electronic devices (vIEDs), considering 1) functional requirements, 2) performance and quality of service of the underlying communication network using software-defined networking, and 3) cyber security intrusion detection schemes. This work serves as a reference for researchers interested in the grid modernization of information and communication infrastructure for future power systems. Six different cyber security attack surfaces have been identified within the framework scope. It was observed that migration of vIEDs due to device maintenance or external anomalies is interesting from an operational perspective yet still poses significant security threats. Therefore, both host-based and network-based intrusion detection schemes were analyzed. Also, the setup has been mapped to an offshore wind case study demonstrating its potential and possible scenarios to simulate.