Cyber Security Frameworks

In this paper we attempt to explain and establish certain frameworks that can be assessed for implementing security systems against cyber-threats and cyber-criminals. We give a brief overview of electronic signature generation procedures which include its validation and efficiency for promoting cyber security for confidential documents and information stored in the cloud. We strictly avoid the mathematical modelling of the electronic signature generation process as it is beyond the scope of this paper, instead we take a theoretical approach to explain the procedures. We also model the threats posed by a malicious hacker seeking to induce disturbances in the functioning of a power transmission grid via the means of cyber-physical networks and systems. We use the strategy of a load redistribution attack, while clearly acknowledging that the hacker would form its decision policy on inadequate information. Our research indicate that inaccurate admittance values often cause moderately invasive cyber-attacks that still compromise the grid security, while inadequate capacity values result in comparatively less efficient attacks. In the end we propose a security framework for the security systems utilised by companies and corporations at global scale to conduct cyber-security related operations. Keywords: Electronic signature, Key pair, sequence modelling, hacker, power transmission grid, Threat response, framework.

A Study on the Impact of Distance-Based Value Loss on Transmission Network Power Flow Using Synthetic Networks

This paper presents a methodology for rapid generation of synthetic transmission networks and uses it to investigate how a transmission distance-based value loss affects the overall grid power flow. The networks are created with a graph theory-based method and compared to existing energy systems. The power production is located on these synthetic networks by solving a facility location optimization problem with variable distance-based value losses. Next, AC power flow is computed for a snapshot of each network using the Newton–Raphson method and the transmission grid power flow is analyzed. The presented method enables rapid analysis of several grid topologies and offers a way to compare the effects of production incentives and renewable energy policies in different network conditions.

Research on Global Security Sharing of Power Grid Information Based on Differential Privacy Model

With the advancement of science and technology, intelligent power transmission technology is also constantly developing. Among them, the information security of the transmission grid in the power system is an important content that cannot be ignored. This article first analyzes the current status of power information security issues, including research on the current status of foreign power information security. Secondly, it studies the differential privacy model, finally it studies the power grid security domain information sharing technology.

Determination of Maximum Acceptable Standing Phase Angle across Open Circuit Breaker as an Optimisation Task

There are several threats that require the control of the conditions of switching operations in the transmission grid. They result mainly from the negative effects of the high-value current, which may appear after the breaker is closed. Problems considering closing the power circuit breakers on a large standing phase angle (SPA) are often formulated by grid operators. The literature most often discusses the problem of SPA reduction, which allows the system to be restored without the risk of damaging the turbogenerator shafts. This reduction can be achieved by various operational solutions; most often, it is the appropriate adjustment of active power generation, sometimes backed up by partial load shedding. The subject of the presented article is a slightly different approach to the SPA problem. The method of determining the maximum value of SPA for which the connection operation allows to avoid excessive transitional torques was presented. With this approach, finding the maximum value of SPA between the two considered system nodes is treated as an optimisation task. In order to solve it, the original heuristic optimisation method described in the article was applied.

Modelling of geomagnetically induced currents in the Czech transmission grid

We investigate the maximum expected magnitudes of the geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) in the Czech transmission power network. We compute a model utilising the Lehtinen–Pirjola method, considering the plane-wave model of the geoelectric field, and using the transmission network parameters kindly provided by the operator. We find that the maximum amplitudes expected in the nodes of the Czech transmission grid during the Halloween storm-like event are about 15 A. For the “extreme-storm” conditions with a 1-V/km geoelectric field, the expected maxima do not exceed 40 A. We speculate that the recently proven statistical correlation between the increased geomagnetic activity and anomaly rate in the power grid may be due to the repeated exposure of the devices to the low-amplitude GICs. Graphical Abstract

Corruption and incompetence dog Albania’s energy plans

Significance The authorities’ immediate aim was to prevent the escalation of sporadic protests against price rises. However, the prospects are also improving for the government’s plan to turn Albania into a regional leader in renewable energy generation. Impacts The government will try to accelerate rolling out new, clean energy projects and upgrading the transmission grid to stabilise energy prices. Prioritising subsidised electricity to households and small businesses at the expense of large consumers will drag down economic growth. Plans to rein in the budget deficit and cut public debt, inflated by spending related to the COVID-19 pandemic, will be blown off course.

Multi-Level Cooperative Scheduling Based on Robust Optimization Considering Flexibilities and Uncertainties of ADN and MG

This paper develops the coordination structure and method for utilizing flexibilities in a Micro-Grid (MG), an Active Distribution Network (ADN) and a Transmission Grid (TG), which can play an essential role in addressing the uncertainties caused by renewable energy power generation (REPG). For cooperative dispatching, both flexibilities and uncertainties on the interface of MG–ADN and ADN–TG are portrayed in unified forms utilizing robust optimization (RO), based on the modified equipment-level model of flexible resources. The Constraint-and-Column Generation method is adopted to solve the RO control problems. Simulations on the modified IEEE case-6 and case-33 systems are carried out. The results suggest that the proposed algorithm can exploit flexible resources in both an MG and an ADN, improving the economy and promoting REPG consumption within each level (MG, ADN and TG) while reducing uncertainties and providing flexibilities for superior operators.

Improving the Performance of Distance Relay Using Wavelet Transform

With proliferation of power grids, different types of faults are more likely to occur. The purpose of system protection relays is to detect abnormal signals that indicate faults in the transmission system and to separate the fault section from the rest of the system to prevent the fault from propagating to other parts of the system. Proliferation of electronic devices led to creation of digital relays made of microprocessors. Hence, analog measurements are converted into digital signals for processing by microprocessors. Air grids are more likely to cause faults than other components of the power system; thus, disturbances affecting the system must be detected quickly and accurately. Therefore, the problem of fault detection and classification is an important factor for economic exploitation of the power grid. Accurate fault handling results in faster repair operations, better system availability, lower operating costs and timesavings. The proposed design in this study was based on detecting the type of fault caused in transmission lines. In order to improve the condition of the relays in the transmission grid, analysis of the signals reached to the relay on both sides of the line was used to detect the fault and its type. The main purpose was to quickly detect the type of fault using wavelet transform. For this purpose, the signal was sampled after the fault occurs and the feature signal was extracted after analysis by wavelet transform. These features were included in the decision tree classifier and the type of the fault was decided.