Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science



DOE Cybersecurity Project (New Project Website)



Summary

Award Number:
DE-EE0009339

Project Title:
Secure and Resilient Operations Using Open-Source Distributed Systems Platform (OpenDSP)

PD/PI Name:
Wei Sun

Team Members:
UCF, Virginia Tech, Open Energy Solutions, Duke Energy, Consumers Energy

Project/Grant Period:
08/01/2021 – 07/31/2024

Goals of the Project:
The objective of this project is to identify and address cybersecurity gaps by developing a multi-layer multi-channel cyber-physical defense and survival mechanism for operating distribution networks with high penetration of DERs. The proposed security enhancements are built upon the distributed framework and solution architecture for both information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) systems.

The technical solutions consist of two composite functionalities and six layers: proactive defense (vulnerability assessment, communication protection, and attack detection, as layers 1-3), and adaptive self-healing (attack-resilient control, adaptive recovery, and resilient survival, as layers 4-6). These layers, built on and extended from DHS CISA Cyber Framework, establish an integrated and robust cybersecurity framework for operating large-scale distribution networks.

The project team will develop, validate and field test novel distributed and interoperable approaches to address the emerging cybersecurity issues and enhance relevant operational platforms for DER service providers and utilities. The technical solutions to cybersecurity enhancements will be validated using the microgrid control and security testbeds. Furthermore, they will be built into OpenDSP and demonstrated in field tests by two utility companies.

University of Central Florida