Infrastructure Security for Smart Electric Grids: A Survey

The deployment of smart grid technologies is drawing significant attention in the electric power industry. The term “smart grid” refers to modernization of the electric grid using digital technology that includes an advanced sensing and metering infrastructure, high speed, fully integrated two-way communications, and a supporting information infrastructure. In particular, the smart grid combines matured electric grid infrastructure with information and communication technology to offer better grid performance in terms of overall system efficiency and reliability. It supports a two-way energy and information flow, facilitates the integration of time-varying energy sources and new dynamic loads, and amongst other things. However, along with these potential benefits, smart grid also brings new challenges in ensuring security of the grid and the information infrastructure that connects and controls it. This chapter presents a brief survey of various essential components of smart grid and some of the security challenges that encompass virtually all aspects of its operation.