Cyber-Resilient Distributed Autonomous Energy Grid

The aim of Cyber-Resilient Distributed Autonomous Grid research initiative is to advance fundamental science and engineering approaches for cyber-resilient design, control, and operation of a distributed, highly interconnected, and autonomous energy grid of the future. From increasing penetration of DERs, smart homes and building with highly controllable loads at the distribution layer, to the interconnection of bulk renewables at the transmission layer the fundamental nature of the energy grid is changing, and these changes are enabled by rapid increase in dependence on the communication infrastructure and independent third parties for control and operation of the grid. NREL's Integrated Energy Pathways critical objective correctly identifies that there are fundamental cyber-resilience challenges inherent in the grid's evolution, and this effort is establishing strong and novel integrated cyber-resilience framework and approaches to address these new and fundamental challenges.