Cybersecurity Assessment in DER-rich Distribution Operations: Criticality Levels and Impact Analysis.

The integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) in distribution networks has become a pivotal strategy for achieving decarbonization, enhancing grid resilience, and optimizing grid efficiency. Remote monitoring and control operations of such resources rely on a network of sensors and communication infrastructure, exposing the system to potential cyber threats. Therefore, as the deployment of DERs increases, ensuring secure monitoring and control becomes an imperative challenge. In this paper, a cybersecurity assessment framework is introduced, alongside several pertinent operational scenarios that researchers can leverage for DER-rich distribution grids. The feeder model is accurately represented within ePHASORSIM, a real-time simulation tool, allowing users to conduct simulations of cyber-attacks within a real-world environment and to analyze power distribution operations under vulnerable conditions. Furthermore, we discuss several practical sets of grid parameters to identify critical levels of DERs and evaluate various scenarios that simulate cyber threats on sensitive DERs. The modified IEEE 123-bus model is used as the test case for demonstrating the proposed scenarios. The findings from this study provide valuable insights into the vulnerabilities and potential consequences of cyber attacks on DERs, allowing for better mitigation strategies and improved cyber resilience in future distribution networks.