Assessment of Wireless Technologies in a Substation Environment

Completed

Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution)
Other Cross-Cutting Technologies or Research(Other Supporting Data)

Applied Research and Development

PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Computer Science and Informatics)
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)

Not Cross-cutting

Project Contact
National Grid Electricity Transmission

Network Innovation Allowance

Ofgem

01 January 2019

01 June 2020

ENA months

£150,000

Power

London

Network Innovation Allowance

Project Contact, National Grid Electricity Transmission

The use of an external supplier provides National Grid with a wider breadth of information and access to specialised knowledge on the topic of Wireless Solutions and their associated threats of implementation. Phase I – Substation Environment – understand the data flows from a selection of different types of substations. Phase II – Technology Options – identify wireless solutions that will provide benefits/opportunities and their associated threats to implement. Phase III – Regulatory Considerations – identify any gaps in Cyber Security frameworks regulatory/non-regulatory that would prevent full implementation of identified solutions. The above method has been developed in addressing the project outcomes in a systematic approach with checkpoints when each phase is completed. This project will be carried out through a staged approach, including the following work packages (WPs).WP1 Models of different types of substations, including assets, current and future processes and information flows. Presentation of the deliverables from Phase I for feedback and agreement. WP2 Evaluating technology options with auditable analyses determining the preferred option and associated performance improvements. Developing the Threat Model for the preferred technology option. The results from a series of desk-based simulations to demonstrate how cyber-attacks would be detected and blocked. Presentation of the deliverables from Phase II for feedback and agreement. WP3 Documentation of how the preferred solution adheres to the regulatory requirements. Documentation of gaps in the regulatory requirements and recommendations of mitigation methods. Presentation of the deliverables from Phase III for feedback and agreement. To explore how wireless communication, especially considering the emerging technologies, within the substations could realise operational and commercial benefits while also ensuing that the required levels of security are met or surpassed. The current and emerging wireless technology choices that could be suitable for electricity substation needs of today and the future; The relative, technical merits of each option; The security, commercial and operational requirements that need to be achieved; The most appropriate Threat Model; The alignment of the solution with the programmes being undertaken by the Centre for Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI), including their work with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), Cabinet Offices and lead Government departments and agencies.

Wireless Solution adoption rates are growing in providing communications infrastructure across industries that increases flexibility and opportunity to provide/improve services. Along with increasing take-up rates comes with the challenge of more cyber threats to gain access to data and control assets. National Grid wants to explore the capabilities of wireless technology within a substation environment to identify/support innovative opportunities. While exploring these opportunities, utilities need to be aware of the levels of threat to the transmission network depending on the types of wireless solutions identified. This project will investigate opportunities of using wireless applications and develop the associated cyber threat models to understand impacts on substation security.

09/11/22