UL Solutions experts Michael Slowinske, senior director and regional general manager of Energy & Industrial Automation, and Sjoerd Willemsen, principal engineer of Energy & Industrial Automation, discussed on Apr. 17 how the decentralization of the electric grid is increasing cybersecurity risks. Their insights were featured in a recent PV Magazine article.
The shift from a centralized to a decentralized electric grid involves greater reliance on distributed energy resources such as renewable generation, energy storage systems, and electric vehicles that communicate digitally and operate in real time. This transition introduces new vulnerabilities because thousands of connected technologies are now integrated into daily grid operations.
Slowinske and Willemsen said that as these digitally connected systems play an active role in managing electricity flows, ensuring cybersecurity has become essential for maintaining reliability and stability across the grid. “DER and IBR technologies help regulate voltage, balance supply and demand, and respond dynamically to grid conditions. Their secure performance is therefore essential to maintaining dependable power,” they said.
Many existing grid systems were designed for closed analog environments rather than modern digital connectivity. As connectivity increases within the power sector, Slowinske and Willemsen say more consistent security-by-design approaches are needed to address emerging threats across decentralized energy networks.
Industry initiatives are developing clearer expectations for cybersecurity standards related to distributed energy resources. One notable effort is UL 2941: Standard for the Cybersecurity of Distributed Energy and Inverter-Based Resources. This standard focuses on addressing risks associated with network-connected devices responsible for managing significant amounts of energy flow.
Information about testing devices for compliance with these cybersecurity requirements can be found at the UL 2941 service page at UL.com.
As decentralization continues within the electric grid industry, stakeholders may expect further development of standards like UL 2941 aimed at supporting reliable integration while mitigating cyber threats.
