Protective energy shield defending a smart grid from cyber attacks.

Smart Grids Under Attack: How to Keep Our Power On

Avery Sinclair in Tech & Innovation September 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how researchers are developing fault-tolerant control systems to protect our energy grids from cyber threats and sensor failures."

The vision of a smart grid hinges on smoothly integrating renewable energy sources into our existing power networks. Microgrids, which combine distributed energy resources (DERs), storage, and local loads, are a key part of this vision. They promise greater efficiency and reliability, but ensuring they operate without hiccups is still a major challenge, particularly when connected to the main grid.

In grid-connected mode, microgrids constantly exchange power with the main grid. To manage this two-way flow effectively, advanced control strategies are essential. These controls must ensure that power is delivered reliably and efficiently, even when unexpected issues arise. This is particularly important for DERs, like wind turbines and solar panels, which rely on power electronic converters to interface with the grid.

These converters, especially Voltage Source Converters (VSCs), need precise controllers to manage the power flow. But what happens when these controllers receive faulty information? Sensor malfunctions or, worse, cyberattacks can feed incorrect data to the VSC, leading to instability and potential grid-wide problems. That's why researchers are focusing on developing fault-tolerant control (FTC) systems that can detect and correct these errors in real-time.

Why Fault-Tolerant Control Systems Are Essential for Grid Stability

Protective energy shield defending a smart grid from cyber attacks.

The accuracy of the data from voltage and current sensors is vital for microgrid controllers to function effectively. If sensors or data acquisition systems malfunction, or if cyberattacks manipulate this data, the balance of power can be disrupted, leading to uncontrolled microgrid operation and potentially impacting the main grid negatively. Detecting and mitigating these issues is therefore crucial for maintaining grid stability.

While significant research has addressed fault detection and protection in microgrid networks, comparatively little has focused on sensor fault-tolerant control. While some approaches exist for detecting sensor faults in power systems, such as those used in load frequency control (LFC) loops, there is a noticeable gap in addressing these specific vulnerabilities in electronically-coupled DER units.

CT and PT Errors: Errors in Current Transformers (CT) and Potential Transformers (PT) can lead to inaccurate measurements of voltage and current.
Sensor and DAQ Device Malfunctions: Failures in sensors or Data Acquisition (DAQ) devices can corrupt the data being fed to the controllers.
Cyberattacks: Malicious actors can manipulate sensor data, causing the system to operate based on false information.

To combat these threats, fault detection schemes are employed. These schemes generate residual signals, acting as indicators of faults. When systems face unknown disturbances, robust fault detection schemes are necessary to prevent false alarms. Sliding Mode Observers (SMOs) are utilized to reconstruct faults, offering a more effective alternative to mere fault detection through residual signals. SMOs are especially valuable due to their insensitivity to system uncertainty.

A Path to More Secure and Reliable Smart Grids

The development and implementation of robust, fault-tolerant control systems is crucial for the future of smart grids. By addressing the vulnerabilities of sensor systems and incorporating advanced detection and correction mechanisms, we can ensure a more stable, secure, and efficient energy infrastructure. Further research and development in this area will pave the way for wider adoption of microgrids and a more resilient power grid for all.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.ijepes.2017.08.024, Alternate LINK

Title: Fault Tolerant Control Of Electronically Coupled Distributed Energy Resources In Microgrid Systems

Subject: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Journal: International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Sasan Gholami, Sajeeb Saha, Mohammad Aldeen

Published: 2018-02-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is the primary goal of fault-tolerant control (FTC) systems in the context of smart grids?

The primary goal of fault-tolerant control (FTC) systems in smart grids is to detect and correct errors in real-time, specifically those arising from sensor malfunctions or cyberattacks. These systems ensure the reliable and efficient operation of microgrids and the broader power network by mitigating the impact of inaccurate data that can be fed to Voltage Source Converters (VSCs). This is crucial for maintaining grid stability and preventing potentially grid-wide problems.

How do microgrids contribute to the smart grid vision, and what challenges do they face?

Microgrids are a key component of the smart grid vision because they integrate distributed energy resources (DERs), storage, and local loads. They promise greater efficiency and reliability by incorporating renewable energy sources into the power networks. However, microgrids face challenges, particularly when connected to the main grid. Advanced control strategies are essential to manage the two-way flow of power effectively, ensuring reliable and efficient power delivery, especially from DERs like wind turbines and solar panels. These controls must be fault-tolerant to handle sensor failures and cyberattacks, which can disrupt operations.

What are the specific vulnerabilities that fault-tolerant control systems aim to address in smart grids?

Fault-tolerant control systems are designed to address several key vulnerabilities. These include errors in Current Transformers (CT) and Potential Transformers (PT), which can lead to inaccurate measurements of voltage and current. Sensor and Data Acquisition (DAQ) device malfunctions are another critical concern, as they can corrupt the data fed to controllers. Finally, FTC systems protect against cyberattacks, where malicious actors can manipulate sensor data, causing the system to operate on false information. By addressing these issues, FTC systems ensure the stability and security of smart grids.

Explain how Sliding Mode Observers (SMOs) are used in fault detection within smart grids.

Sliding Mode Observers (SMOs) are utilized in fault detection schemes within smart grids to reconstruct faults. These observers generate residual signals that serve as indicators of faults. When systems face unknown disturbances, robust fault detection schemes are necessary to prevent false alarms. SMOs are particularly valuable because they are designed to be insensitive to system uncertainty, providing a more effective alternative to mere fault detection through residual signals. SMOs help to identify and address errors in sensor data, ensuring accurate operation of the grid.

Why is the development of fault-tolerant control systems crucial for the future of smart grids, and what are the implications?

The development of fault-tolerant control systems is crucial for the future of smart grids because they are essential for creating a more stable, secure, and efficient energy infrastructure. By addressing vulnerabilities in sensor systems and implementing advanced detection and correction mechanisms, these systems pave the way for the wider adoption of microgrids. The implications of this development include increased grid reliability, enhanced security against cyber threats, and the efficient integration of renewable energy sources. Further research and development in this area will lead to a more resilient power grid for everyone.