From Balance to Breach: Cyber Threats to Battery Energy Storage Systems

TL;DR

This paper analyzes cyber threats to cloud-controlled battery energy storage systems used for grid frequency regulation. It introduces a reference model (RM) for a cloud-controlled CCS connected to remote BESS and frequency measurements, and develops a custom HELICS-based simulator to evaluate cyberattack scenarios. Through simulation, it maps the attack surface and demonstrates that attacks that gradually alter data, such as ramp attacks, can severely disrupt grid frequency stability, while some abrupt attacks are mitigated by controller dynamics. The work highlights the need for robust detection, resilience, and mitigation strategies to ensure reliable grid operation in the face of evolving cyber threats.

Abstract

Battery energy storage systems are an important part of modern power systems as a solution to maintain grid balance. However, such systems are often remotely managed using cloud-based control systems. This exposes them to cyberattacks that could result in catastrophic consequences for the electrical grid and the connected infrastructure. This paper takes a step towards advancing understanding of these systems and investigates the effects of cyberattacks targeting them. We propose a reference model for an electrical grid cloud-controlled load-balancing system connected to remote battery energy storage systems. The reference model is evaluated from a cybersecurity perspective by implementing and simulating various cyberattacks. The results reveal the system's attack surface and demonstrate the impact of cyberattacks that can criticaly threaten the security and stability of the electrical grid.

Figures (14)

• Figure 1: The balance between grid production and consumption.
• Figure 2: The proposed reference model.
• Figure 3: Services provided by the CCS.
• Figure 4: Simulator architecture.
• Figure 5: Scaled consumption data.