SUNY Erie: System Cybersecurity for IEEE 2030.5 Networks

About the Course:

As society’s demand for energy switches from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, the location and number of energy generation systems is changing dramatically. While in the past relatively few, large generators served virtually all electrical needs in the U.S., future demand will be served by millions of small Distributed Energy Resources (DER’s), many located on residential home rooftops, commercial buildings, or land that is closer to energy demand. On the regulatory front, important standards, like IEEE 1547-2018 at the federal level or California Rule 21 or Hawaii Rule 14H as the state level, are driving the architecture of these DER systems. As DER systems come online, many systems including; PV systems, stationary energy storage systems, electric vehicles (EV’s) and EV charging stations) will attach to data communication networks that conform to the IEEE 2030.5 standard. These networks will enable DER systems to communicate with the local utility for the purpose of managing grid health and optimizing total system cost. Such an environment represents an inviting target for criminals, terrorists and other adversaries.

This course will examine the evolution of DER networks based on the IEEE 2030.5 standard, how this evolution introduces cybersecurity risks, and how these risks can be mitigated. This course is intended for students who are interested in exploring technical (e.g. cybersecurity, engineering, software, systems management), professional (e.g. architecture, marketing, finance), and operational (e.g. operations & maintenance, sit monitoring) careers in the rapidly growing distributed energy industry. Students will acquire a foundation in the basic cybersecurity concepts that are needed to
understand the more detailed considerations associated with securing DER in the grid.

This is a self-paced course with all assignments, quizzes, and final exams due by the end date of the course.  We strongly recommend that you make weekly progress in the lessons, quizzes and assignments. Should you need assistance, weekly virtual office hours are available or you may email the instructor at any time.

Learning Outcomes:

• By the end of this course, students will understand:
• How IEEE 2030.5-based networks are applied to DER systems today.
• The implications of remote DER system management to cybersecurity and grid health.
• The system architecture of IEEE 2030.5 networks in the DER context.
• The scope of cybersecurity features in contemporary IEEE 2030.5 products and solutions.
• The security vulnerabilities and threats associated with DER networks based on the IEEE 2030.5 standard.
• Mitigation plans for addressing current and future cybersecurity threats.