Work

Deceptive Cyber-Resilience in PV Grids: Digital Twin-Assisted Optimization Against Cyber-Physical Attacks

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The increasing integration of photovoltaic (PV) systems into smart grids introduces new cybersecurity vulnerabilities, particularly against cyber-physical attacks that can manipulate grid operations and disrupt renewable energy generation. This paper proposes a multi-layered cyber-resilient PV optimization framework, leveraging digital twin-based deception, reinforcement learning-driven cyber defense, and blockchain authentication to enhance grid security and operational efficiency. A deceptive cyber-defense mechanism is developed using digital twin technology to mislead adversaries, dynamically generating synthetic PV operational data to divert attack focus away from real assets. A deep reinforcement learning (DRL)-based defense model optimizes adaptive attack mitigation strategies, ensuring real-time response to evolving cyber threats. Blockchain authentication is incorporated to prevent unauthorized data manipulation and secure system integrity. The proposed framework is modeled as a multi-objective optimization problem, balancing attack diversion efficiency, system resilience, computational overhead, and energy dispatch efficiency. A non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-III) is employed to achieve Pareto-optimal solutions, ensuring high system resilience while minimizing computational burdens. Extensive case studies on a realistic PV-integrated smart grid test system demonstrate that the framework achieves an attack diversion efficiency of up to 94.2%, improves cyberattack detection rates to 98.5%, and maintains an energy dispatch efficiency above 96.2%, even under coordinated cyber threats. Furthermore, computational overhead is analyzed to ensure that security interventions do not impose excessive delays on grid operation. The results validate that digital twin-based deception, reinforcement learning, and blockchain authentication can significantly enhance cyber-resilience in PV-integrated smart grids. This research provides a scalable and adaptive cybersecurity framework that can be applied to future renewable energy systems, ensuring grid security, operational stability, and sustainable energy management under adversarial conditions.

Source: Energies

DOI: 10.3390/en18123145

Authors: Bo Li, Xin Jin, Tingjie Ba, Tingzhe Pan, En Wang, Zhiming Gu

Institutions: Yunnan Power Grid Co., Ltd. (China), China Southern Power Grid (China)

Language: English

Topic: Smart Grid Security and Resilience

Subfield: Control and Systems Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137