Simulation Model for Threat and Impact Analysis on Modern Electrical Power Systems

Abstract

The increase in interconnected devices in electrical power systems raises the attack surface of a network and therefore the system connected within the network. Cyber-attacks can lead to power cut of an individual system or multiple systems required in the power generation stage and critical in normal operation of the plant. With the purpose to monitor and understand the impacts of cyber-attacks at the component level, system level and plant level, a testbed simulation environment for the Electrical Power Systems in a virtual power plant was modelled. This paper provides comprehensive information about the developed Simulink model for the electrical power system. The Simulink model was created to leverage freedom of customizing and testing of diverse cyber threat scenarios. The simulation model was set to communicate with physical controller to analyse the system level and plant level impacts of cyber-attacks on the physical devices.