A distributed voltage inference framework for cyber-physical attacks detection and localization in active distribution grids

Journal Article · Mon May 19 00:00:00 EDT 2025 · Sustainable Energy, Grids and Networks

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.segan.2025.101750· OSTI ID:3015748

Ali, Mazhar ^[1]; Sun, Wei ^[1]

---

1. Univ. of Central Florida, Orlando, FL (United States)

The transition to active distribution grids with real-time monitoring and control depends on the proliferation of advanced communication networks and devices. This paradigm shift towards a cyber-physical architecture also introduces new vulnerabilities for adversaries to exploit and launch sophisticated cyber-physical attacks targeting grid observability. Current research highlights the challenges in distinguishing attacks on voltage phasor or nodal injection measurements and isolating multi-source attack locations in a multiphase distribution grid. The attack detection and localization methods in literature face accuracy issues, applications across diverse attack scenarios, or scalability limits. Here, to bridge these gaps, this paper proposes a distributed Voltage Inference framework for real-time detection and localization of cyber-physical attacks, addressing scalability, adaptability, and accuracy challenges in state-of-the-art methods. The proposed methodology leverages the distributed nature of the Voltage Inference framework through a two-step process of prediction and correction, together with a tractable graph partitioning approach, providing a reliable solution to identify compromised measurement sources and facilitate isolation. Extensive testing on IEEE 13 and 123-node distribution feeders underscores the algorithm’s efficacy, enhancing the security and resilience of active distribution grids against evolving cyber threats. Additionally, Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) implementation validates the proposed strategy’s practical applicability in real-world scenarios.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Central Florida, Orlando, FL (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Solar Energy Technologies Office
• Grant/Contract Number: EE0009339
• OSTI ID: 3015748
• Journal Information: Sustainable Energy, Grids and Networks, Journal Name: Sustainable Energy, Grids and Networks Vol. 43; ISSN 2352-4677
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

active distribution grids
cyber physical systems
cyber-physical attacks
voltage inference