Smart Grid cyber test bed development

Abstract

Smart Grids and Power Systems are becoming more computerized, intelligent and integrated with the cyber world very rapidly. Entering another realm, such as cyber space, poses new threats and issues for modern day power systems. In order to understand these threats, a cyber-power test bed was developed for testing cyber-attacks on an electric power grid system, along with its crucial components and data. The cyber-power test bed in development includes: the RTDS machine (Real Time Digital Simulator) for simulating the power system, a computer with a virtual machine that will simulate the power system via RSCAD, an SQL database to store the important data for the power system that is streamed via OpenPDC, an attacking computer with a virtual machine containing common hacking tools, and a network switch to place all virtual and real machines on the same network for an isolated testing environment. Finally, this system was developed successfully and the result of this experiment supported the concept of developing a smart grid cyber test bed.