The Agency is arranging a workshop in Brussels, on Wednesday 29/02, on the subject of cyber security challenges of Smart Grids.
What are smart grids?
Smart grids are the future for more efficient electricity distribution. A smart grid is an umbrella term that covers modernisation of both the transmission and electronic distribution grids. An electrical grid is not a single element, but an aggregate of multiple networks and multiple power generation operators, with varying degree of communication and coordination. Smart grids increase the connectivity, automation and coordination between these suppliers, consumers and networks for long distance transmission or local distribution tasks.
This reduces costs, increases safety, and make the energy consumption smarter. Yet, it is a challenge to make sure these modern systems are reliable, and resilient against attacks.
Consequences of smart grids
Smart Grid will facilitate greater customer participation, allow for all types and sizes of generation, provide adequate power quality, efficiency, security and reliability, and will create opportunities for new services and market integration.
They will dramatically change the electricity grid as we know it today. Traditional energy services and markets will undergo a significant transformation, which will evolve the role of customers – they will be efficient energy consumers and electricity producers (so called – prosumers) at the same time.
Focussing on smart grids; forthcoming workshop in Brussels.
The Agency is arranging a workshop in Brussels, on Wednesday 29/02, engaging all stakeholders on the subject of cyber security challenges of Smart Grids.
The workshop constitutes a backdrop for input to the forthcoming ENISA Smart Grid Security Study, due for publication in March, 2012. This study will give a comprehensive ‘panorama’ of current Smart Grid challenges and initiatives in- and outside Europe.
Contact
For press questions and interviews, please contact: press@enisa.europa.eu.