A Comprehensive Review of Cyber Security Enhancements for PMU Communications in Microgrids

Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) are crucial components for monitoring the operational conditions of smart grids. As the PMU communication network often spans a wide area, it is susceptible to cyber-attacks. The current communication standard for PMU communication, IEEE C37.118.2, lacks explicit security measures to defend PMU data against cyber threats. The absence of robust security measures leaves the PMU communication network vulnerable to potential disruptions. A compromise in the integrity of transmitted PMU data can have severe consequences, such as grid outages. To address these challenges, this paper presents a comprehensive review of existing literature on cyber security enhancements for PMU communications. The review focuses on identifying vulnerabilities and potential threats to PMU systems and explores various techniques and strategies proposed to mitigate these risks. Topics covered include secure communication protocols, intrusion detection systems, encryption algorithms, authentication mechanisms, and anomaly detection techniques. By providing an overview of the current state of research, this review aims to highlight the importance of securing PMU communications and identify future directions for enhancing cyber security in this domain.