Cyber-Physical Observability for the Electric Grid

The penetration of Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices in the electric grid is growing at a rapid pace; from smart meters at residential homes to distributed energy resource (DER) system technologies such as smart inverters, various devices are being integrated into the grid with added connectivity and communications. Furthermore, with these increased capabilities, automated grid-support functions, demand response, and advanced communication-assisted control schemes are being implemented to improve the operation of the grid. These advancements render our power systems increasingly cyber-physical. It is no longer sufficient to only focus on the physical interactions, especially when implementing cybersecurity mechanisms such as intrusion detection systems (IDSs) and mitigation schemes that need to access both cyber and physical data. This new landscape necessitates novel methods and technologies to successfully interact and understand the overall cyber-physical system. Specifically, this paper will investigate the need and definition of cyber-physical observability for the grid.