Algorithm to safeguard microgrids from cyberattacks

Rourkela, August 25: A multi-institutional team led by National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela has developed an algorithm to bolster cyber resilience and stability in microgrids, the localised power systems that play a crucial role in global energy transition.

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The research spearheaded by Pravat Kumar Ray, professor and head of the Department of Electrical Engineering at NIT Rourkela, introduces a Modified Improved Whale Optimisation (MIWO) algorithm. The method draws inspiration from the hunting strategies of humpback whales, which use bubble-net feeding by circling fish and releasing bubbles to trap them.

Microgrids integrate renewable sources such as solar and wind power with storage and traditional generators. While vital to clean energy adoption, these systems rely heavily on digital communication networks, leaving them vulnerable to cyber threats such as false data injection and time-delay attacks.