Energy systems as a critical infrastructure: Threats, solutions, and future outlook

The energy system has transformed into a huge network of interconnected digital assets generating big data, thanks to the digitalization trend and large-scale integration of small-scale distributed energy resources, such as wind turbines, solar photovoltaics systems, and electric vehicles. On the one hand, these renewable energy technologies are in line with recent climate policies to support the energy transition. On the other hand, digitalization and large-scale integration of small-scale energy resources increase the complexity and criticality of the energy system, making it more vulnerable to cyber-physical attacks. Such threats are expected to become even more critical due to natural disasters caused by climate change. This chapter summarizes the different sources of criticality in energy systems, mainly classified into manmade and naturally caused. Further, it discusses the potential technological and digital design solutions that can mitigate the impact of those threats and enhance energy system resilience. The chapter ends with discussions of the challenges associated with those solutions and an outlook for energy system resilience. The chapter aims to improve the understanding of the energy system as a critical infrastructure.