CESAR to Host Inaugural Industry Advisory Board Meeting and Grid Security Forum

CHARLOTTE, NC — On Monday, September 9, 2024, the Center for Energy Security and Reliability (CESAR) at UNC Charlotte will launch its inaugural Industry Advisory Board (IAB) meeting. This pivotal event will be held from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Energy Production and Infrastructure Center (EPIC) on UNC Charlotte’s main campus.
The meeting will focus on the increasing cybersecurity risks posed by distributed energy resources (DERs), such as batteries, rooftop solar panels, and electric vehicles, which are becoming integral to grid management but are often not covered by existing cybersecurity standards.

As the energy sector increasingly relies on these DERs, new attack vectors emerge, challenging traditional protection mechanisms.

Following the IAB meeting, CESAR, in collaboration with the Defense Alliance of North Carolina (DANC), UNC Charlotte, will host a forum on Grid Security at the Edge and the Threat Environment. This forum, taking place at the Harris Alumni Center, UNC Charlotte will feature presentations and an interactive round-table discussion, concluding with a networking reception.

CESAR’s research facilities are designed to address these emerging threats. The center’s Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) Testbed and Large Scale Integrated Transmission Distribution (TD) Testbed provide critical resources for understanding and mitigating cyber threats. The HIL Testbed allows researchers to test actual DERs connected to power system simulators, while the TD Testbed models large-scale impacts of cyberattacks, enabling comprehensive evaluations of potential vulnerabilities.

The Industry Advisory Board’s role will be crucial in guiding CESAR’s research and development efforts. The board will offer insights on how to optimize the testbeds, develop standards for testing internet-connected DERs, and create educational modules for industry practitioners and students.

While the IAB meeting is invite only. If you are interested in registering Grid Security Forum, please register here