Vulnerable Energy System
Unfortunately, the high degree of digitisation has also made our energy system more vulnerable. Partners are working on innovative solutions to protect existing IT and OT infrastructure and to develop “Secure by Design” energy services and energy hub architecture. For example, South Holland is leading the way in making the energy system cyber-secure.
Concrete Solutions
Energy hubs are local collaborations in which companies and organisations intelligently coordinate the generation, consumption, and storage of energy. By organising smart technology and digitalisation within (decentralised) energy hubs, we can help accelerate the energy transition.
The project partners are working on concrete solutions for digital security during the design, development, and management phases of these decentralised energy hubs.
- Design: Setting up digitally secure decentralised energy hubs
- Development: Energy solutions designed to be “secure by design” and capable of being securely connected
- Operation & Maintenance: Protection of existing IT and OT infrastructure
The knowledge gained will be consolidated and translated into practical insights for the secure deployment of energy hubs.
Research into Innovative Solutions for SMEs
Three fieldlabs are involved in this project. At these physical test sites with existing energy infrastructure, SMEs from the energy and security sectors develop and test new technologies and security solutions. They are also working on practical ways to securely set up local energy hubs.
For example, aXite Security Tools is building a “digital twin” of the Slim Strandnet in Scheveningen: a digital replica of the installation in which vulnerabilities and security measures can be tested without affecting the energy supply. LiveDrop is doing this with its virtual data diode solution for Do IoT Fieldlab. At the Sustainability Factory, Technolution, Vitrumnet, and VMB Automation are exploring the possibilities of security systems, such as the choice between centralised or decentralised monitoring at the product level. At The Green Village, Currentt and Weaver Technologies will be raising the security level of their current energy products and services. Comforest is doing the same at Do IoT Fieldlab.
Partnership
The following parties are involved in this initiative:
- Entrepreneurs in the energy and security sectors: aXite Security Tools, Comforest, Currentt, LiveDrop, Technolution, VitrumNet, VMB Automation, and Weaver Technologies
- Knowledge institutions/field labs: ROC DaVinci College/Duurzaamheidsfabriek, Living Lab Scheveningen, and TU Delft with The Green Village and Do IoT Fieldlab
- Security Delta (HSD) security cluster
Funding
This project is affiliated with the Innovation Coalition for a Cybersecure Energy Transition and is made possible by the “Kansen voor West” program (aimed at promoting the competitiveness of the Dutch West region) and the European Union.
