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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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DOE OSTI2025

Best Practices for Grid Communications

As the grid evolves, the communications architecture will need to evolve with it. That architecture affords a structured means by which the evolving complexities of the modern electric grid can be managed. This document provides best practices that can be implemented in the grid of today and evolve towards the grid and grid architecture of the future. The evolving grid and its control communications increasingly rely on commercial communications providers and a variety of technologies, from wireless (e.g., 5G, microwave, Wi-Fi) to wireline (fiber, copper) to radio communications (P25, other repeater-based systems), and all these communications systems rely on electric power. A reliable and resilient grid must account for this complex set of interdependencies in its planning activities, especially those involving restoration and recovery. The participation of all relevant parties in both planning and exercising of plans can prevent unexpected conditions that impede the reliable operation and recovery of the grid. Best practices for grid communications include using a Network Management System to document the operational state, define and monitor baselines, detect changes, and accelerate response to abnormalities. If transitioning from SONET to IP/packet-based systems, translating grid requirements into communications requirements for latency, bandwidth and throughput, IP packet delay variation, packet loss, and availability should inform and drive technology planning and selection as well as that communication system’s Quality of Service (QoS) policies and Service Level Agreements (SLAs). Secure and reliable timing is another key component of a reliable and resilient grid that can operate through adverse events. A trusted internal NTP configuration, an integrated and diverse timing delivery system, optimizing the timing architecture based on the transport technologies of the communications system, and using established standards can deliver the level of timing accuracy required by a range of time-sensitive power system applications.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2025

Grid Communications Supply Chain & Emerging Regulation Challenges Session 1

The TADA Grid Communications Workshops are designed to strengthen cybersecurity and digital assurance across the energy sector by focusing on secure deployment and management of grid communications technologies. These workshops bring together state energy offices, utilities, and technology suppliers to explore the intersection of communications infrastructure, supply chain risks, and emerging regulatory requirements. Participants will apply Cyber-Informed Engineering (CIE) principles to reduce risks in communications systems, engage with INL’s procurement guidance, and explore future tools. Through scenario-based exercises and peer exchange, attendees will develop risk-based security strategies and actionable compliance roadmaps tailored to their grid communications projects. The workshops also help participants navigate evolving regulatory frameworks such as FEOC rules in the OBBB, NERC CIP-013, and NDAA 2024, while identifying compliance gaps in mixed-technology environments. A key outcome is the formation of a practitioner network with ongoing access to INL expertise and resources, fostering long-term resilience in the digital energy ecosystem.

29 - ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Grid Communications: Cybersecurity and Supply Chain Challenges and Emerging Regulation Session Three

The TADA Grid Communications Workshops are designed to strengthen cybersecurity and digital assurance across the energy sector by focusing on secure deployment and management of grid communications technologies. These workshops bring together state energy offices, utilities, and technology suppliers to explore the intersection of communications infrastructure, supply chain risks, and emerging regulatory requirements. Participants will apply Cyber-Informed Engineering (CIE) principles to reduce risks in communications systems, engage with INL’s procurement guidance, and explore future tools. Through scenario-based exercises and peer exchange, attendees will develop risk-based security strategies and actionable compliance roadmaps tailored to their grid communications projects. The workshops also help participants navigate evolving regulatory frameworks such as FEOC rules in the OBBB, NERC CIP-013, and NDAA 2024, while identifying compliance gaps in mixed-technology environments. A key outcome is the formation of a practitioner network with ongoing access to INL expertise and resources, fostering long-term resilience in the digital energy ecosystem. This is Session 3 of 3 (Full Version).

29 - ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Grid Communications: Digital Assurance and Supply Chain Challenges and Emerging Regulation Session Two

The TADA Grid Communications Workshops are designed to strengthen cybersecurity and digital assurance across the energy sector by focusing on secure deployment and management of grid communications technologies. These workshops bring together state energy offices, utilities, and technology suppliers to explore the intersection of communications infrastructure, supply chain risks, and emerging regulatory requirements. Participants will apply Cyber-Informed Engineering (CIE) principles to reduce risks in communications systems, engage with INL’s procurement guidance, and explore future tools. Through scenario-based exercises and peer exchange, attendees will develop risk-based security strategies and actionable compliance roadmaps tailored to their grid communications projects. The workshops also help participants navigate evolving regulatory frameworks such as FEOC rules in the OBBB, NERC CIP-013, and NDAA 2024, while identifying compliance gaps in mixed-technology environments. A key outcome is the formation of a practitioner network with ongoing access to INL expertise and resources, fostering long-term resilience in the digital energy ecosystem. This is Session 2 of 3 (Full Version).

29 - ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2018

Simulation-Based Parameter Optimization Framework for Large-Scale Hybrid Smart Grid Communications Systems Design

The design of reliable, dynamic, fault-tolerant hybrid smart grid communication networks is a challenge to achieve for autonomous power grids. Hybrid networks use different communications technologies for different area networks. A simulation-based parameter optimization framework is proposed to tune parameters of hybrid communication technologies to achieve the optimal network performance. It consists of three main components: a parallel executor used to speedup a list of simulations; a sampler running simulations using the parallel executor at each generation; and a hybrid stochastic optimization algorithm for tuning configurable parameters of hybrid designs and applications. The proposed hybrid metaheuristic optimization algorithm combines an evolutionary algorithm with a gradient method to quickly achieve an approximately global optimum solution. Three optimization test functions are employed to train the adjustable parameters of the hybrid algorithm. Results show the proposed parameter optimization framework can help the designer choose the right hybrid architecture with an optimal parameter set for a large-scale broadband PLC-WiMAX hybrid smart grid communication network.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2019

Analysis of Hybrid Smart Grid Communication Network Designs for Distributed Energy Resources Coordination

The rapid growth of distributed energy resources (DERs) has prompted increasing interest in the monitoring and control of DERs through hybrid smart grid communications. This paper develops a new method to investigate the impact of DER penetrations and applications on hybrid communications network designs. A suite of hybrid communications simulation models are developed using Network Simulator 3 (ns-3). The smart grid communications topologies with different DER penetrations are built on the utility-scale distribution grid. The simulation results show that (i) with increasing photovoltaic penetrations, nine hybrid communications designs achieve the expected latency albeit with higher packet loss rate; and (ii) both BPLC-Ethernet and BPLC-WiMAX designs can accommodate the DER applications with a high data rate up to 100 Mbps.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2022

Authentication of smart grid communications using quantum key distribution

Smart grid solutions enable utilities and customers to better monitor and control energy use via information and communications technology. Information technology is intended to improve the future electric grid’s reliability, efficiency, and sustainability by implementing advanced monitoring and control systems. However, leveraging modern communications systems also makes the grid vulnerable to cyberattacks. Here we report the first use of quantum key distribution (QKD) keys in the authentication of smart grid communications. In particular, we make such demonstration on a deployed electric utility fiber network. The developed method was prototyped in a software package to manage and utilize cryptographic keys to authenticate machine-to-machine communications used for supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA). This demonstration showcases the feasibility of using QKD to improve the security of critical infrastructure, including future distributed energy resources (DERs), such as energy storage.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2024

Toward Wireless Smart Grid Communications: An Evaluation of Protocol Latencies in an Open-Source 5G Testbed

Fifth-generation networks promise wide availability of wireless communication with inherent security features. The 5G standards also outline access for different applications requiring low latency, machine-to-machine communication, or mobile broadband. These networks can be advantageous to numerous applications that require widespread and diverse communications. One such application is found in smart grids. Smart grid networks, and Operational Technology (OT) networks in general, utilize a variety of communication protocols for low-latency control, data monitoring, and reporting at every level. Transitioning these network communications from wired Wide Area Networks (WANs) to wireless communication through 5G can provide additional benefits to their security and network configurability. However, introducing these wireless capabilities may also result in a degradation of network latency. In this paper, we propose utilizing 5G for smart grid communications, and we evaluate the latency impacts of encapsulating GOOSE, Modbus, and DNP3 for transmission over a 5G network. The OpenAirInterface open-source library is utilized to deploy an in-lab 5G Core Network and gNB for testing with off-the-shelf User Equipment (UE). This creates an effective 5G test platform for experimenting with different OT protocols such as GOOSE. The results are validated by measuring two different Intelligent Electronic Devices’ contact closure times for each network configuration. These tests are also conducted for varying packet sizes in order to isolate different sources of network latency. Our study outlines the latency impact of communication over 5G for time-critical and non-critical applications regarding their transition toward private 5G-based OT network implementations. The conducted experiments illustrate that in the case of GOOSE packets, simple encapsulation may exceed the protocol’s time-critical nature, and, therefore, additional measures must be taken to ensure a viable transition of GOOSE to 5G services. However, non-critical applications are shown to be viable for migration to 5G.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2025

Securing Grid Communications Infrastructure: Addressing Gaps Beyond NERC CIP Facility Perimeters

The North American electric grid relies on a complex communications infrastructure that extends beyond facility perimeters traditionally covered by NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) standards. While CIP requirements have significantly strengthened cybersecurity within Electronic Security Perimeters, many operational communications—such as those between control centers, substations, and third-party networks—fall outside current regulatory scope. As grid modernization introduces new technologies and connectivity models, these external pathways present evolving security challenges. This brief explores the nature of these challenges, including emerging attack vectors and supply chain considerations, and highlights how ongoing grid transformation increases exposure to sophisticated threats. It outlines practical strategies and policy options to complement existing standards, such as expanding secure communications practices, enhancing supply chain transparency, and fostering collaboration among federal, state, and industry stakeholders. Near-term actions like encryption, authentication, and contractual safeguards can help reduce risk while longer-term frameworks are developed to ensure resilient and secure grid operations.

24 - POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2024

Trust Model Utilization for Energy Grid Communication

The internet information that is used by the Energy Grid of Things requires both preventative security measures as well as surveillance measures. The preventative security measures include certificates, encryption, and all of the basic security protocols as defined by published standards. The surveillance measures include monitoring information flow activities and evaluating these messages for indications of potential security attacks. We describe in this paper the utilization of a Distributed Trust Model that was developed specifically for monitoring communication within an Energy Grid of Things. The goal for the Distributed Trust Models is to provide a level of aggregate trust that a Distributed Energy Resource Management System can meet its grid service obligations, as opposed to a detailed individual Distributed Energy Resources assessment.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2019

Optimal placement of data concentrators for expansion of the smart grid communications network

Evolving power systems with increasing renewables penetration, along with the development of the smart grid, calls for improved communication networks to support these distributed generation sources. Automatic and optimal placement of communication resources within the advanced metering infrastructure is critical to provide a high‐performing, reliable, and resilient power system. Three network design formulations based on mixed‐integer linear and non‐linear programming approaches are proposed to minimise network congestion by optimising residual buffer capacity through the placement of data concentrators and network routeing. Results on a case study show that the proposed models improve network connectivity and robustness, and increase average residual buffer capacity. Maximising average residual capacity alone, however, results in both oversaturated and underutilised nodes, while maximising either minimum residual capacity or total reciprocal residual capacity can yield much‐improved network load allocation. Consideration of connection redundancy improves network reliability further by ensuring quality‐of‐service in the event of an outage. Analysis of multi‐period network expansion shows that the models do not deviate significantly from optimal when used progressively (within 5% deviation), and are effective for utility planners to use for smart grid expansion.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2019

Coordination of Transmission, Distribution and Communication Systems for Prompt Power System Recovery after Disasters:Report – Grid and Communication Interdependency Review and Characterization of Typical Communication Systems

In this report, we first reviewed communication technologies and systems for the grid as well as their roles (impact) in restoration, aiming to fill the knowledge gap of interdependence between the physical grid and the communication system. We also proposed several key characteristics and metrics of typical communication systems based on analysis of a realistic communication system. These metrics and characteristics will be used as input for developing or generating synthetic communication systems in the next phase. Lastly, we reviewed methods of creating synthetic power system models and proposed improvements to one potential method that will be considered in the next phase of the project.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2019

Widespread Loss of Communications in Grid Systems: Impacts and Response Strategies

This report explores the reliance on communication systems for bulk grid operations and considers selected options as a supplement to cyber security. The extreme scenario of a complete loss of communications for power grid operation is assessed, presenting a bounded, worst-case perspective. The paper explores grid communications failures and how a system modifications can, at an increased cost, retain a moderate level of preparedness for a loss of communications and control when used in partnership with cyber security protocols. Doing so allows the increased economic and secure operation that communication based controls affords, but also ensures a level of resilient operation if they are lost. The motivation of this paper is due to the proliferation of photovoltaic (PV) resources, and more generally, smart-grid resources within the US grid, which are requiring more and more active and wide-area controls. Though the loss of communication and control can affect nearly any grid control system, the risk of losing load at large scales requires a broad view of system interconnectivity, so it has been evaluated from a transmission perspective in this report.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Moving Target Defense Routing for SDN-enabled Smart Grid

The increasing attack surface area in the smart grid communication networks is making the grid more susceptible to cyber attacks that can lead to instability of the grid and even blackouts. While there are multiple types of cyber attacks that can impact the grid, Denial of Service (DoS) attacks are relatively easier to inject as they require lesser knowledge about the system as compared to data integrity attacks. Various research works showcase methods to prevent or mitigate the impacts of DoS attacks in the smart grid but the research still lacks in demonstrating the feasibility and efficacy of the solutions in a real-world environment. In this paper, we propose a Moving Target Defense (MTD)-enabled Software Defined Network (SDN) for the Smart Grid communication implemented on a Hardwarein- the-Loop (HIL) Testbed. We showcase the implementation of the proposed architecture of MTD-enabled SDN using Mininet 2.3.0 which enables communication between the physical grid and the control center. The results show the advantages of using MTD based on SDN for the wide-area network (WAN) with much lower packet drop percentages in the case of MTD-based routing in the SDN WAN. Index Terms—SDN,

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗