Micro Smart Micro-grid and Its Cyber Security Aspects in a Port Infrastructure

Maritime ports are intensive energy areas with a plenty of electrical systems that require an average power of many tens of megawatts (MW). Competitiveness, profits, reduction of pollution, reliability of operations, carbon emission trading are important energy related considerations for any port authority. Current technology allows the deployment of a local micro-grid of the size of tenths of MW, capable of islanded operation in case of emergency and to grant an increasing energy independency. Ownership of the grid permits a large flexibility on prices of energy sold inside the port, trading on local electric market and reduction of pollution. Renewable energy generation has a large impact on costs since features a low marginal cost. Unfortunately the smart grid is a critical asset within the port infrastructure and its intelligence is a high-level target for cyberattacks. Such attacks are often based on malicious software (malware), which makes use of a controlling entity on the network to coordinate and propagate. In this document, we will outline some features of a port smart grid and typical characteristics of cyber-attacks including potential ways to recognize it and suggestion for effective countermeasures.