Digital Substations: Cyberattack detection system for small modular reactor-based power plants.

Small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs), with capacities under 300 MWe, are proposed as potential solutions to various challenges in nuclear power, such as economic viability, safety, proliferation risks, and waste management. Their compact size makes them ideal for areas with limited grid capacity and allows for flexible energy generation and integration with renewable sources, which is increasingly essential for developing economies. However, the cyber security of SMRs is vital due to their importance in national infrastructure and potential vulnerabilities within their supply chains, which could lead to serious safety and operational disruptions from cyber-attacks. The risk is compounded by blended attack strategies, where physical and cyber assaults are executed simultaneously, highlighting the need for robust cyber security measures as outlined by the International Atomic Energy Agency. In response, this article discusses the cyber security challenges faced by SMR-based power plants, presenting a system that analyzes the impacts of cyber-attacks on these reactors within smart grid frameworks. It employs real-time simulators to emulate power and communication behaviors and introduces a Cyber-Attack Detection System (CADS) utilizing machine learning algorithms to detect threats early in their progression.