Enhancing grid resilience and cybersecurity considering visible light communication in electric vehicle charging units powered by green hydrogen

The complexity of the power grid has increased due to the unpredictability of renewable energy sources and the risk of cyber attacks targeting smart grids through devices like inverters and energy meters. Besides, the operating frequency and voltage must comply with IEEE 929–2000 in case of abnormal grid faults. This study introduces a new monitoring and protection system with visible light communication (VLCom) to address these issues in a green hydrogen-powered smart grid. The proposed system provides optical isolation from both cyber-attacks and abnormal grid operating conditions, and it has a new VLCom approach that considers the grid protection of EV charging units in the literature. A developed VLCom grid protection relay enhances the smart grid's resilience and cybersecurity. The developed system is implemented in real-time with LabVIEW and is tested for abnormal voltage and frequency conditions. The results show that the proposed system is reliably within the limits specified in IEEE 929–2000 standards with 98.23 % signal transmission accuracy. • A new optical protection system for green hydrogen-powered smart grids. • Enhancing grid resilience and cybersecurity using visible light communication. • Providing optical isolation against cyber-attacks and abnormal grid conditions. • 98.23 % signal transmission accuracy compatible with IEEE 929–2000. • Suitable for practical applications of hydrogen energy-based microgrids.