Securing smart microgrids with a novel multi-layer cybersecurity framework for Industry 4.0 renewable energy systems

Smart microgrids as a component of Industry 4.0 practices and a higher integration of renewable power resources have brought about unique cybersecurity problems. The objective is to provide the necessary immunity against cyber threats to keep the grid and infrastructure intact. A new multiple-layer cybersecurity framework is introduced in this paper to counter the risks posed by smart microgrids. The framework comprises best practices such as advanced anomaly detection systems, blockchain-based authentication, and real-time threat mitigation strategies employing AI techniques. According to the assessment, the developed framework launched has a better 96.5% detection accuracy compared to the 85% that traditional approaches offered. In addition, the framework adds another filter that decreases the false positive rate to 2.1 against 10 for conventional solutions. Strictly speaking, RIN increases the communication delay by 66.7% (from 15 to 25 ms) and energy overhead by 50% (from 3% to 4.5%), while the mitigation efficiency is the highest at 89%, and the resilience of the proposed system is 92%. The grid stability effect is still relatively small at 3.8%, so the fluctuating renewable power systems can continue. It also synthesizes knowledge for furthering Critical Energy infrastructure protection under the setting of Industry 4.0 and for future work to optimize the scalability and actual application of smart microgrids.