Cyberthreats to Smart Inverters in Household Photovoltaic Systems

This paper presents threats emerging from the rise in implementation of emerging technologies, such as smart inverters, on everyday human life and their impact on sustainability. Focusing on household photovoltaic systems, this study provides a detailed analysis of the energy production and the trends in the photovoltaic market. A specific application on household photovoltaic systems located in Poland has been carried out in order to assess the potential danger arising from cyberattacks. As the number of distributed energy resources {XE “distributed energy resources”} on the grid increases, the need for smart inverter functionality has grown. In this framework, the present work includes a review of past cyberattacks and their repercussions on technologic developments of smart inverters and on society in general. Additionally, measures to ensure that smart inverter capabilities can be fully realized and to prevent cyberattacks are also discussed. Through the simulation of multiple experimental scenarios, remaining existing threats to the penetration of smart technologies aimed at enhancing grid reliability are identified. The results achieved provide strategic tools to address cybersecurity issues, including those of photovoltaic installations, as well as to promote countries’ energy independence.