Research Project
DEFENDER: We defend energy
Through a research project we develop a framework that ensures safe and resilient management of critical infrastructures in the energy sector, mitigating computer and physical threats.
Where: international
Where: international
Challenge
The protection of Critical Energy Infrastructures (CEI), such as nuclear power plants, networks, etc. is playing an increasingly important role in our daily life. However, current theoretical approaches to countering threats are not enough, as they are based on incomplete models.
Approach
DEFENDER objectives are:
- Transforming Critical Energy Infrastructures in Cyber-Physical Systems to manage the effects of potential cyber and physical threats. - Managing infrastructure security using a life cycle analysis model.
- Training staff to identify threats and act in case of emergencies. Engineering is the coordinator of the project, it guides its administrative and technical management, contributes to data monitoring and will host the DEFENDER platform.
Digital Ecosystem
Solution
Digital Ecosystem
DEFENDER will:
- Combine security devices and technologies (e.g. fixed sensors, drones, advanced video surveillance, etc.) to identify cyber and physical threats, mitigate accidents and respond to emergencies.
- Provide a "Human-In-The-Loop" approach to manage the interactions between human and infrastructure, also exploiting blockchain technology for peer-to-peer reliability. DEFENDER will be tested in a laboratory of the AACHEN University, in Germany, and in 4 real-life situations (in Belgium, Italy and Slovenia) covering the entire energy value chain: a nuclear power plant (in collaboration with ENGIE ), a decentralized plant (in collaboration with BFP), a TSO HV network (in collaboration with ELES), a DSO network (in collaboration with ASM) and a producer / consumer.
Financing Framework
Results
Accident mitigation and rapid response to emergencies
Solid tracking of operations through blockchain
Impacts
Technologies
Security
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