Growing threat to Australia’s renewable energy efforts

Australia’s mission is to become a more energy efficient country.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency recently announced a $100 million initiative to explore and expand solar energy options. Further investment in energy storage, pumped hydro and low-carbon grids could prove equally significant.

But the country also needs to address a fundamental challenge: integrating a solid IT and software foundation into the OT environments that support the networks. Without them, Australia may struggle to fully realize its renewable energy ambitions.

OT and IT convergence

OT refers to hardware and software that detect or cause changes by directly monitoring and controlling physical devices, processes, and events in an enterprise. IT involves the use of systems—especially computers and telecommunications—to store, retrieve, and send information.

Traditionally, these two forms of technology have been fairly separate and managed independently. However, integrating OT and IT is essential to modernizing power grids.

As IBM notes, there are four areas where such integration must be effective:

• Smart meters: Smart meters measure a consumer’s energy usage in real time, providing detailed information on consumption patterns to both the consumer and the energy supplier.
• Sensors and automation devices: They are installed throughout the grid to monitor voltage, current, and load, among other metrics. They can automatically adjust parameters to prevent overloads and extended, large power outages.
• Communication networks: The foundation of any smart grid, communication networks facilitate the transmission of data between various components, including sensors, automation devices, and control centers. Transmission systems can be wired or wireless and use a range of communication protocols and technologies, such as Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, Zigbee, and 4G/5G.
• Software and analytics: Smart grids generate vast amounts of data. To manage, analyze, and interpret this data, utilities rely on advanced software and analytics tools. This software—and the information it provides—can help utilities predict demand patterns, identify potential problems, and optimize the distribution network.

The Role of AI in Energy Management

Artificial intelligence is playing an increasingly important role in sustainability efforts, with some tech giants like Microsoft, Google and IBM using AI to help reduce climate damage.

These technologies, such as machine learning and data analytics, enable smart grids to predict energy demand, optimize its distribution, and even predict potential failures before they occur.

AI-based energy management systems can also analyze vast amounts of data from a variety of sources, including weather forecasts, energy usage patterns, and grid performance metrics. This analysis can help build systems that automate energy production and distribution, ensuring that supply efficiently meets demand.

Cybersecurity: A Growing Threat to Renewable Energy Efforts

Australia faces a high risk of cyber threats via OT, which is impacting the country’s renewable energy ambitions. With 82% of organisations experiencing cyberattacks via OT systems, the risk of them being introduced into the Australian energy grid increases as it digitises.

The country is also increasingly reliant on a highly decentralised approach to energy, which means the attack surface is much larger. For example, rooftop solar panels – solar panels on individual homes and businesses that are then connected to the grid via IoT devices, software and digital technologies – are a contributing factor to the fact that 40% of Australia’s energy is now supplied by renewable sources.

The increasing integration of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind into Australia’s power grid has made it a prime target for cybercriminals. The adoption of smart devices and IoT technologies in the energy sector has expanded the attack surface, making it easier for hackers to infiltrate and disrupt operations.

The need to increase investment in cybersecurity

For Australia to effectively use renewable energy, it must develop a solid foundation in information technology.

The Australian Energy Sector Cybersecurity Framework is a good regulatory step forward, building on effective frameworks such as the US Department of Energy’s Electricity Subsector Cybersecurity Capability Maturation Model and harmonising it with Australian-specific control references such as ACSC Essential 8.

But it’s also important for the IT channel—including IT professionals and service providers—and IT professionals to bring the skills and knowledge to manage and secure integrated energy systems. This includes understanding the unique challenges of OT environments and how to effectively apply IT solutions.

Such a strategy could enable Australia to make a transition to renewable energy that is not only effective, but also secure against the growing number of cyberattacks.