Multi-timescale Reinforcement Security on Cyber-Physical Smart Grids: Design, Monitoring, and Operation

Objective

The rapid integration of distributed energy resources (DERs), renewable generation, and advanced communication technologies is transforming modern smart grids into complex cyber-physical systems (CPS). While these developments enhance efficiency and flexibility, they also expose power infrastructures to escalating cyber and physical threats, as highlighted by recent large-scale blackouts and targeted cyberattacks in Europe. Ensuring the resilience of CPS-based smart grids is therefore of urgent societal, economic, and scientific importance. This project, Multi-timescale Reinforcement Security on Cyber-Physical Smart Grids (MRSSG), proposes a novel three-tier security framework spanning long-, mid-, and short-term timescales. At the cyber level, the project will design spatiotemporal deep learning algorithms to detect heterogeneous attacks—including stealth, denial-of-service, replay, and false data injection—by capturing both dynamic power flow variations and network topology features. At the operational level, distributed attack-resilient control with adaptive laws will be developed to mitigate real-time disturbances and preserve reliable grid operations without reliance on centralized structures. At the physical level, a canonical self-disciplined stabilization controller will be established to guarantee large-signal stability across diverse DER converters, enabling autonomous plug-and-play resilience without disclosing sensitive system parameters. By addressing critical knowledge gaps in multi-timescale detection, mitigation, and stabilization, MRSSG will strengthen the security and reliability of European smart grids under extensive cyber-physical risks. The outcomes will contribute new theoretical foundations, open-source algorithms, and practical implementation guidelines, ensuring robust protection for essential services and supporting Europe's transition toward a sustainable, secure, and digitally integrated energy future.