Design & Development Tools
Center for Securing Digital Energy Technology
Cirrus is an assessment tool designed specifically for grid and utility professionals. Cirrus helps navigate the complexities of cloud integration, enhancing operational resilience and efficiency in the electric grid sector. The Cirrus framework is designed for teams considering either a transition to or a first application in the cloud. This framework offers strategic guidance on how to prepare for, or deploy, a cloud solution responsibly.
Different electric grid systems have different data and communication service needs. Cirrus helps grid and utility professionals assess whether such systems benefit from a move to cloud-based services.
CIRRUS: A Cloud Assessment Tool
Cyber-Informed Engineering (CIE)
CIE is a cybersecurity method that builds tools for high-level implementation into the entire design of a system, from curriculum, through design standards and certification, to curriculum accreditation.
The Annotated Translated Disassembled Code (@DisCo) was created at INL from internal concepts for reverse engineering at scale. DOE-CESER funded the Firmware Indicator Translation (FIT) project, which led to @DisCo.This product is used to evaluate the design of firmware and software used in such clean-energy products as inverters, converters, and the distributed energy resource management system (DERMS).
Battery energy storage systems (BESS), inverters, and associated digital equipment are integral pieces of interdependent energy delivery systems. These systems are crucial for delivering resilient energy, providing fast ramping, emergency discharge, generation, and operational support to the electric grid. Despite advancements in securing raw and critical materials supply chains, the focus on digital control systems has often been overlooked, creating significant cybersecurity risks.
In alignment with DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Wind Energy Technologies Office (WETO) cybersecurity roadmap, this project provides actionable and strategic decision support that prioritizes the needs—based upon real-world analysis and evaluation—and use of security-hardening technologies for wind energy systems.
Specific recommendations include secure reference architectures and technology suitability.
