R&D Collaborations

CyberStress - Development of a comprehensive stress test methodology and scenarios for the energy sector

The energy transition demands increasing decentralization and temporal flexibility in our energy systems, requiring extensive automation. At the same time, power grids as critical infrastructures are vulnerable to various disturbances, including cyberattacks. With automation and interconnectivity, the attack surface expands disproportionately, potentially impacting supply security.

The focus of the "CyberStress" project is to develop a comprehensive stress test methodology for energy systems. The goal is to help regulatory authorities strike a balance between security progress and the potential high costs or usage restrictions from additional security measures. As an operator of supply networks and critical infrastructures (KRITIS), e-netz Südhessen AG must comply with legal requirements regarding information security and ensure adequate protection against threats to telecommunication and electronic data processing systems essential for secure network operations.

Goal
In close collaboration with the Federal Network Agency, the Chair of Public Law, Information Law, Environmental Law, and Administrative Sciences, Prof. Indra Spiecker, the Technical University of Darmstadt, Chair of Energy Information Networks and Systems, Prof. Florian Steinke, and consortium partners, a methodology for stress tests and stress test scenarios for hybrid infrastructures and market participants in the energy sector will be developed by 2026. Leveraging their energy sector expertise and BSI-certified APT responder status, QGroup supports the cybersecurity aspects.

• Development of a stress test concept for the power grid.
• Establishment of a robust methodology for conducting energy system stress tests, particularly for the scenario of "IT attack on distributed high-performance devices."
• Identification of potential security vulnerabilities and measures for securing them as recommendations for the Federal Network Agency.
• Strengthening supply security and societal protection.

Project partners and associated partners

Funding partners