POWER-GRID PROTECTIONFighting AI with AI to keep the lights on
A process key to protecting our nation’s electrical grid is getting smarter and faster. have been working on a system that uses generative AI and large language models to both detect and locate cyber-physical threats to the electrical grid.
A process key to protecting our nation’s electrical grid is getting smarter and faster thanks to a team led by Sandia artificial intelligence researcher Georgios Fragkos.
Georgios, Sidney Wright and Birk Jones with the Communications and Cybersecurity for the Energy Edge team, known as C2E2, have been working on a system that uses generative AI and large language models to both detect and locate cyber-physical threats to the electrical grid.
“An adversary’s attack on the power grid, resulting in its shutdown, would have profound and far-reaching consequences,” said Alex Haddad, manager of Sandia’s Grid Security and Communication department. “Electricity is the foundation of modern life — it powers everything from delivering water to our homes, operating our communication networks and gas station pumps. Without electricity, gas stations cannot supply fuel, halting transportation and disrupting the delivery of essential goods like food, which also cannot be properly refrigerated. Critical services such as hospitals, police and fire departments would be severely impacted, triggering cascading failures across society. The Department of Homeland Security identifies 16 critical infrastructure sectors, none of which could function without reliable electrical power. The presence of adversaries within these systems, manipulating or disrupting operations, poses an immense risk to national security and could lead to widespread chaos.”
And C2E2 is just the tip of the iceberg in this space.
“This project is one part of our Electric Grid Security portfolio, in which we’re harnessing Sandia’s deep capabilities in threat detection, risk assessment and the development of new AI tools to ensure our grid is resilient to all forms of malicious and natural threats. This unique combination of capabilities helps us serve the U.S. Departments of Energy, Homeland Security and War in protecting and preserving our military and civilian infrastructures,” Sandia senior manager Charles Hanley said.
Location, Location, Location
Sandia’s work in grid security dates back decades but what it takes to keep the grid safe is quickly changing and AI is helping the Labs, as Alex puts it, “get as far left of zero as we can.”
Georgios has been a leader in this space.
“He’s the AI expert,” Birk said.
Georgios previously helped with the development of an AI algorithm — inspired by how the human brain works — to identify problems on the electrical grid caused by physical damage, such as a generator outage; cyberattacks, such as a hacking attempt; or even both happening simultaneously.
