The Dutch power supply is becoming increasingly intertwined with digital technology. Advanced software and algorithms increasingly determine the supply, transmission and distribution of power. This development is occurring in an electricity system that is already undergoing significant change on other fronts (in particular, power generation and power use): as more use is made of renewable energy sources, as companies and citizens generate their own power more frequently and as power generation becomes more dependent on weather conditions.

In this advisory report, the Rli (Council for the Environment and Infrastructure) analyses the vulnerabilities created in the electricity system by the ongoing process of digitalisation. This involves more than just the threat of deliberate disruption of the power supply by cybercrime. It also involves, for instance, the potential consequences of software design errors and of unforeseen 'behaviour' of autonomous systems that increasingly regulate the power supply. The Rli's analysis of these and other vulnerabilities makes it clear that the digitisation of the electricity system poses new risks to the reliability for which our power supply is known.

There is increasing attention to cybersecurity on the part of the government - fortunately. But the Rli points out that there is still insufficient insight into other vulnerabilities that digitalisation brings with it, while their social impact can be considerable. The Rli also notes that the government's focus on digital vulnerabilities is mainly on the networks, which are in public hands.

However, the stability of the overall electricity system is particularly undermined from the parts that are not in public ownership.

In light of the above, the Rli makes four recommendations:

1. The government should recognise and investigate the potential impact of the digitisation of the electricity system on the reliability of the power supply.

2. In anticipation of this research, the government should take 'no-regret' measures that curb digital vulnerabilities. The Rli envisages incentives that encourage parties to take preventive measures and ensure that up-to-date insights on safe design and updating of digital systems are laid down in standards.

3. The government should structurally invest in an infrastructure for joint knowledge gathering (joint fact finding), in which not only public but also market parties share their knowledge about the vulnerabilities of digitisation. This pooling of expertise is necessary to deploy independent knowledge for a power supply in which public interests are structurally safeguarded.

4. The government should seek European cooperation to address the vulnerabilities of the digitised power supply, both in research, through product safety requirements and through European grid codes.

The growth of data centres is also squeezing the capacity of the Dutch power grid. At the Schiphol Rijk and Science Center Amsterdam areas, this is already almost the case. see the articles from FD.nl, downloadable under "Documents".

Description

The Dutch power supply is becoming increasingly interwoven with digital technology.

A digitalised power supply is emerging in which decisions on storage, supply and use are taken via pre-programmed or self-learning technology.

This development is occurring in an electricity system that is already undergoing significant change on other fronts: due to the increasing use of renewable energy sources, increasing self-generation of electricity by companies and citizens, and increasing dependence of power generation on weather conditions.

In doing so, the importance of a reliable power supply is increasing, as electricity is becoming a much larger part of our energy needs.

Disruption or failure of the power supply can lead to accidents with personal, material and/or financial damage. Prolonged outages can also lead to social unrest.

The central question in this advisory report is whether the government can continue to keep its promise to society to ensure a power supply that is not only clean and affordable but also safe and reliable as the digitisation of the electricity system enters a new phase in the coming years.

What risks do the changes entail for the reliability of our power supply? And are these risks adequately covered?
Three types of digital vulnerabilities

In this advisory report, the Rli analyses the vulnerabilities arising in the electricity system as a result of the ongoing process of digitalisation.

This involves more than just the threat of deliberate disruption of the power supply by cybercrime. It also involves, for example, the potential consequences of software design errors and of unforeseen 'behaviour' of autonomous systems that increasingly regulate the power supply.
The Rli's analysis of these and other vulnerabilities makes it clear that the digitisation of the electricity system poses new risks to the reliability for which our power supply is renowned.

There is increasing government attention to cybersecurity, which is important. But the Rli points out that there is still insufficient insight into other vulnerabilities that digitalisation brings with it, while their social impact can be great. The Rli also notes that the government's focus on digital vulnerabilities is mainly on the networks, which are in public hands. However, the stability of the overall electricity system is particularly undermined from the parts that are not in public ownership.

To further explore the advice, the Council for the Environment and Infrastructure (Rli) is organising a conference 'Power supply under digital tension' on 24 April from 17:30-20:30 following the advice of the same name.

Speaker(s)

In this advisory report, the Rli makes four recommendations:
Investigate the consequences of digitalisation for power reliability

Focus on the reliability of the power supply.
Take no-regret measures

For example, preventive measures and the recording of current insights in standards.
Create a knowledge infrastructure

Aimed at joint knowledge gathering (joint fact finding), in which public and private parties within the electricity sector share their knowledge.
Seek European cooperation

Both in research, via product safety requirements and via European grid codes.
Publication

On 15 March, the advisory report 'Power supply under digital voltage' was received by State Secretary Keijzer of Economic Affairs and Climate Change and also presented to Minister Wiebes of Economic Affairs and Climate Change, Minister Grapperhaus of Justice and Security, and the presidents of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The council cordially invites you to this conference on 24 April 2018.

It will be chaired by committee chair Annemieke Nijhof and will take place in the presence of DG Sandor Gaastra (Energy, Telecommunications and Competition).

Location

Studio Dudok, Hofweg 1-a in The Hague.

Organiser

Electrical Engineering

Rli

Name and contact details for information

Douwes Wielenga Project leader Rli

douwes.wielenga@rli.nl

Power supply under digital voltage

Registration form Conference 24 April 2018

Register via

uRL above Registration form Register quickly as the number of places is limited. Applications will be processed in order of receipt. You can also indicate, that you are not coming.

Documents