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Distributed energy resource (DER) systems are rapidly being adopted and integrated within the electric power grid. Developments in smart grid devices and communication protocols are advancing the power system domain but are also introducing new cyber attack vectors. In particular, the ability to maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data is of increasing concern. Cryptography is a powerful tool that can be leveraged to protect DER systems and their critical information. This paper discusses prominent methods of cryptographic authentication and encryption that can be used to secure DER communications. Specific considerations and recommendations for applying cryptography to DER systems are provided, including system design constraints and system impact. These will be demonstrated with two case studies that assess cryptography hardware requirements and communications latency in DERs.

As the power grid incorporates increasing amounts of distributed energy resources (DER) that provide new generation sources, new opportunities are created for improving operation of the grid while large challenges also arise for preserving grid reliability and security. To improve grid performance, DERs can be utilized to provide important support functionality, such as supporting frequency and voltage levels, especially if they are assisted by communication schemes as part of an advanced distribution management system (ADMS). Unfortunately, such connectivity and grid support functionality also creates additional cyber security risk with the potential for degradation of grid services, especially under conditions with high amounts of distributed generation. This paper will first discuss the communications needed by DERs to support system and interoperability objectives, as well as the security requirements and impact of securing these communications. Some common security mechanisms are discussed in relation to DERs, and a simulated 15-bus model of a distribution feeder is used to demonstrate aspects of the DER communications and impact to grid performance. These results help to advance understanding of the benefits, requirements, and mechanisms for securely implementing DER communications while ensuring that grid reliability is maintained.

In respect to the extension of energy demand in the world and inadequate fossil fuel resources, there is a considerable obligation for using renewable energies (REs) which are easily accessible and environmentally beneficial. An alternative solution for the inconsistency of individual RE sources such as solar and wind is to progress the solar PV-wind hybrid system. These power sources combined with storage battery would give a better system reliability, making it suitable for off-grid applications. Based on National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy has issued by MNRE, Govt. of India, a pre-feasibility study has been undertaken by ANERT, Govt. of Kerala for the electrification of the hybrid energy system at Ponmudi, Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala, India. This paper presents the simulation of PV-wind hybrid off-grid system at a remote area of the site using HOMER Pro software. It seems that solar and wind have deemed the most suitable resource potential of Ponmudi site.

Electrical energy demand of domestic consumers depends on many factors like population, regional development, weather, electricity price, industrialization etc. For those regions having different climatic conditions in a year, it is found that the energy demand depends on prevailing weather. So a study on weather dependency of energy demand would help in accurate load forecasting and maintenance schedules. This paper aims at analyzing the trends in weather dependency in energy demand and monthly load forecasting. Linear and non linear regression models are developed. Multiple linear regression to check the dependency of energy demand on different climatic factors like temperature and relative humidity is developed. Non linear forecast model of Energy consumption as per the variation in the temperature is also developed. Energy consumption details of Attavara area, obtained from Attavar sub-station, is related with weather data obtained from Mangalore Bajpe weather station for the analysis of seasonal demand of energy demand.

This paper aims to present an efficient nonlinear current control scheme for a single-phase grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system in which the controller is designed using partial feedback linearization and a linear controller. The proposed controller solves the difficulty of tuning the gain in conventional linear controllers under changing atmospheric conditions. The performance of the controller is evaluated based on the tracking of grid current to the reference current by considering the changes in solar irradiation levels. The comparison between the current tracking of the partial feedback linearization with PI and PR controllers are also presented.