Securing the Modern Power Grid Challenges in the 3D Energy Transition

The Distinguished Speaker Webinar Series aims to advance state-of-the-art concepts and methods in artificial intelligence and cyber security. It is jointly hosted by the Center for Cyber Security and AI Research and the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (SEECS) at the University of North Dakota College of Engineering & Mines.

Abstract:
To meet the demands of a modern society, the electric grid is rapidly integrating renewable energy and leveraging smart, connected technologies. This convergence creates a new class of stability and security challenges. We will investigate how the temporal variability of renewable sources interacts with the increasing coordination potential of ubiquitous, high-wattage IoT loads, elevating the grid’s overall vulnerability to emerging cyber-physical threats. The presentation will outline the critical challenges this evolution poses and detail our advanced methodologies for mitigating these risks, ensuring a secure and resilient future for power systems

Biography: 
Dr. Charalambos (Harrys) Konstantinou is an Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering with the Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia. He received the M.Eng. degree in ECE from the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), Greece, and the Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from New York University (NYU), NY, USA. Before joining KAUST, he was an Assistant Professor with the Center for Advanced Power Systems (CAPS), Florida State University (FSU). His research interests include critical infrastructures security and resilience with special focus on smart grid technologies, renewable energy integration, and real-time simulation. He is a Senior Member of IEEE and currently serves as Associate Editor of IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid and IEEE Transactions on Power Systems.