Securing ASEAN’s Energy Transition: Cybersecurity for ASEAN Distributed Energy Systems & Smart Grids
The global energy landscape is evolving in response to rising demand and the need for decarbonisation. This requires a transition towards a diverse mix of renewable energy sources to improve efficiency and sustainability. Regional initiatives, such as the ASEAN Zero Emission Community (AZEC), play a vital role in fostering cooperation and enhancing grid flexibility. Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) are key to achieving decarbonisation and strengthening energy security across ASEAN. Thailand is integrating DERs with technologies such as battery energy storage systems, the Internet of Things (IoT), and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems. However, increasing reliance on DERs and centralised control systems introduces cyber vulnerabilities. Consequently, robust cybersecurity, physical security, and cyber resilience measures are essential to mitigate risks and incidents. Emerging Energy Resource Aggregation Business (ERAB) models and increasingly interconnected supply chains further highlight the need to establish trust in cyber-physical systems. Efforts to address these challenges align with ASEAN–Japan collaboration on Next-Generation Electricity Systems, which focuses on business development and the sharing of solutions, including the secure deployment of DERs, to support the goals of the Asia Zero Emission Community.
Key Topics
● Energy Transition Trends: Insights into the growing adoption of distributed energy resources (DERs), progress in ERAB readiness, and the increasing need for investment in power grids driven by decarbonisation efforts and rapidly growing electricity demand.
● ERAB Development (Japan Case Study): The latest developments and initiatives related to Energy Resource Aggregation Business (ERAB) in Japan.
● Cybersecurity Development in ASEAN: Progress in cybersecurity discussions across ASEAN countries, including vulnerability assessments to strengthen the cybersecurity of distributed energy resources and the adoption of cyber-physical security platform concepts.
● Actions to Advance Power Grid Cybersecurity: Strategies to enhance power grid cybersecurity from both Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) perspectives. This session will introduce a proposed assessment framework applicable across ASEAN and share Japan's experience and best practices.