Modern ICT Network Simulator for Co-Simulations in Smart Grid Applications

The current transformation of power grids towards smart grids and the associated increase in the use of ICT technologies lead to an increased attack surface via the communication network. Holistic, multi-domain co-simulations can be used to evaluate the possibilities for, and impacts of, ICT-based attacks on these grids. This paper presents an ICT network simulator that can be used in co-simulation environments. It outlines requirements for this kind of simulation tool and provides insight into how these requirements can be met. In addition, co-simulation use cases for the simulator arising from different research projects are laid out. Finally, the simulator’s functionalities in co-simulation environments are verified with a practical application example. This application shows that our simulator (rettij) is able to exchange data with other simulators through a co-simulation interface. It also demonstrates our simulators capabilities to perform real-world ICT attacks on realistic network topologies.