A cyber-physical simulation framework for resilient microgrids with PV, BESS, and tariff-aware control

Partha Das, Rituparna Mitra

Abstract


The increasing integration of renewable energy and digital infrastructure into modern power distribution networks has led to both operational flexibility and heightened vulnerability to uncertainty and cyber threats. This paper presents a novel simulation framework for microgrid resilience assessment that incorporates photovoltaic (PV) variability, battery energy storage systems (BESS), time-of-day (TOD) tariff dynamics, and false data injection (FDI)-based cyberattacks. The proposed tool is developed using the IEEE 33-bus distribution system and leverages real-world load profiles from Mathura and Bareilly, along with Indian PV generation data, to simulate realistic operational conditions. A Monte Carlo-based extension allows for statistically robust evaluation of system performance over multi-day horizons under diverse uncertainty scenarios. The simulation outputs include power losses, voltage violations, line congestion levels, tariff-adjusted energy costs, and battery utilization metrics. Results from a 100-run, 3-day Monte Carlo experiment highlight the critical impact of cyber-physical uncertainties on microgrid efficiency and stability. The framework supports decision-makers and researchers in designing and evaluating resilient control strategies, tariff policies, and storage deployment plans, making it a valuable contribution to the domains of smart grids and cyber-resilient power systems.


Received: 14 October 2025

Accepted: 16 January 2026

Published: 29 March 2026


Full Text:

PDF

References


N. Hatziargyriou, Microgrids. Wiley, 2013. doi: 10.1002/9781118720677.

F. Blaabjerg, Y. Yang, D. Yang, and X. Wang, “Distributed Power-Generation Systems and Protection,” 2017. doi: 10.1109/JPROC.2017.2696878.

S. Sridhar, A. Hahn, and M. Govindarasu, “Cyber-physical system security for the electric power grid,” Proceedings of the IEEE, vol. 100, no. 1, 2012, doi: 10.1109/JPROC.2011.2165269.

Y. Mo et al., “Cyber-physical security of a smart grid infrastructure,” Proceedings of the IEEE, vol. 100, no. 1, 2012, doi: 10.1109/JPROC.2011.2161428.

A. Nourian and M. Kezunovic, “BESS control for renewable-rich microgrids,” IEEE Trans. Power Delivery, vol. 35, no. 1, pp. 440–450, 2020.

M. M. Hussain and et al, “Voltage stability challenges in PV-integrated distribution systems,” Energy Reports, vol. 8, pp. 597–610, 2022.

S. Z. Althaher, P. Mancarella, and J. Mutale, “Automated demand response under dynamic tariffs,” IEEE Trans. Smart Grid, pp. 176–185, 2017.

M. Ahmed and S. A. El-Gazar, “Pricing-driven energy management in microgrids,” Int. J. Electr. Power Energy Syst, 2022.

Y. Liu, P. Ning, and M. K. Reiter, “False data injection attacks against state estimation in electric power grids,” ACM Transactions on Information and System Security, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 1–33, May 2011, doi: 10.1145/1952982.1952995.

R. Liu, C. Liang, and Y. Mo, “FDI threats in state estimation,” IEEE Trans. Smart Grid, vol. 8, no. 5, pp. 2235–2243, 2017.

“HOMER Pro - Microgrid Optimization Software,” 2020. [Online]. Available: https://homerenergy.com/products/pro/index.html?

L. Thurner et al., “Pandapower—An Open-Source Python Tool for Convenient Modeling, Analysis, and Optimization of Electric Power Systems,” IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, vol. 33, no. 6, pp. 6510–6521, Nov. 2018, doi: 10.1109/TPWRS.2018.2829021.

H. A. Alyami and et al., “Cyber-secure digital twins for distribution networks,” Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev., vol. 152, p. 111672, 2021.

H. Kanchev, D. Lu, F. Colas, V. Lazarov, and B. Francois, “Energy Management and Operational Planning of a Microgrid With a PV-Based Active Generator for Smart Grid Applications,” IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, vol. 58, no. 10, pp. 4583–4592, Oct. 2011, doi: 10.1109/TIE.2011.2119451.

H. EPRI, “OpenDSS: Electric Power Research Institute Distribution System Simulator,” 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.epri.com/pages/sa/opendss

P. N. N. Laboratory, “GridLAB-D: Smart Grid Simulation Tool,” 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.pnnl.gov/available-technologies/gridlab-dtm

J. McDonald, “Smart grid issues and challenges,” IEEE Power & Energy Magazine, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 75–83, 2019.

M. Mahoor, R. Ebrahimpour, and A. Ranjbar, “Microgrid energy management using rule-based and optimization-based control,” IJEPES, vol. 105, pp. 265–273, 2021.

D. Zhang and et al, “Real-time decision making using deep reinforcement learning,” IEEE Trans. Smart Grid, vol. 12, no. 4, pp. 3218–3230, 2021.

G. Ghosh and et al., “Cybersecurity of DER-rich microgrids,” Electric Power Systems Research, vol. 189, 2020.

A. Khosravi and et al., “Uncertainty quantification in renewable forecasting,” Energy Reports, 2020.

J. Fossati and et al., “PV variability and stochastic modeling,” Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev, vol. 81, pp. 1548–1561, 2021.

A. Hamouz and M. Albu, “Monte Carlo simulation of distribution reliability indices,” EPSR, vol. 127, pp. 189–197, 2021.

X. Yin and et al., “Scenario-based microgrid planning under uncertainty,” Appl. Energy, vol. 303, p. 117575, 2021.

A. Teixeira, G. Dán, and H. Sandberg, “Cyber-resilient control of distributed energy resources in microgrids,” IEEE Trans. Smart Grid, vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 2145–2156, 2022.

S. Mishra, R. K. Chauhan, and S. N. Singh, “Detection and mitigation of false data injection attacks in DER-dominated microgrids,” Electric Power Systems Research, vol. 215, p. 108982, 2023.

M. Tucci, A. Vaccaro, and D. Villacci, “Digital twin-based cyber–physical modeling of microgrids for resilience assessment,” Appl. Energy, vol. 342, p. 121057, 2023.

H. Karimipour and et al., “Cyber–physical security of power systems: Digital twin–based approaches,” IEEE Syst. J., vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 120–131, 2023.

Y. Wang, Z. Wang, and J. Zhao, “Probabilistic resilience assessment of distribution systems with high DER penetration,” Electric Power Systems Research, vol. 206, p. 107815, 2022.

L. Chen and M. Shahidehpour, “Monte Carlo–based uncertainty analysis for microgrid operation under renewable variability,” IEEE Trans. Sustain. Energy, vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 1098–1109, 2023.

R. Khalid, N. Javaid, and M. Alhussein, “Stochastic energy management of microgrids under price and renewable uncertainty,” IEEE Trans. Sustain. Energy, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 455–466, 2023.

T. U. Solanke, V. K. Ramachandaramurthy, J. Y. Yong, J. Pasupuleti, P. Kasinathan, and A. Rajagopalan, “A review of strategic charging–discharging control of grid-connected electric vehicles,” J. Energy Storage, vol. 28, p. 101193, Apr. 2020, doi: 10.1016/j.est.2020.101193.

G. Ghosh, M. S. Alam, and S. Ghosh, “Cybersecurity of a DER-rich microgrid: A simulation-based vulnerability analysis of cyberattacks,” Electric Power Systems Research, vol. 189, p. 106711, 2022.

O. M. Abo Gabl, M. Y. Morgan, and M. S. El-Sobki (Jr.), “Decentralized economic operation of isolated AC, DC, and hybrid microgrids,” Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development, vol. 11, no. 2, p. 175, Aug. 2025, doi: 10.21622/resd.2025.11.2.1289.

S. Kumar, I. Ali, and A. S. Siddiqui, “Real time operation of microgrid with variation of distribution generation source to IEEE 13 bus system,” Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development, vol. 11, no. 2, p. 424, Nov. 2025, doi: 10.21622/resd.2025.11.2.1572.

R. S. Hiware and P. M. Daigavane, “Super capacitor-enhanced neural control (SENCO) for power quality optimization in wind turbine-integrated microgrids,” Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development, vol. 11, no. 2, p. 273, Aug. 2025, doi: 10.21622/resd.2025.11.2.1279.

R. R. Elbanna, M. H. ElMessmary, H. Diab, and M. Abdelsalam, “A smart hybrid optimization model for DSSE in renewable energy-powered distribution networks,” Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development, vol. 11, no. 2, p. 314, Sep. 2025, doi: 10.21622/resd.2025.11.2.1271.

P. S. Kumar, C. Chandrika, P. K. Rao, P. K. Rao, and S. K. Oruganti, “Interpretable hybrid machine learning models for renewable-powered smart grid stability prediction,” Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development, vol. 11, no. 2, p. 397, Oct. 2025, doi: 10.21622/resd.2025.11.2.1509.

R. T. Moyo, M. Dewa, H. F. M. Romero, V. A. Gómez, J. I. M. Aragonés, and L. Hernández-Callejo, “An adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference scheme for defect detection and classification of solar PV cells,” Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development, vol. 10, no. 2, p. 218, Sep. 2024, doi: 10.21622/resd.2024.10.2.929.

S. Bouafia and M. Si Abdallah, “Numerical study of a solar PV/thermal collector under several conditions in Algeria,” Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development, vol. 10, no. 2, p. 233, Sep. 2024, doi: 10.21622/resd.2024.10.2.900.

C. B. Agaton and C. S. Guno, “Renewable energy in sustainable agricultural production: real options approach to solar irrigation investment under uncertainty,” Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development, vol. 10, no. 1, p. 77, May 2024, doi: 10.21622/resd.2024.10.1.829.




DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21622/resd.2026.12.1.1730

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2026 Partha Das, Rituparna Mitra


Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development

E-ISSN: 2356-8569

P-ISSN: 2356-8518

 

Published by:

Academy Publishing Center (APC)

Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT)

Alexandria, Egypt

resd@aast.edu