The Electric Grid Vulnerability Task Force (EGVTF) Interdepartmental Working Group (IWG) was established in October 2008 within the National Science and Technology Council by the Committee on Homeland and National Security (CHNS). Task force members included representatives of DOE, DHS, DOD, FERC, EPA, NASA, NRC, OSTP, EPA, and ODNI. Capt. Bryan J. Cooper, electrical instructor at The Civil Engineer School at AFIT, is the Executive Secretary and one of two sitting members representing the DOD on the EGVTF.

The CHNS chartered the EGVTF in response to the 2008 Defense Science Board report “More Fight – Less Fuel”. This report found that the extensive dependence of DOD and the nation on a fragile and highly vulnerable commercial electric power grid is a serious threat which is growing worse with time.

There are several reasons why the current US electric grid presents an increasing national security concern:

• The grid depends on critical hardware which is easily attacked and virtually undefended.
• Electrical generation, transmission, and distribution systems are typically controlled by Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems. Since many connections are tied to non-secure communication networks, SCADA systems are vulnerable to cyber attack, which could interfere with normal grid operations, or possibly disable or destroy critical grid components.
• The existing grid includes power transmission choke points which frequently operate near capacity limits. Natural disasters, accidents or deliberate attacks affecting these points can result in disproportionate impacts which can propagate uncontrollably to other sections of the grid.
• US electricity demand is projected to increase by about 50% through 2030. The existing grid is incapable of supporting this growth. Major additions of new generation and transmission capacity are needed.
• Simply adding more capacity will not produce the type of grid that will be needed in order to make effective use of variable renewable energy resources such as wind power and solar power. A “smart grid” that can incorporate demand response measures and manage energy storage systems will be necessary. This type of grid will be more complex and will include a dramatically increased number of two-way communications links. Each of these new communications channels represents potential cyber vulnerabilities, if not protected.

The EGVTF was chartered to examine priority research and development (R&D) needs associated with the mitigation of electric grid vulnerabilities and threats to the electric grid in a sector or region of the U.S., and to facilitate a strong, coordinated effort across the Federal agencies to address those needs.

The EGVTF worked to identify R&D “gaps” in grid resiliency and security work already being done at national laboratories, in universities and within industry. The task force received numerous briefings from experts in grid technology and operation, and visited a state-of-the art grid control center.

EGVTF members also planned and conducted a first of its type two day electric grid “wargame” in July 2009. This event was jointly sponsored by DHS, DOE and DOD and was hosted by National Defense University (NDU). The exercise simulated a coordinated physical and cyber attack on the grid at a national level by a terrorist group. The exercise participants included representatives from multiple government agencies as well as from electrical utility and transmission companies.

The EGVTF efforts culminate later this month after they publish their findings in a final report. However, the group is examining the possibilities of extending their charter, or establishing a standing interagency working group.