Panasonic HD and Itochu are demonstrating advanced cybersecurity monitoring for grid-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in Japan, crucial for energy infrastructure resilience.
Cybersecurity for BESS: Japan Pilot Project
Panasonic Holdings Corporation (Panasonic HD) and Panasonic Solution Technologies Co., Ltd. (PSTC), in collaboration with ITOCHU Corporation (ITOCHU), will conduct a cybersecurity monitoring demonstration at a grid-scale BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) facility in Japan, operating under conditions representative of actual power grid operation.
As part of this initiative, a cybersecurity monitoring solution will be implemented at the BESS facility to evaluate its effectiveness. Specifically, the test will verify whether continuous monitoring of system communications and behavior enables early anomaly detection and accurate situational awareness. Furthermore, the project will identify implementation and operational challenges related to adoption in commercial contexts, with the aim of providing useful insights for broader future deployment of BESS systems.
The risk of cyberattacks against critical infrastructure
In recent years, the adoption of renewables has accelerated as part of decarbonization efforts. To manage the inherent variability of wind and solar power generation, generation, transmission, distribution infrastructures, and consumption sites have become more sophisticated and interconnected. While these advancements have improved operational efficiency and flexibility, the increased connection points for distributed energy resources (DER) and control systems have expanded the attack surface, raising the risk of cyberattacks against critical infrastructure.
Cases of unauthorized access to photovoltaic plants, as well as incidents involving lateral movement attacks and operational disruptions, have been reported both in Japan and abroad. Consequently, the importance of cybersecurity measures is now widely recognized.
Conventional perimeter security measures, such as firewalls, are increasingly insufficient against threats like unauthorized access to internal networks or advanced attacks impersonating legitimate devices. Therefore, layered defense strategies – which include continuous monitoring of communications and control protocols – have become fundamental.
Grid-scale BESS systems possess broader control functions than solar farms, including charge/discharge management and output power regulation. A potential cyberattack could have impacts beyond the individual facility, destabilizing the balance between energy supply and demand and affecting distribution networks. For this reason, cybersecurity for BESS requires extremely high levels of reliability and effectiveness.
Overview of the demonstration test
The monitoring solution developed by Panasonic HD and PSTC combines signature-based detection (for known attacks) with specialized detection for energy control communications. To enable intensive evaluation within the experimentation period, proactive cyberattack simulations will be conducted:
- On-site test: By directly connecting to the facility’s internal network, simulated anomalies such as unauthorized device connections and manipulation of control parameters will be generated.
- Off-site test: Using specific facility information, simulated unauthorized external access and advanced attack techniques will be conducted.
Unlike conventional IT solutions, this technology integrates detection logics specifically designed for Energy Management Systems (EMS) protocols and commands. Since BESS facilities are directly connected to the grid and require rigorous stability and security management, validating cybersecurity for BESS in real-world environments represents a significant technical challenge. This initiative sets a new benchmark for the resilience of mission-critical energy infrastructures.
This is the world’s first demonstration of cybersecurity monitoring for grid-scale BESS conducted under real operational conditions. For security reasons, the location and detailed specifications of the facility have not been disclosed.
Cybersecurity for BESS: A strategic priority for Panasonic
Considering the convergence of energy and cybersecurity a strategic priority, Panasonic HD aims to protect next-generation energy infrastructures. With the evolution of storage systems and distributed resources, cyber resilience will become a fundamental requirement for operational stability. Panasonic will use the data obtained to develop integrated security solutions and strengthen partnerships within the energy ecosystem, contributing to the creation of secure, intelligent, and sustainable power grids.
