Implementing a real-time cyber-physical system test bed in RTDS and OPNET

Numerous innovative smart grid technologies are deployed in modern power systems, making a power system a typical cyber-physical system (CPS). The increasing coupling between a physical power system and its communication network requires a smart grid simulator to run in a cyber-physical environment for cyber security research. In addition, smart grid technologies introduce numerous access points to the communication network, making cyber security a big concern in smart grid planning and operation. In this paper, a simple real time CPS test bed, implemented in RTDS and OPNET, is discussed. The setup of the test bed is introduced. Results of a case study simulated in the test bed to study the impact of cyber attacks on system transient stability are presented. The simple test bed was capable of accurately modelling a smart grid while providing user-friendly modeling experience.