Enabling Cyber-Resilient Distribution Systems With DERs: Distributed vs. Centralized Control

Effective control mechanisms enabled by digital automation are essential for ensuring resilience in power distribution systems and maintaining reliable power delivery to critical loads, particularly in the presence of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs). This paper provides a comprehensive evaluation of two major volt–VAR control mechanisms—Centralized Control and Distributed Control—by assessing their impact on system performance, data integrity, and cybersecurity in DER integrated power distribution networks. First, through methodologically consistent optimization formulation of both volt–VAR controllers development, we removed all sorts of performance advantages for any controller over other which may come from the difference between optimization formulation for controllers. To provide a practical and dynamic assessment, we utilize an enhanced modified Cyber-Physical System (CPS) testbed to model these control architectures, integrate two distinct voltage control applications, and simulate multiple cyber-attack scenarios with detection-mitigation simultaneously. Detailed analyses focusing on the strengths and limitations of each control architecture, system performance, implementation constraints, adaptability and responsiveness to cyber threats are done using modified IEEE 13 and IEEE-123 test feeders. The results indicate the critical trade-offs and capabilities of centralized and distributed control approaches, with superiority of distributed control for cyber resilient grid, offering valuable insights for designing resilient and secure distribution systems with DERs.