Botnets causing blackouts: how coordinated load attacks can destabilize the power grid

Power grids are a prime example of critical infrastructure, and their reliable operation is of utter importance for life and economy in most parts of the world. To stabilize the nominal frequency, power production and consumption have to be continuously kept in balance. As consumers are predominantly uncontrolled, operators have to adapt power plants’ output to the demanded power using elaborated models including parameters like weather, season, and time of the day. These models are based on the premise of a large number of small consumers averaging out their energy consumption spikes. The remaining gap is closed by power plants in stand-by.