The Center for Secure Energy Informatics (ZSE) is dedicated to researching and shaping the digitalization of future energy systems. As the successor organization to the Josef Ressel Center for User-Oriented Smart Grid Privacy, Security and Control (2013-2017), the ZSE works with corporate and research partners to develop innovative solutions in the field of data analysis - including artificial intelligence (AI) - as well as the associated challenges in the area of data protection and cybersecurity.

Key research areas at the ZSE

Development of new architectures and methods for the digitalisation of the energy industry

Digitalisation in the field of energy supply focuses on the evaluation of data obtained from energy systems using information and communication technologies. Data analytics can be used to integrate renewable energy sources, intelligently control grids, make forecasts about the necessary grid expansion, predict maintenance cases before they actually occur and intelligently integrate new areas, such as electric mobility, into the system.

The ZSE enables the secure and comprehensive networking of data from all participants in smart energy grids. Based on secure architectures (‘security by design’), a secure, trustworthy and reliable ICT infrastructure is implemented using model-driven engineering methods. Functionality requirements are harmonised with IT security and data protection. Integration and analytical processing of data from all participants takes place securely and with privacy protection. Analytical methods allow data to be analysed and decision-relevant information to be derived.

Securing the IT and communication infrastructure against internal and external attacks, as well as promoting customer integration and acceptance

In the area of end users, data is collected via intelligent electricity meters (smart meters). In order to fulfil the legal and social requirements for data protection, technical methods for safeguarding data protection, ‘privacy enhancing technologies’ (PETs) are being researched. New cryptographic methods, secure data aggregation, new protocols and the use of different measurement resolutions in conjunction with cryptographic access control make it possible to harmonise functional requirements and data protection in the field of smart metering.

The development and use of suitable privacy-enhancing technologies ensure that the privacy of end users remains protected. IT security methods protect the system from external attacks and prevent unauthorised access from within. New technologies such as blockchains and homomorphic encryption are used. The results of data analytics are used to reliably optimise smart energy grids and securely network them with other areas (e.g. production, smart homes, smart cities).