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= Inverter Security Assessments & Lessons Learned =
= Supply Chain Security, Resilience & Industry Trends =


[[File:Inverter Assessment Architecture.png|thumb|right|900px|Representative inverter communications and connectivity assessment<ref>[https://msites.epri.com/spn/research/112046/security-design-architecture-review%3A-solar-inverters EPRI Security Design Architecture Review: Solar Inverters (3002029720)]</ref>]]
[[File:Supply Chain Model.png|thumb|right|900px|EPRI Supply Chain Model<ref>[https://www.epri.com/research/programs/112046/results/3002012753 EPRI Supply Chain Assessment Research Program]</ref>]]


== Executive Summary ==
== Executive Summary ==


Recent assessment activities identified recurring cybersecurity and operational risks associated with inverter deployments, including undocumented communications capabilities, insecure default configurations, hidden connectivity, and limited asset visibility.<ref>[https://msites.epri.com/spn/research/112046/security-design-architecture-review%3A-solar-inverters EPRI Security Design Architecture Review: Solar Inverters (3002029720)]</ref>
Supply chains have become a strategic focus area for utilities and critical infrastructure operators. Globally sourced hardware, software, and connected technologies introduce cybersecurity, operational, and geopolitical risks that can impact reliability, resilience, and business operations.


As Inverter-Based Resources (IBRs) and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) continue to expand across the electric grid, understanding device communications, vendor access pathways, and security configurations has become increasingly important for both cybersecurity and reliability programs.<ref>[https://top.epri.com/research-area/inverter-based-resources-and-grid-interconnection EPRI Inverter-Based Resources and Grid Interconnection Research Area]</ref>
At the same time, utilities are investing in advanced visibility and decision-support capabilities including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Supply Chain Control Towers, Digital Twins, and supplier-risk monitoring. These capabilities help organizations improve situational awareness, identify disruptions earlier, and strengthen long-term resilience.
 
Industry assessments have demonstrated that deployed systems may not always align with documented architectures or operational assumptions, highlighting the importance of validating technology deployments throughout the asset lifecycle.<ref>[https://www.epri.com/research/programs/112046/results/3002012753 EPRI Supply Chain Assessment Research Program]</ref>


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Why It Matters
|-
|-
! Area
! Area
! Potential Impact
! Potential Impact
|-
|-
| Visibility
| Reliability
| Undocumented communications capabilities may reduce awareness of how assets communicate and operate.
| Equipment shortages, supplier outages, and logistics disruptions can affect maintenance schedules, project timelines, and grid modernization efforts.
|-
|-
| Cybersecurity
| Cybersecurity
| Default credentials, exposed services, and unmanaged access pathways increase cyber risk.
| Third-party technologies may introduce new attack surfaces, software vulnerabilities, and unauthorized access pathways.
|-
|-
| Reliability
| Operations
| Unverified configurations and unexpected connectivity may introduce operational uncertainty.
| Limited visibility into suppliers and dependencies can delay the identification and resolution of operational disruptions.
|-
|-
| Supply Chain Assurance
| Resilience
| Hidden components and communications pathways can complicate supplier validation and asset trust decisions.
| Organizations require the ability to anticipate, withstand, and recover from changing operational, geopolitical, and market conditions.
|}
 
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Key Assessment Theme
|-
|
Assessment activities consistently demonstrate that organizations should validate hardware, communications pathways, software services, and security configurations through independent testing rather than relying exclusively on vendor documentation or deployment assumptions.<ref>[https://msites.epri.com/spn/research/112046/security-design-architecture-review%3A-solar-inverters EPRI Security Design Architecture Review: Solar Inverters (3002029720)]</ref>
|}
|}


----
----


== Assessment Overview ==
== Key Supply Chain Risks ==


Assessment activities focused on understanding communications pathways, device configurations, software services, hardware components, and external connectivity associated with inverter deployments.<ref>[https://msites.epri.com/spn/research/112046/security-design-architecture-review%3A-solar-inverters EPRI Security Design Architecture Review: Solar Inverters (3002029720)]</ref>
=== Technology & Asset Assurance ===


The objective was not only to identify vulnerabilities, but also to validate assumptions regarding connectivity, architecture, vendor access, and operational behavior.<ref>[https://www.epri.com/research/products/000000003002012752 EPRI Technical Assessment Methodology (3002012752)]</ref>
Recent industry assessments have highlighted the importance of understanding communications protocols, data flows, vendor connectivity, and remote access capabilities associated with modern energy technologies.<ref>[https://msites.epri.com/spn/research/112046/security-design-architecture-review%3A-solar-inverters EPRI Security Design Architecture Review: Solar Inverters (3002029720)]</ref>


Findings repeatedly demonstrated the importance of independent validation throughout procurement, commissioning, and operational lifecycle activities.
Examples include:


----
* Cellular communications modules
* Wi-Fi connectivity
* Bluetooth interfaces
* Vendor remote-access capabilities
* Undocumented communications pathways


== Key Findings ==
'''Why It Matters'''


=== Undocumented Communications Capabilities ===
For utilities, uncertainty surrounding deployed technologies can complicate asset management, cybersecurity monitoring, incident response, and overall operational awareness. The challenge is often less about a specific technology and more about understanding exactly what has been deployed and how it communicates.


Recent EPRI assessments have highlighted the importance of understanding communications protocols, data flows, and connectivity that may not be fully understood or documented by system owners and operators.<ref>[https://msites.epri.com/spn/research/112046/security-design-architecture-review%3A-solar-inverters EPRI Security Design Architecture Review: Solar Inverters (3002029720)]</ref>
=== Software Supply Chain Risk ===


Examples observed during assessment activities included:
Modern utility operations depend on software vendors, cloud providers, embedded firmware, open-source components, and third-party integrators.


* Undocumented 868 MHz communications
A compromise of a trusted software supplier can potentially affect multiple organizations simultaneously. As software ecosystems grow increasingly complex, visibility into software dependencies becomes more important.
* Undocumented 900 MHz communications
* Wireless interfaces not reflected within deployment documentation
* Unexpected communications pathways
* Communications behavior not represented in architecture diagrams


'''Why It Matters'''
EPRI's Technical Assessment Methodology (TAM) emphasizes evaluating attack surfaces, identifying security gaps, and validating security controls throughout technology deployments. <ref>[https://www.epri.com/research/programs/112046/results/3002021184 EPRI Technical Assessment Methodology (3002021184)]</ref> <ref>[https://www.epri.com/research/programs/112046/results/3002017149 EPRI Technical Assessment Methodology (3002017149)]</ref>


Utilities frequently develop network architectures, monitoring strategies, and incident response plans based on expected communications behavior. Undocumented communications can create blind spots that reduce visibility and complicate operational awareness.
=== Geopolitical & Supplier Risk ===


----
Global supply chains remain vulnerable to geopolitical developments, manufacturing concentration, transportation constraints, and evolving trade regulations.


=== Hidden Cellular Connectivity ===
Examples include:


Assessment activities identified embedded cellular communications capabilities within inverter systems.
* Trade restrictions and tariffs
* Export controls
* Semiconductor shortages
* Critical mineral dependencies
* Transportation disruptions


Examples included:
These events can affect equipment availability, increase lead times, and delay infrastructure investments across the utility sector.
 
* Quectel BG95-M1 LTE modems
* SIM card-enabled communications modules
* ESP32 microcontrollers supporting communications functions
* Devices attempting cellular communications
 
The presence of embedded communications modules demonstrates the importance of validating hardware configurations and independently assessing communications capabilities rather than relying solely on deployment documentation.<ref>[https://www.epri.com/research/programs/112046/results/3002012753 EPRI Supply Chain Assessment Research Program]</ref>


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Assessment Questions
|+ Common Supply Chain Risk Drivers
|-
|-
! Question
! Risk Area
! Objective
! Examples
|-
|-
| Does the device contain cellular hardware?
| Cybersecurity
| Validate communications capabilities.
| Third-party compromise, ransomware, software supply chain attacks
|-
|-
| Is a SIM card installed?
| Technology
| Determine whether external connectivity is enabled.
| Undocumented communications, firmware integrity concerns, unsupported products
|-
|-
| Can cellular functionality be disabled?
| Geopolitical
| Reduce unnecessary attack surface.
| Export controls, tariffs, regional instability
|-
|-
| Is connectivity documented by the vendor?
| Logistics
| Verify deployment assumptions.
| Shipping delays, port disruptions, inventory shortages
|}
|}


'''Why It Matters'''
----
 
== Supply Chain Cybersecurity ==
 
As utilities continue their digital transformation efforts, cybersecurity considerations increasingly extend beyond organizational boundaries and into supplier ecosystems.
 
Industry supply chain security programs focus on understanding software integrity, vendor access, communications pathways, and architectural risks before technologies are deployed.<ref>[https://msites.epri.com/spn/research/112046/security-design-architecture-review%3A-solar-inverters EPRI Security Design Architecture Review: Solar Inverters (3002029720)]</ref>
 
EPRI's Defensible Network Architectures guidance provides criteria for securely deploying operational technologies and reducing exposure to unauthorized access pathways.<ref>[https://www.epri.com/research/products/000000003002027430 EPRI Defensible Network Architectures: Criteria for Secure OT Deployment in Power Systems (3002027430)]</ref>
 
'''Leading Practices'''


Cellular connectivity may introduce communications pathways that bypass traditional network monitoring, segmentation, and access control mechanisms. Organizations should understand where cellular communications exist, who manages connectivity, and whether functionality is required for operational purposes.
* Supplier cybersecurity assessments
* Software Bills of Materials (SBOMs)
* Hardware Bills of Materials (HBOMs)
* Vendor access reviews
* Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
* Network segmentation
* Continuous supplier monitoring


----
----


=== Configuration Weaknesses ===
== Artificial Intelligence in Supply Chains ==
 
[[File:Audit AI Agent.jpg|thumb|right|450px|AI-Enabled Supply Chain Analytics]]
 
Artificial Intelligence is helping organizations move beyond reactive supply chain management by improving forecasting, disruption analysis, inventory planning, and supplier-risk identification.


Configuration reviews identified several conditions commonly associated with increased cyber risk and expanded attack surfaces.<ref>[https://www.epri.com/research/products/000000003002012752 EPRI Technical Assessment Methodology (3002012752)]</ref>
Current applications include:


Examples included:
* Demand forecasting
* Inventory optimization
* Supplier risk monitoring
* Predictive maintenance
* Transportation optimization
* Procurement analytics


* Default passwords remaining enabled
As supply chains become increasingly complex, digital tools are being adopted to improve operational awareness and support planning activities across utility operations.<ref>[https://top.epri.com/research-area/inverter-based-resources-and-grid-interconnection EPRI Inverter-Based Resources and Grid Interconnection Research Area]</ref>
* SSH services enabled
* Open MongoDB services
* Open NTP services
* External DNS configurations
* Unnecessary management interfaces


'''Why It Matters'''
=== Emerging Trend: Agentic AI ===


Many of these findings can be addressed through secure deployment standards, commissioning procedures, and security validation activities. However, they continue to be observed across both new and existing deployments.
Industry leaders are evaluating AI systems capable of performing approved actions on behalf of supply chain personnel. Potential applications include supplier evaluation, inventory balancing, logistics optimization, and disruption-response activities.


Organizations should assume default configurations require review and hardening rather than assuming systems are delivered securely configured.
While still emerging, Agentic AI is expected to become a major area of investment over the next several years.


----
----


== Lessons Learned ==
== Supply Chain Visibility & Control Towers ==


=== Trust Must Be Verified ===
[[File:Supply Chain Control Tower.png|thumb|right|650px|Supply Chain Control Tower]]


Manufacturer documentation, deployment assumptions, and expected architectures should be independently validated through technical assessment activities.
A Supply Chain Control Tower provides a centralized view of suppliers, inventory, logistics networks, external risks, and operational dependencies.


EPRI assessment methodologies emphasize understanding architecture, communications pathways, and attack surfaces as part of secure deployment reviews.<ref>[https://www.epri.com/research/products/000000003002012752 EPRI Technical Assessment Methodology (3002012752)]</ref>
Rather than relying on disconnected data sources, organizations can monitor critical supply chain activities from a single operational picture and identify disruptions earlier.


The existence of undocumented hardware, communications capabilities, and software services demonstrates the importance of verification-based security programs.
The same industry drivers accelerating adoption of digital twins, advanced analytics, and operational visibility platforms are also increasing demand for comprehensive supplier awareness and dependency mapping.<ref>[https://www.epri.com/research/programs/112046/results/3002012753 EPRI Supply Chain Assessment Research Program]</ref>


=== Visibility Is Foundational ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Capability
! Business Value
|-
| Real-Time Visibility
| Improves awareness of inventory, suppliers, shipments, and operational dependencies.
|-
| Risk Monitoring
| Identifies supply chain disruptions, supplier issues, and emerging risks earlier.
|-
| Decision Support
| Enables faster and more informed operational and procurement decisions.
|-
| Executive Reporting
| Provides leadership with a consolidated view of supply chain performance and risks.
|}


Organizations cannot effectively secure technologies they cannot fully inventory or observe.


Maintaining visibility into assets, protocols, communications paths, firmware versions, and external connectivity should be considered a foundational cybersecurity capability.<ref>[https://www.epri.com/research/products/000000003002027430 EPRI Defensible Network Architectures: Criteria for Secure OT Deployment in Power Systems (3002027430)]</ref>
----
 
== Digital Twins & Scenario Planning ==


=== Secure Configuration Matters ===


Default credentials, exposed management services, and unnecessary communications pathways continue to represent common sources of cyber risk.
Digital Twins create virtual representations of suppliers, transportation networks, inventory, and operational dependencies.


Security controls should be reviewed and validated during deployment rather than deferred until systems are operational.
These environments allow organizations to evaluate potential disruptions before they occur and better understand downstream operational impacts.


=== Lifecycle Risk Extends Beyond Deployment ===
As utilities adapt to increasing levels of inverter-based resources, distributed energy resources, and interconnected technologies, advanced modeling and simulation capabilities are becoming essential tools for planning, resilience analysis, and operational decision-making.<ref>[https://top.epri.com/research-area/inverter-based-resources-and-grid-interconnection EPRI Inverter-Based Resources and Grid Interconnection Research Area]</ref>


Supply chain risk does not end after procurement.
Common scenarios include:


Organizations should continuously evaluate firmware, software, communications pathways, and vendor access throughout the lifecycle of deployed technologies.<ref>[https://www.epri.com/research/programs/112046/results/3002012753 EPRI Supply Chain Assessment Research Program]</ref>
* Supplier failures
* Transportation disruptions
* Severe weather events
* Equipment shortages
* Grid modernization delays


----
----


== Recommended Practices ==
== Recommendations ==
 
Industry guidance increasingly emphasizes secure-by-design deployment approaches, architecture validation, communications awareness, and continuous monitoring throughout the asset lifecycle.<ref>[https://www.epri.com/research/products/000000003002027430 EPRI Defensible Network Architectures: Criteria for Secure OT Deployment in Power Systems (3002027430)]</ref>


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Recommended Actions
|-
|-
! Focus Area
! Area
! Recommended Practices
! Recommended Actions
|-
|-
| Asset Validation
| Procurement
| Conduct physical inspections and validate deployed hardware inventories.
| Require SBOMs and HBOMs, assess supplier security practices, review remote-access capabilities, and validate vendor security programs.
|-
|-
| Wireless Assessment
| Visibility
| Perform spectrum analysis and identify undocumented wireless communications.
| Maintain supplier inventories, map critical dependencies, improve traceability, and understand technology communications pathways.
|-
| Secure Configuration
| Remove default credentials, disable unnecessary services, and implement secure baselines.
|-
| Architecture Review
| Validate communications pathways and review remote-access capabilities.
|-
|-
| Monitoring
| Monitoring
| Deploy network monitoring, OT visibility platforms, IDS capabilities, and continuous asset discovery.
| Continuously assess supplier risks, geopolitical developments, software vulnerabilities, and emerging threats.
|-
|-
| Security Testing
| Security
| Conduct periodic penetration testing, red-team exercises, and architecture assessments.
| Eliminate default credentials, implement MFA, restrict remote access, validate firmware integrity, and segment networks.
|}
|}


----
----


== Questions for Utilities ==
== Emerging Trends ==
 
Utilities continue to monitor several technologies and practices that may significantly influence future supply chain operations, resilience, and risk management.
 
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Industry Watchlist
|-
! High Priority
! Emerging Areas
|-
|
* Agentic AI
* Supply Chain Control Towers
* Digital Twins
* Software Supply Chain Security
* Third-Party Risk Monitoring
|
* Autonomous Logistics
* Robotics
* IoT Asset Tracking
* Digital Product Passports (DPPs)
|}


Organizations evaluating inverter deployments should consider the following:
'''Digital Product Passports (DPPs)'''


* Do deployed assets match vendor documentation?
Digital Product Passports are emerging as a mechanism for improving product traceability and lifecycle transparency. Driven largely by international regulatory initiatives, DPPs may influence future procurement, supplier reporting, asset lifecycle management, and supply chain visibility programs.
* Are all communications pathways understood and documented?
* Can wireless and cellular capabilities be independently validated?
* Are vendor remote-access capabilities required and controlled?
* Are secure configuration standards consistently applied?
* Are firmware versions regularly reviewed and updated?
* Can unexpected communications behavior be detected and investigated?


----
----
Line 209: Line 242:
== EPRI Resources ==
== EPRI Resources ==


* [https://www.epri.com/research/programs/112046/results/3002012753 EPRI Supply Chain Assessment Research Program]
* [https://msites.epri.com/spn/research/112046/security-design-architecture-review%3A-solar-inverters EPRI Security Design Architecture Review: Solar Inverters (3002029720)]
* [https://msites.epri.com/spn/research/112046/security-design-architecture-review%3A-solar-inverters EPRI Security Design Architecture Review: Solar Inverters (3002029720)]
* [https://www.epri.com/research/programs/112046/results/3002012753 EPRI Supply Chain Assessment Research Program]
* [https://www.epri.com/research/products/000000003002012752 EPRI Technical Assessment Methodology (3002012752)]
* [https://www.epri.com/research/products/000000003002012752 EPRI Technical Assessment Methodology (3002012752)]
* [https://www.epri.com/research/products/000000003002027430 EPRI Defensible Network Architectures: Criteria for Secure OT Deployment in Power Systems (3002027430)]
* [https://www.epri.com/research/products/000000003002027430 EPRI Defensible Network Architectures: Criteria for Secure OT Deployment in Power Systems (3002027430)]
Line 219: Line 252:
* Inverter-Based Resources (IBRs)
* Inverter-Based Resources (IBRs)
* Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
* Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
* Supply Chain Security
* Supply Chain Cybersecurity
* OT Asset Visibility
* Operational Technology (OT) Security
* Operational Technology (OT) Security
* Secure Architecture Reviews
* Digital Twins
* Artificial Intelligence
* Supplier Risk Management
* Grid Modernization
* Grid Modernization
* Network Monitoring & Detection
* Supply Chain Risk Management
* Cyber-Informed Engineering

Latest revision as of 20:04, 5 November 2026

Supply Chain Security, Resilience & Industry Trends

EPRI Supply Chain Model[1]

Executive Summary

Supply chains have become a strategic focus area for utilities and critical infrastructure operators. Globally sourced hardware, software, and connected technologies introduce cybersecurity, operational, and geopolitical risks that can impact reliability, resilience, and business operations.

At the same time, utilities are investing in advanced visibility and decision-support capabilities including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Supply Chain Control Towers, Digital Twins, and supplier-risk monitoring. These capabilities help organizations improve situational awareness, identify disruptions earlier, and strengthen long-term resilience.

Area Potential Impact
Reliability Equipment shortages, supplier outages, and logistics disruptions can affect maintenance schedules, project timelines, and grid modernization efforts.
Cybersecurity Third-party technologies may introduce new attack surfaces, software vulnerabilities, and unauthorized access pathways.
Operations Limited visibility into suppliers and dependencies can delay the identification and resolution of operational disruptions.
Resilience Organizations require the ability to anticipate, withstand, and recover from changing operational, geopolitical, and market conditions.

Key Supply Chain Risks

Technology & Asset Assurance

Recent industry assessments have highlighted the importance of understanding communications protocols, data flows, vendor connectivity, and remote access capabilities associated with modern energy technologies.[2]

Examples include:

  • Cellular communications modules
  • Wi-Fi connectivity
  • Bluetooth interfaces
  • Vendor remote-access capabilities
  • Undocumented communications pathways

Why It Matters

For utilities, uncertainty surrounding deployed technologies can complicate asset management, cybersecurity monitoring, incident response, and overall operational awareness. The challenge is often less about a specific technology and more about understanding exactly what has been deployed and how it communicates.

Software Supply Chain Risk

Modern utility operations depend on software vendors, cloud providers, embedded firmware, open-source components, and third-party integrators.

A compromise of a trusted software supplier can potentially affect multiple organizations simultaneously. As software ecosystems grow increasingly complex, visibility into software dependencies becomes more important.

EPRI's Technical Assessment Methodology (TAM) emphasizes evaluating attack surfaces, identifying security gaps, and validating security controls throughout technology deployments. [3] [4]

Geopolitical & Supplier Risk

Global supply chains remain vulnerable to geopolitical developments, manufacturing concentration, transportation constraints, and evolving trade regulations.

Examples include:

  • Trade restrictions and tariffs
  • Export controls
  • Semiconductor shortages
  • Critical mineral dependencies
  • Transportation disruptions

These events can affect equipment availability, increase lead times, and delay infrastructure investments across the utility sector.

Common Supply Chain Risk Drivers
Risk Area Examples
Cybersecurity Third-party compromise, ransomware, software supply chain attacks
Technology Undocumented communications, firmware integrity concerns, unsupported products
Geopolitical Export controls, tariffs, regional instability
Logistics Shipping delays, port disruptions, inventory shortages

Supply Chain Cybersecurity

As utilities continue their digital transformation efforts, cybersecurity considerations increasingly extend beyond organizational boundaries and into supplier ecosystems.

Industry supply chain security programs focus on understanding software integrity, vendor access, communications pathways, and architectural risks before technologies are deployed.[5]

EPRI's Defensible Network Architectures guidance provides criteria for securely deploying operational technologies and reducing exposure to unauthorized access pathways.[6]

Leading Practices

  • Supplier cybersecurity assessments
  • Software Bills of Materials (SBOMs)
  • Hardware Bills of Materials (HBOMs)
  • Vendor access reviews
  • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
  • Network segmentation
  • Continuous supplier monitoring

Artificial Intelligence in Supply Chains

AI-Enabled Supply Chain Analytics

Artificial Intelligence is helping organizations move beyond reactive supply chain management by improving forecasting, disruption analysis, inventory planning, and supplier-risk identification.

Current applications include:

  • Demand forecasting
  • Inventory optimization
  • Supplier risk monitoring
  • Predictive maintenance
  • Transportation optimization
  • Procurement analytics

As supply chains become increasingly complex, digital tools are being adopted to improve operational awareness and support planning activities across utility operations.[7]

Emerging Trend: Agentic AI

Industry leaders are evaluating AI systems capable of performing approved actions on behalf of supply chain personnel. Potential applications include supplier evaluation, inventory balancing, logistics optimization, and disruption-response activities.

While still emerging, Agentic AI is expected to become a major area of investment over the next several years.

Supply Chain Visibility & Control Towers

Supply Chain Control Tower

A Supply Chain Control Tower provides a centralized view of suppliers, inventory, logistics networks, external risks, and operational dependencies.

Rather than relying on disconnected data sources, organizations can monitor critical supply chain activities from a single operational picture and identify disruptions earlier.

The same industry drivers accelerating adoption of digital twins, advanced analytics, and operational visibility platforms are also increasing demand for comprehensive supplier awareness and dependency mapping.[8]

Capability Business Value
Real-Time Visibility Improves awareness of inventory, suppliers, shipments, and operational dependencies.
Risk Monitoring Identifies supply chain disruptions, supplier issues, and emerging risks earlier.
Decision Support Enables faster and more informed operational and procurement decisions.
Executive Reporting Provides leadership with a consolidated view of supply chain performance and risks.


Digital Twins & Scenario Planning

Digital Twins create virtual representations of suppliers, transportation networks, inventory, and operational dependencies.

These environments allow organizations to evaluate potential disruptions before they occur and better understand downstream operational impacts.

As utilities adapt to increasing levels of inverter-based resources, distributed energy resources, and interconnected technologies, advanced modeling and simulation capabilities are becoming essential tools for planning, resilience analysis, and operational decision-making.[9]

Common scenarios include:

  • Supplier failures
  • Transportation disruptions
  • Severe weather events
  • Equipment shortages
  • Grid modernization delays

Recommendations

Area Recommended Actions
Procurement Require SBOMs and HBOMs, assess supplier security practices, review remote-access capabilities, and validate vendor security programs.
Visibility Maintain supplier inventories, map critical dependencies, improve traceability, and understand technology communications pathways.
Monitoring Continuously assess supplier risks, geopolitical developments, software vulnerabilities, and emerging threats.
Security Eliminate default credentials, implement MFA, restrict remote access, validate firmware integrity, and segment networks.

Emerging Trends

Utilities continue to monitor several technologies and practices that may significantly influence future supply chain operations, resilience, and risk management.

Industry Watchlist
High Priority Emerging Areas
  • Agentic AI
  • Supply Chain Control Towers
  • Digital Twins
  • Software Supply Chain Security
  • Third-Party Risk Monitoring
  • Autonomous Logistics
  • Robotics
  • IoT Asset Tracking
  • Digital Product Passports (DPPs)

Digital Product Passports (DPPs)

Digital Product Passports are emerging as a mechanism for improving product traceability and lifecycle transparency. Driven largely by international regulatory initiatives, DPPs may influence future procurement, supplier reporting, asset lifecycle management, and supply chain visibility programs.

References

  1. ↑ EPRI Supply Chain Assessment Research Program
  2. ↑ EPRI Security Design Architecture Review: Solar Inverters (3002029720)
  3. ↑ EPRI Technical Assessment Methodology (3002021184)
  4. ↑ EPRI Technical Assessment Methodology (3002017149)
  5. ↑ EPRI Security Design Architecture Review: Solar Inverters (3002029720)
  6. ↑ EPRI Defensible Network Architectures: Criteria for Secure OT Deployment in Power Systems (3002027430)
  7. ↑ EPRI Inverter-Based Resources and Grid Interconnection Research Area
  8. ↑ EPRI Supply Chain Assessment Research Program
  9. ↑ EPRI Inverter-Based Resources and Grid Interconnection Research Area

EPRI Resources

Related Topics

  • Inverter-Based Resources (IBRs)
  • Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
  • Supply Chain Cybersecurity
  • Operational Technology (OT) Security
  • Digital Twins
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Supplier Risk Management
  • Grid Modernization
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