EnerNex Corporation helped TVA with the development of the PowerWAN, a new wide area network empowering real-time access to operational and non-operational data. The scope of work falls into four broad areas: Solution Development; Training & Outreach; Security Policy; and Testing. The EnerNex team, led by Darren Highfill, performed on-site stakeholder engagement interviews to help TVA identify anticipated use cases and discover unforeseen applications and then established an overall framework for the PowerWAN Security Policy. We worked closely with TVA all the way down to the application-level details needed for real-world implementation. Specific sections addressed have been General Policies, Platform Security and Network Security.

In parallel, we are helping TVA put together a next-generation substation in Bradley County, Tennessee, using IEC 61850, an IP-based, self-describing, object-oriented protocol suite implementing a common data model agreed upon by major substation vendors.

As part of the security policy development effort, EnerNex created a Secure Device Specification for TVA to provide to vendors for intelligent electronic devices intended to be deployed on the PowerWAN. The specification was designed to ensure that devices had the capability to meet the PowerWAN Security Policy, allowing TVA to meet the Critical Infrastructure Protection standards, produced by the North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC). The specification is intended to provide a means of setting goals for vendors providing Intelligent Electronic Devices that will reside on the PowerWAN. EnerNex also developed an accompanying Rationale document, explaining in detail the motivation and importance behind each of the requirements. The Secure Device Specification and accompanying Rationale are referenced by the Vendor Relations Guidelines, which will point to TVA-defined Minimum 61850 Functionality and Environmental Requirements documents as well. The Vendor Relations Guidelines also provide a reporting format for communicating test results and reconciliation with the vendor

For more information on our work with TVA and the PowerWAN Security Policy Project, please send e-mail to info@enernex.com.