As part of the eFORT Horizon project —aimed at strengthening cybersecurity and resilience in European power grids— project partner, Cuerva, is leading a key demonstration in Spain. Throughout this year, the team has made significant progress in the design and preparation of three use cases to be implemented in Cuerva’s real electricity network, with the goal of validating innovative solutions in a practical environment.
Achievements So Far
During the first half of the year, the three main use cases were defined and detailed: UC1: Blockchain Market + Battery Model, UC2: SecureBox + IP + ChatBot y UC3: Risk Analysis Tools. Beyond this initial design phase, intensive technical development work has also taken place, such as the integration of blockchain technology for energy exchange, the so-called SecureBox, to provide cybersecurity and cyber-resilience to the substation, and the adaptation of the network risk analysis tool for the low-voltage grid. All this work lays the foundation for their deployment and integration in the second half of the year.
Use Case 1 – Blockchain Market + Battery Model
This use case explores the integration of blockchain technology for energy exchange through batteries connected to the grid. Additionally, virtual reality glasses will be used to intuitively visualize battery status and access relevant information.
Use Case 2 – SecureBox + IP + ChatBot
In the field of cybersecurity, progress has been made in planning the installation of two key components: a Schneider Electric RTU (Remote Terminal Unit) and the SecureBox developed by CIRCE. The integration plan and location within a real Cuerva substation, the Escúzar substation, have already been defined, with the aim of evaluating system behaviour under real-world cyberattack conditions.
Use Case 3 – Risk Analysis Tools
The third use case involves applying a risk analysis tool developed by Universidad Pontificia Comillas. Over the past months, Cuerva has worked on modelling a low-voltage network that will allow this tool—originally designed for high-voltage environments—to be used in a new, more distributed context.
What’s Next?
Cuerva advances in implementing solutions for the Spanish demo in eFORT
With the goal of strengthening the cybersecurity and resilience of European power grids, Cuerva is leading one of the key demonstrations in Spain. During the first half of 2025, the company has worked intensively on designing and preparing three use cases that will be implemented in its real electricity network.
What are the next steps?
With a solid technical foundation already in place, Cuerva’s efforts will now focus on deploying and validating the developed solutions in real operational environments:
- Use Case 1 – Blockchain and distributed batteries
A 3D model of the batteries will be deployed, designed for visualization through virtual reality glasses. Additionally, a user API is being finalized to integrate this functionality into control and monitoring platforms, facilitating interoperability of distributed storage with blockchain technology.
- Use Case 2 – Cybersecurity in substations
Once version 2.0 of the SecureBox is completed by CIRCE, it will be integrated with a Schneider Electric RTU and installed in a Cuerva substation. This phase will be key to evaluating the solution’s behavior against cyberattacks under real operating conditions.
- Use Case 3 – Risk analysis tool
Cuerva is finalizing the modeling of a low-voltage network where the risk analysis tool developed by Universidad Pontificia Comillas will be applied. The planned tests will assess its effectiveness in this new distributed environment.
With these upcoming milestones, eFORT and its partners, including Cuerva, reaffirms its commitment to innovation, the digitalisation of the power system, and the development of a more secure and resilient energy infrastructure.
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