Securing the Green Grid: AI and Cyber Defense for Sustainable Renewable Energy, Raphael Röttinger
Raphael Röttinger
Professor of Cybersecurity and Terrorism
Donau University Krems
Austria
ORCID: 0009-0000-4371-4968
Paper Type: Literature Review
DOI: 10.47556/J.WJSTSD.21.1-2-3.2026.14
Received: 3 September 2025 / Revised: 10 January 2026 / Accepted: 20 January 2026 / Published: 20 March 2026
Purpose: This paper examines how the digitalisation of renewable energy systems increases their exposure to cyber-attacks and highlights measures to strengthen resilience.
Design/Methodology/Approach: A structured review of current literature identifies major vulnerabilities, particularly in Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) environments, Internet of Things (IoT) integration and decentralised infrastructures. Technical and organisational countermeasures, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS) and targeted training programmes, are analysed.
Findings: The study shows that cyber-attacks represent a serious risk to energy security. While encryption, IDS and firewalls are crucial defence mechanisms, they suffer from a lack of standardisation and organisational awareness. Real-world cases, including the Deutsche Windtechnik incident in 2022, illustrate the urgency of action.
Originality/Value: The paper synthesises technological and organisational perspectives and provides practical recommendations for policymakers, operators and industry stakeholders to secure the energy transition.
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence; Cyberattacks; Renewable Energy; Cybersecurity; SCADA; Intrusion Detection; Internet of Things.
Citation: Röttinger, R. (2026): Securing the Green Grid: AI and Cyber Defense for Sustainable Renewable Energy. World Journal of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development (WJSTSD), Vol. 21, Nos. 1/2/3, pp. 231-242. WASD: London, United Kingdom.
