"We are one step ahead of cyber threats to protect the smart grid"
The Basque Country is leading the way in research to protect smart grids
The digital transformation of the electricity system is increasing the exposure of energy infrastructures to new cyber threats. Against this backdrop, the Basque Country is taking a step forward to increase the resilience of its critical infrastructures through VISTA, a strategic R&D initiative that addresses the security of the smart grid supply chain.
VISTA brings together the Basque innovation, energy and research ecosystem to protect the electricity supply chain through advanced cybersecurity technologies.
Technologies to anticipate supply chain risks
The research addresses three key areas to increase the cybersecurity of the electricity system:
- Privacy-preserving technologies to share sensitive information without compromising the intellectual property of manufacturers.
- Automated generation of proof of cybersecurity compliance, facilitating certification and interoperability between systems.
- Advanced artificial intelligence models capable of identifying dependencies between assets and predicting new attack vectors before they occur.
These capabilities will help to improve the early detection of threats and the protection of the assets that underpin the smart grid.
A Basque ecosystem connected to industry
One of the key features of VISTA is the direct involvement of the entire energy value chain in the Basque Country. The initiative has a Business Committee comprising i-DE (Iberdrola Group), Aclara-Hubbell, Ariadna, Arteche, Ingeteam, Merytronic, Ormazabal and ZIV, which will translate real market needs into technological development.
Furthermore, the results will be validated in digital substation environments in accordance with the IEC 61850 Standard, accelerating their transfer to the sector and helping to consolidate the Basque Country as a European leader in the convergence of the energy transition, digitalisation and industrial cybersecurity.
We are coordinating this initiative in partnership with the University of Deusto, EHU and the BASQUENERGY Cluster to develop new technological capabilities that ensure the secure exchange of information between manufacturers, suppliers and electricity operators.
VISTA is funded by the Basque Government’s ELKARTEK 2026 programme and is aligned with Grid4Industry, the industrial transformation initiative promoted by i-DE (Iberdrola Group) and the Basque Government as part of the Basque Country 2030 Industry Plan.