Assuming you have
1) generators paralelled with the utility grid
2) Web interfaces for remote start up and syncronizing of generators
3) alter the control limits or disable interlocks through software manipulations
Now parallel generators out of phase by 180 degrees. What do you think might happen?
How about changing the prime mover speed so that the generator starts acting as a motor instead of a generator.
How about taking control of the VAR capacitor banks and start changing the Power Factor.
What if alot of things we are not SUPPOSED to do are "protected" by software, and people start altering the software maliciously. All sorts of strange things can start happening.
Plus all sorts of metering, billing, transmission, and actual electrical information is running around between large companies that have local generation and the local utilities. Tapping into those networks must be possible.
With enough money and effort, most of that information can be accessed and possibly controlled.
What scares me is how reliant the US has become on computers to control everything from almost anywhere.
Larry C
