This article reports on the discovery of unexplained and undocumented communication devices, including cellular radios, found within Chinese-made solar power inverters and batteries used in renewable energy infrastructure globally. U.S. energy officials are reassessing the security risks posed by these components, which could potentially bypass firewalls and allow remote access or control, leading to grid instability, infrastructure damage, or blackouts. The findings come amid escalating US-China tensions and highlight concerns about strategic dependencies. The U.S. Department of Energy is working on improving disclosure and integrating "trusted equipment," while some utilities and international partners are taking steps to reduce reliance on Chinese suppliers.
Exploring Security Risks in Renewable Energy Infrastructure: Unexplained Devices Found in Chinese Inverters and Batteries
Discovery of Rogue Devices: U.S. experts have found undocumented communication devices, including cellular radios, in some Chinese solar power inverters and batteries, which are not listed in product documentation.
Potential for Circumvention: These rogue components provide additional, undocumented communication channels that could allow attackers to bypass firewalls and remotely access or control the equipment.
Severe Consequences: Experts warn that using these devices to switch off inverters or change settings remotely could destabilize power grids, damage infrastructure, and cause widespread blackouts.
US Government Response: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) continually assesses risks with emerging technologies, notes the challenge of manufacturer disclosure, and is working on measures like Software Bill of Materials (SBOMs) and promoting "trusted equipment."
Geopolitical Context: The discoveries are being reassessed within the context of escalating U.S.-China tensions and concerns about security vulnerabilities in strategic infrastructure.
Legislative Action: U.S. Senators have introduced legislation (Decoupling from Foreign Adversarial Battery Dependence Act) to ban the Department of Homeland Security from purchasing batteries from certain Chinese entities starting in 2027 due to national security concerns.
Utility Actions: Some U.S. utilities are preparing for potential bans on Chinese inverters and attempting to source equipment from non-Chinese suppliers.
Market Dominance: Huawei is the world's largest supplier of inverters, with significant market share globally, followed by other Chinese companies like Sungrow and Ginlong Solis.
European Risk: Experts estimate over 200 GW of European solar power capacity is linked to Chinese-made inverters, equivalent to more than 200 nuclear power plants, posing a potential risk of widespread disruption if remotely controlled.
Remote Disabling Incident: A commercial dispute in late 2024 demonstrated the risk when inverters from two suppliers were remotely disabled from China, highlighting foreign influence over local electricity supplies.
Sector Lag: The energy sector is considered to be trailing other industries like telecoms and semiconductors, where regulations to mitigate China's dominance have been more actively implemented.
NATO Concern: The NATO alliance views China's efforts to control critical infrastructure, including inverters, as intensifying and recommends identifying and reducing strategic dependencies.