Donald Trump recently signed an executive order to protect the power grid in the United States. The mandate restricts the acquisition of transformers, inverters, and circuit breakers from abroad. This action seeks to protect the power infrastructure from potential digital and physical threats.
The order targets hardware like transformers, circuit breakers, and inverters—the essential devices that move electricity from power plants to your home. It also introduces new rules for complex software and digital systems, which are increasingly critical to energy management. Manufacturers are now looking for clarity on how to verify the country of origin for these digital components.
Previously, utility companies could source grid hardware globally with less attention on the digital supply chain. Unlike the earlier, strictly hardware-focused regulations, this new directive forces the industry to monitor the provenance of every software element embedded in its machines.
Security now starts at the power plant.
#energy #security #infrastructure
Utility Dive
Subscribe
