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The Reuters headline read: Rogue communication devices found in Chinese solar power inverters.
The story is based on anonymous U.S. government sources who wished to remain nameless because they are not authorized to speak to the media.
A Department of Energy spokesperson offered this response to Reuters: “As more domestic manufacturing takes hold, DOE is working across the federal government … to integrate trusted equipment into the power grid.”
That’s comforting.
The inverters in question are associated with some Chinese-manufactured solar panels. Like many cleantech-related components, China makes most of the world’s power inverters. These devices are used to connect renewables to the grid, and in batteries, heat pumps, and EV chargers.
Given current Chinese leadership, the possibility of a “built-in back door” isn’t shocking, or even precedent-setting. In 2019, the government-imposed restrictions on inverters and other technology manufactured by Huawei Technologies for similar reasons.
The ‘rogue’ description was due to a lack of disclosure. Software that allows technicians to perform legitimate tasks like monitor system performance is normally disclosed in a software bill of materials.
Hmmm… probably just an oversight. The Chinese responded by saying “We oppose the generalization of the concept of national security, distorting and smearing China’s infrastructure achievements.”
That settles that. The Chinese never lie. They’re as trustworthy as, well, Vladimir Putin.
Why is the most disturbing story that will be published this year?
According to the sources, the devices “provide additional, undocumented communication channels that could allow firewalls to be circumvented remotely, with potentially catastrophic consequences.”
Couple that with the fact that Chinese companies are required to “cooperate” with government intelligence agencies and the possibilities are clear.
Think it can’t happen?
It evidently already has. The sources told Reuters that in November a solar power inverter in the U.S. was disabled from China. Think of that as the $0.98 charge credit card fraudsters make to test if they can steal greater amounts.
Let me paint a realistic scenario:
China invades Taiwan. The U.S. retaliates. China begins to turn the lights off. At that point, if we disconnect the suspect devices, we could easily lack sufficient power to run the country.
Many remain focused on the potential for nuclear war, but the next “world war” won’t be so crude. It will be cyber and/or economic. If this report is accurate, we have allowed China to install a Trojan Horse on our electric grid.
The question is: if true, how pervasive are these devices and what’s the plan?
#solarpower #invertertechnology #electricgrid #chinesetechnology