Chinese power inverters in US have hidden communication devices
Undisclosed communication apparatus discovered within Chinese power inverters in the United States. U.S. energy officials are reassessing the security risks linked to Chinese-manufactured devices integral to renewable energy infrastructure, following the identification of unexplained communication equipment embedded in certain components, as reported by Reuters.
Security experts analyzing grid-connected equipment have identified unauthorized communication devices that are absent from product specifications within certain Chinese solar power inverters.
Power inverters, primarily produced in China and utilized worldwide to link solar panels and wind turbines to power grids, in addition to applications in batteries, heat pumps, and electric vehicle chargers, are currently facing scrutiny. Inverters are equipped with remote access functionalities for updates and maintenance; however, utility companies generally establish firewalls to prevent direct communication with China. In the past nine months, several Chinese suppliers have been found to include undocumented communication components, such as cellular radios, in their batteries. The precise quantity of solar inverters and batteries analyzed is not specified, as indicated in the report by Reuters. The presence of these undisclosed components raises concerns about the establishment of backdoor communication channels that could circumvent firewalls from a distance, leading to potentially severe consequences.
Mike Rogers, former director of the National Security Agency (NSA), posited that the Chinese might be anticipating that the widespread deployment of inverters constrains the West’s responses to the security challenge. “It is understood that China perceives value in exposing certain components of our fundamental infrastructure to potential destruction or disruption.” A representative from the Chinese embassy in Washington expressed disapproval regarding the extensive application of national security as a rationale for targeting China. “We oppose the generalization of the concept of national security, distorting and smearing China’s infrastructure achievements,” the spokesperson stated.
The findings have not been publicly acknowledged by the US government. The US Department of Energy (DOE) indicated that it consistently assesses risks associated with emerging technologies. “While this functionality may not have malicious intent, it is essential for those procuring to possess a comprehensive understanding of the capabilities of the products received,” a spokesperson stated.
In the context of escalating US-China tensions, the United States and allied nations are reassessing China’s role in essential infrastructure, driven by concerns regarding potential security vulnerabilities, as noted by two former government officials. In February, two US Senators put forth the Decoupling from Foreign Adversarial Battery Dependence Act, aimed at preventing the Department of Homeland Security from procuring batteries from specific Chinese firms beginning in October 2027, due to concerns regarding national security. The bill, which was referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on 11 March, has not yet become law and aims to address six Chinese firms — CATL, BYD, Envision Energy, EVE Energy, Hithium, and Gotion High-tech — that are allegedly connected to the Chinese Communist Party. In the interim, utilities are preparing for possible prohibitions on Chinese inverter manufacturers, with certain entities, such as Florida Power & Light, actively pursuing alternative suppliers.
