Research project FORTE

Enhancing resilience and optimising response to cascade effects in critical infrastructures

Credit:

BMFTR

Our societal coexistence is increasingly dependent on the networking of critical infrastructures (German: Kritische Infrastrukturen; “KRITIS”) such as transport, telecommunications or the energy system. In recent years, cost optimisation has been the main focus in some KRITIS. However, against the background of disruptions and crises, the assurance of resilience becomes more and more important. Threat situations such as pandemics, natural disasters, transport capacity shortages or targeted cyber-attacks can trigger cascade effects that extend far beyond the primary affected sector and endanger the supply to the population. The FORTE research project, funded by the Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space, addresses this challenge by aiming to create transparency about existing dependencies and potential cascade effects in the KRITIS sectors of energy, information technology, telecommunications, transport, traffic and food supply. The goal is to identify and evaluate preventive measures to avoid or mitigate adverse effects in crisis situations.

Research project FORTE

 

Duration

February 2026 to January 2029

Funded by

Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space

Project participants

  • Institute of Networked Energy Systems
  • 4flow SE, Berlin
  • Kühne Logistics University gGmbH
  • CII.Research gGmbH

The central objective of the FORTE research project is the analysis of the complex interactions between the different KRITIS sectors. The project members link their respective domain expertise with concrete business application examples to investigate threat situations based on known scenarios as well as novel developments. This analysis yields the development of user tools intended to provide decision-makers in business, politics and administration with a transparent and understandable representation of scenarios, cascade effects and for decision-making. By demonstrating the core interdependencies and using the tools in workshops and trainings, understanding of cross-KRITIS risks is strengthened and the implementation of effective crisis management strategies is supported. The project will measure its success by whether new cascade effects have been identified and communicated to relevant stakeholders.

Within FORTE, the Institute of Networked Energy Systems focuses on the interactions of the energy system in stress cases and the assessment of its resilience. In particular, the effects of disruptions in the energy sector on other KRITIS areas are simulated and analysed. The research emphasises the identification and consideration of dependencies in crisis situations and a more detailed modelling of various, practice-oriented measures to increase the resilience of the energy system to external influences. Among other things, the effects of cyber-attacks on the energy system are investigated and strategies for maintaining the energy supply during a gas shortage situation are examined.

Departments, research groups and challenges related to the FORTE project:

Department

Energy Systems Analysis

The Energy Systems Analysis department generates system-analytical knowledge, which we provide across sectors up to the global level and based in part on methods and modelling tools developed in-house.

Research Group

Energy System Modelling

The Energy System Modelling research group is developing methods and solutions for the planning and operation of future energy infrastructures. The primary focus lies in examining how various technologies can contribute to creating energy systems that are sustainable, reliable, and cost-effective.

Research Group

Energy Scenarios and Technology Assessment

The Energy Scenarios and Technology Assessment research group assesses alternative options and pathways for the transformation towards a sustainable energy economy. The aim is a holistic assessment across the entire life cycle of the technologies.

Challenge

Strategies for sustainable energy systems

Energy transition is a dynamic process that must be continuously adapted to new influences such as technical innovations or socially negotiated framework conditions.

Contact

Energy System Modelling

Research Group
Institute of Networked Energy Systems