A Reuters investigation, citing two individuals familiar with the matter, revealed that undocumented components were found during security inspections of inverters connected to the national grid.
While they are designed for remote updates, U.S. utilities typically install firewalls to prevent unauthorized access.
However, analysts reportedly found communication modules, such as cellular radios, not listed in official documentation. These could create backdoors capable of bypassing security layers.
UNDOCUMENTED HARDWARE COULD BYPASS FIREWALLS, EXPERTS WARN
Sources told Reuters that the rogue hardware enables alternative communication channels that could be used to manipulate or disable energy systems remotely. "That effectively means there is a built-in way to physically destroy the grid," one source said.
Another warned that switching off or altering settings on inverters remotely could destabilize power networks or cause blackouts.
The U.S. Department of Energy acknowledged the challenge, saying it is working to improve transparency around imported technology.
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