The attack built by Giannetsos and his colleagues has a wider target than the power grid: any system that uses sensor mesh networks, from buildings that use the sensors to monitor for weaknesses in their architecture to sensors distributed in forests to detect wildfires.
The big idea: putting sensors everywhere that communicate in a mesh network and allow real-time tracking and optimization of everything from traffic to the power grid to the water supply.
Moreover, antennas and power connections must be equipped with surge protectors, windows must be coated with wire mesh or conductive coating, and doors must be sealed with conductive gaskets.