A Scalable Smart Grid Load Balancing Framework Using MQTT and Blockchain with Hybrid PBFT-PoS Consensus

Abstract

The increasing integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) into modern smart grids has created new challenges related to load balancing, real-time coordination, and secure energy transactions. Traditional centralized grid architectures are no longer sufficient to handle bidirectional energy flow, dynamic pricing, and operational requirements. The current paper proposes a scalable smart grid load balancing framework by integrating lightweight Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) communication with a hybrid blockchain-based consensus mechanism. Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance (PBFT) and Proof of Stake (PoS) were used to achieve consensus. MQTT provides low-latency and efficient communication among prosumer devices. And the blockchain layer ensures secure, tamper-evident, and auditable power transactions. The proposed hybrid consensus model achieves quicker transaction finality and byzantine fault tolerance within local microgrids and supports a scalable and economically secure environment through PoS. Smart contracts were utilized to automate important functions such as settlement, marginal pricing, and bid matching. The simulation outcome shows communication latency within a second, around 85% prosumer participation in demand response programs, and also a 23% increase in renewable energy utilization. The proposed framework provides a secure, transparent, and interoperable solution for next-generation decentralized smart grid systems.