Giuseppe Sciumè, Emilio José García, Pierluigi Gallo, Eleonora Riva Sanseverino · 6 authors
The use of Distributed Ledger Technologies such as Blockchain for certifying Demand Response services allows for the creation of a distributed system in which customers can communicate with the system operator to provide their flexibility, in a secure, transparent and traceable way. Blockchain technology also supports incentive mechanisms for users taking part in the service through the generation of utility tokens to recognize the user's contribution. This paper presents the experimental test of a novel methodology for Demand Response programs implementation by using the Blockchain technology. The latter is employed for defining a distributed Demand Response service and a new system for its tracing and certification. For this work, a Smart Contract has been conceived and written to execute Demand Response events, calculate users' baseline, compute the support provided by each user towards the fulfilment of the requested load curve modification and remunerate each user with utility tokens proportionally to their contribution. To test the methodology, a Hyperledger Fabric network and a Smart Contract were deployed on four nodes of the Microgrid Laboratory of the Department of Energy Technology at Aalborg University (DK). Subsequently, a realistic scenario comprising two consumer nodes was developed using power electronic converters for generating the household profiles and Smart Meters for the measurement of the consumption profiles. Theoretical and experimental results show the feasibility of Distributed Ledger Technologies in smart grids management with a minimum investment in new hardware while enabling the active participation of customers in Demand Response more transparently and fairly.
Rabiya Khalid, Nadeem Javaid, Ahmad Almogren, Muhammad Umar Javed · 6 authors
Local energy generation and peer to peer (P2P) energy trading in the local market can reduce the energy consumption cost, emission of harmful gases (as renewable energy sources are used to generate energy at user's premises) and increase the smart grid resilience. However, local energy trading with peers can have trust and privacy issues. A centralized system can be used to manage this energy trading but it increases the overall cost of the system and also faces several issues. In this paper, to implement a hybrid P2P energy trading market, a blockchain-based system is proposed. It is fully decentralized and allows the market members to interact with each other and trade energy without involving a third party. Smart contracts play a very important role in the blockchain-based energy trading market. They contain all the necessary rules for energy trading. We have proposed three smart contracts to implement the hybrid electricity trading market. The market members interact with the main smart contract, which requests P2P and prosumer to grid smart contracts for further processing. The main objectives of this paper are to propose a model to implement an efficient hybrid energy trading market while reducing cost and peak to average ratio of electricity.
Tarek Medalel Masaud, Jonathan Warner, Ehab F. El‐Saadany
Interconnected microgrids are becoming a building block in smart systems. Initiating secure and efficient energy trading mechanisms among networked microgrids for reliability and economic mutual benefits have become a crucial task. Recently, integrating blockchain technologies into the energy sector have gained significant amount of interest, e.g. transactive grid. This paper proposes a two-layer secured smart contract-based energy trading mechanism to allow microgrids to establish coalitions, adjust the electricity-trading price, and achieve transparent and decentralized secure transactions without intervention of a third trusted party. Since reliability benefits are main drivers of microgrids operation in islanded mode, a new decentralized smart contract based-energy trading model for islanded networked microgrids is proposed in the first layer with an objective to achieve demand generation balance. In the second layer, and to achieve a higher security, all executed contracts are verified and saved in a blockchain based on a new developed two-phase consensus method that utilizes practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance (pBFT), and a modified Proof of Stake (PoS). Simulations are conducted in Python environment to validate the proposed energy trading model.
Konstantin Mironov, Sergey Trishin, Vadim Kartak, Amir Makhmutov · 5 authors
In this article we look through the task of ensuring availability and integrity of information processed within the Internet of things (IoT) networks. Such networks include sensors, actuators and other devices that are data sources, gateways and data stream hubs that transmit information from sensors to the Internet, and servers that store the received data, process them and provide access to users. We propose to apply distributed ledger technology (DLT) to ensure integrity and accessibility of data in IoT, which is why it is proposed. As an example, we consider DLT application for data protection in the energy industry. We consider a system for processing and storing data on the production and consumption of electricity in a decentralized electricity network. A review of existing projects related to the use of distributed ledger technologies in the energy sector is carried out. However, an important obstacle for using DLT in IoT is that IoT devices often do not have the required computing power. This paper indicates further ways of research that are associated with overcoming this obstacle in the application of distributed ledger technologies in the energy field.
This paper is a review of literature, resources and advances in peer to peer ledger technology adoption and not just the evolution of ledger technology in power sector. It also introduces the concept of transition architectures from the field of enterprise architecture to fill the gap in adoption. It reviews the possibility of de-centralising energy optimally and the possibility of using an architecture roadmap of milestones (transition states) via transition architectures to enhance adoption rates. The paper evaluates features of distributed ledgers. It identifies the core features that can be introduced independent of each other, thereby making a minimal usable product in each transition state via transition architectures with a view of target state that would encompass all core features. It covers engaging the current participants (generators, transmission, distributors, metering, retailers, prosumers, banks, regulators and others); and how a gradual evolving nature via transition architectures would increase adoption due to smooth transition as the roles of current participants evolve while the market dynamics re-orchestrates. A discussion and proposal for a custom distributed ledger framework for energy domain balancing decentralisation, immutability, verification and transparency in a gradual manner; to address privacy, compliance, regulations and peer to peer trading is presented.
Serkan Seven, Gang Yao, Ahmet Soran, Ahmet Önen · 5 authors
A novel Peer-to-peer (P2P) energy trading scheme for a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) is proposed by using Smart Contracts on Ethereum Blockchain Platform. The P2P energy trading is the recent trend the power society is keen to adopt carrying out several trial projects as it eases to generate and share the renewable energy sources in a distributed manner inside local community. Blockchain and smart contracts are the up-and-coming phenomena in the scene of the information technology used to be considered as the cutting-edge research topics in power systems. Earlier works on P2P energy trading including and excluding blockchain technology were focused mainly on the optimization algorithm, Information and Communication Technology, and Internet of Things. Therefore, the financial aspects of P2P trading in a VPP framework is focused and in that regard a P2P energy trading mechanism and bidding platform are developed. The proposed scheme is based on public blockchain network and auction is operated by smart contract addressing both cost and security concerns. The smart contract implementation and execution in a VPP framework including bidding, withdrawal, and control modules developments are the salient feature of this work. The proposed architecture is validated using realistic data with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) environment of Ropsten Test Network.
A. Sheikh, V. Kamuni, Ahtisham Urooj, Sushama Wagh · 6 authors
To mitigate the problems of demand-supply mismatch in the future grid the solution of renewable energy source (RES) integration results in a bidirectional flow of information and transactions, which are prone to different kinds of cyber attacks, especially in energy trading where the security of financial transactions is of most concern. Electric vehicle (EV) having the advantage of mobility can play a significant role in maintaining demand-supply balance at any location unlike their peers (conventional compensator). For deciding entire system security, securing EVs charging-discharging transactions at all charging stations or connecting points is most important. The system can be made more secure against cyber-attacks with the introduction of the blockchain framework. Hence, in view of secured transactions, the paper focuses on the energy trading process between EVs and distribution network (DN) in a Byzantine based blockchain consensus framework. During peak load period DN initiates the energy trading process by demanding additional power from the EVs. This process of energy trading results in energy and information exchange which needs to be secured through blockchain from vulnerable attacks and threats. Possible scenarios of various cyber-attacks on different nodes of the system are visualized in the form of false data. To highlight the application of blockchain, the Byzantine general problem framework is used which states that for successful attack 33% of information is to be manipulated, in other words, decreasing the probability of attack confirms the system security. Numerical results based on various operating scenarios for the standard IEEE 33 bus system are in agreement with the Byzantine consensus problem indicating improvement in system security.
Smart grid (SG) is an emerging technology which provides many services to the end users and utilities, such as load management, frequency regulation, and grid stability. Although many solutions exist to provide these services in a secure manner, but these solutions are not adequate keeping in view of the heavy cryptographic primitives execution on these devices. Hence, in this article, GUARDIAN, a blockchain-based secure demand response management scheme is presented so as to take energy trading decisions securely for managing the overall load of residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. In GUARDIAN, the miner nodes, which are block verifiers, are selected using their power consumption and processing power. These nodes are responsible for authenticating the energy transactions in SG. The energy transaction is initialized by an end user which creates the block of transaction to trade the energy. The miner nodes then validate these blocks and adds these in the blockchain. The successful energy trade occurs only for the blocks which are in the blockchain. The proposed scheme is lightweight in terms of communication and computation costs. Moreover, the results obtained demonstrate the effectiveness of proposed scheme for secure demand response management in the SG.
While key negotiation schemes, such as those based on Diffie–Hellman, have been the subject of ongoing research, designing an efficient and security scheme remains challenging. In this paper, we propose a novel key negotiation scheme based on blockchain, which can be deployed in blockchain-enabled contexts such as data sharing or facilitating electric transactions between vehicles (e.g., unmanned vehicles). We propose three candidates for flexible selection, namely, key exchanges via transaction currency values through value channels (such as the amount in transactions), automated key exchanges through static scripts,and dynamic scripts, which can not only guarantee key availability with timeliness but also defend against MITM (man-in-the-middle) attacks, packet-dropping attacks, and decryption failure attacks.
Modern power systems depend on cyber-physical systems to link physical devices and control technologies. A major concern in the implementation of smart power networks is to minimize the risk of data privacy violation (e.g., by adversaries using data poisoning and inference attacks). In this article, we propose a privacy-preserving framework to achieve both privacy and security in smart power networks. The framework includes two main modules: a two-level privacy module and an anomaly detection module. In the two-level privacy module, an enhanced-proof-of-work-technique-based blockchain is designed to verify data integrity and mitigate data poisoning attacks, and a variational autoencoder is simultaneously applied for transforming data into an encoded format for preventing inference attacks. In the anomaly detection module, a long short-term memory deep learning technique is used for training and validating the outputs of the two-level privacy module using two public datasets. The results highlight that the proposed framework can efficiently protect data of smart power networks and discover abnormal behaviors, in comparison to several state-of-the-art techniques.
Power systems are undergoing a fundamental transition with penetration of a great number of distributed resources. Traditionally passive distribution network consumers have working been as `prosumers', actively managing their production and consumption of energy. Thus, the new business models are being investigated and implemented. In this paper, a blockchain-based energy transaction mechanism is introduced to suit the decentralized peer-to-peer energy trading. It encourages prosumers to initiate real-time trading with others nearby directly according to their actual production and consumption of energy. The transaction rules are formulated in the form of smart contract, applying the blockchain technology to clearly define the rights and obligations of prosumers. The proposed decentralized power transaction mechanism can implement peer-to-peer multilateral bidding transactions among prosumers, which encourages prosumers to put forward the reasonable demand in order to achieve efficient distribution and rational utilization of energy resources.
Zahid Ullah, Geev Mokryani, Muhammad Bilal Khan, Irfanullah Khan · 6 authors
Block-Chain (BC) based Smart Grid (SG) energy market is a very challenging domain of today's era. Various researchers and scientists worked successfully in BC technology, still, further investigations and analysis are required with respect to the SG framework. Considering the above, we present a new architecture integrating energy-generating prosumers with the utility through a BC network. Moreover, we describe a trustworthy agreement named Service Level Agreement (SLA) managing and controlling all energy transactions in the BC. The smart contract of a single prosumer with the utility is also explained in the context of the de-regulated energy market. Finally, promising features and applications of BC are presented, considering the SG paradigm.
Smart grid (SG) has given a better vision for electricity infrastructure. The quality, quantity of power transmitted and the usage of available data from smart sensing, metering and communication has dramatically increased with the introduction of smart grid to power systems. SG also has empowered customer participation by managing their load pattern to take advantage of choosing their supply and pricing options. The heart of the SG lies on the communication between the consumers and the grid operators. Grids operators need the real time customer meter data to schedule their supply and pricing policies and the consumers need the same to manage their loads. The Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) uses Aggregation Protocol with Error Detection (APED) to improve the security of data. The SG with SCADA is facilitated by data acquisitions which includes the meter reading, system conditions, etc. that are monitored and transmitted at regular intervals in real time. The security of data transfer is assured by the introduction of improvised Ciphertext Policy_ Attribute Based Encryption (CP-ABE) is used to achieve the security parameters like confidentiality, integrity, and availability in cloud computing. Block chain-based systems combine distributed register and cryptographic security measures. Introduction of block chain in SG has revolutionized the functioning of SG with smart contracts, and transaction of huge amount of data in a fully decentralized market platform.This paper reviews the modern technologies used in smart grid communication based on IEEE 802.15.4 standard to the SG and how it is modified to ensure effective, efficient and economical and secured communication of the huge real time data from the smart meters.
In view of the increasing generation of the distributed generation system, the increasing randomness and intermittence of micro-grid have been attracted much attention. The complexity and decentralization of power status information, which is difficult to meet the needs of the current power market in the stability and efficiency of the grid transaction. According to the randomness and intermittent characteristics of distributed generation, this paper innovatively proposes a micro-grid electric energy transaction mechanism based on Master-Slave smart contract and designs a framework of the Cyber-Physical System (CPS) for micro-grid. The specific constraints of micro-grid topology are analyzed. And in the cloud platform, smart contracts are used to reasonably manage the transaction order when the stochasticity of distributed generation generates excess or insufficient electricity.
Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESSs) are an integral part of a sustainable and resilient smart grid. The security of such critical cyber-physical infrastructure is considered as a major priority for both industry and academia. In this paper, we propose a new distributed smart-contract based control approach of BESSs to enable collaborative and secure operations among them. We present a comprehensive discussion on how control strategies can be implemented as smart contracts and deployed on a distributed network of BESSs nodes in order to operate these storage systems according to secure consensus. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed method, we analyze the vulnerabilities of BESSs when controlled according to traditional schemes vs. smart-contract enabled control. Simulation results show that if individual BESSs achieve a certain maximum threshold of exploitability, then the network of distributed BESSs is more robust to cyber-attacks in smart contract-defined control.
Juan Carlos Olivares, Enrique Reyes‐Archundia, José Antonio Gutiérrez Gnecchi, Jaime Cerda-Jacobo · 5 authors
Smart metering is among the most important current and future trends in smart grid development. Utility companies spearheading the smart meter revolution claim many benefits for the end-user. One of the key information technology solutions applied to smart meters is ensuring data protection and cybersecurity. Nowadays, the data tampering in smart meters is a big issue for the utilities and end-users. In particular, the advent of secure monetary transactions has inspired the diversification of blockchains as means to provide cybersecurity and encourage end-user trust. The blockchain technology has some issues such as storage and processing, which are necessary to improve for getting better performance in smart metering systems. Here, the authors propose a novel cybersecurity architecture for smart metering systems, based on blockchains to significantly enhance data security. The proposed architecture is divided into multiple tiers directed toward improving performance based on a scheme of edge, fog, and cloud computing. Besides, the authors present an optimized consensus algorithm for smart meters called proof-of-efficiency. The results show that the proposed architecture implemented can effectively improve cybersecurity and data protection for smart metering applications.
Muhammad Baqer Mollah, Jun Zhao, Dusit Niyato, Kwok‐Yan Lam · 8 authors
Due to the unique features and characteristics of blockchain technology, its applications have expanded across various sectors, including finance, banking, supply chains, and smart grids (SGs). Blockchain ensures security and trust in transactions without requiring a third party, making it particularly valuable in decentralized systems. This paper explores the integration of blockchain technology into SG systems. It begins with a comprehensive review of conventional and smart power grids, identifying the key challenges modern SGs face, particularly issues related to trust and fraud. An in-depth analysis of blockchain technology follows, highlighting its potential, advantages, and defining characteristics. The study then examines several blockchain-based SG applications and provides a comparative analysis of prior research. The findings of this review illuminate the critical role of blockchain in enhancing SG performance by addressing trust and fraud prevention challenges. Furthermore, this research has significant implications for the energy sector, as it underscores the potential of blockchain to revolutionize SGs through increased security, transparency, and efficiency. By providing a foundation for future studies, this paper aims to guide the development of unified blockchain frameworks that address scalability, privacy, and energy management, paving the way for a more secure and efficient decentralized energy system
Tejasvi Alladi, Vinay Chamola, Joel J. P. C. Rodrigues, S. A. Kozlov
With the integration of Wireless Sensor Networks and the Internet of Things, the smart grid is being projected as a solution for the challenges regarding electricity supply in the future. However, security and privacy issues in the consumption and trading of electricity data pose serious challenges in the adoption of the smart grid. To address these challenges, blockchain technology is being researched for applicability in the smart grid. In this paper, important application areas of blockchain in the smart grid are discussed. One use case of each area is discussed in detail, suggesting a suitable blockchain architecture, a sample block structure and the potential blockchain technicalities employed in it. The blockchain can be used for peer-to-peer energy trading, where a credit-based payment scheme can enhance the energy trading process. Efficient data aggregation schemes based on the blockchain technology can be used to overcome the challenges related to privacy and security in the grid. Energy distribution systems can also use blockchain to remotely control energy flow to a particular area by monitoring the usage statistics of that area. Further, blockchain-based frameworks can also help in the diagnosis and maintenance of smart grid equipment. We also discuss several commercial implementations of blockchain in the smart grid. Finally, various challenges to be addressed for integrating these two technologies are discussed.
The growing demand for EVs will lead to an increase in charging systems, both to guarantee the capillarity of charging systems and to distribute the demand for energy, which will increase over time. Since it is possible to have an efficient bidirectional energy flow, in fact car batteries can be used like any other energy storage system in the grid, with the added benefit of portability. The bi-directional energy flow would allow electric vehicle owners to participate in trading in energy markets, recharge batteries when energy is available at a low cost and discharge if the smart grid rewards them for their excess energy. This type of negotiation and control sharing can allow the network to perform demand management in periods of high demand, (e.g. peak shaving) or provision of additional storage in case of excess generation from RES. Through smart charging systems, it will be possible to decide where, when and which EV to recharge, thus reducing the load. The grid can be structured differently, in networks that serve small communities, in order to better manage RES energy flows, EV recharges and smart appliances. With this paper we want to determine a model for the smart charging of EVs, through the adaptive EV charging flow chart, through which a software agent, with a specific logic, decides whether to load a machine, in which sequence or if it is better to sell energy to the retail market. The agent learns and adapts to the individual Prosumers of EV, learning the preferences and mobility habits of different users, a fundamental element of the decision- making process, so that the owners of electric vehicles (or charging systems) decide to be part of the system. Finally, the management through Blockchain, makes every transaction reliable and verifiable, with the possibility of reducing or eliminating intermediaries in energy trading, thus reducing the range of antiexity of electric vehicle drivers, will make it possible to develop a new generation concept distributed: Smart Grid Community.
Distributed enforcement of spectrum policies require fusion of sensing results from a set of spatially scattered sensors to detect anomalous behavior with the highest possible accuracy. Central to this problem is the lack of trust or reputation of the participating sensors, which often leads to incorrect and biased inferences. In SenseChain, we leverage the distributed consensus mechanism employed in Blockchain networks to capture the reputation of the sensors, leading to a highly reliable and accurate enforcement system. Specifically, we define and analyze a detection mechanism to identify falsifying sensors using a distributed anomaly detection system and use the Blockchain to record the individual's behavior. The reputation is then based on the combination of the difficulty level of the consensus method and the degree of falsehood in the reported sensor values. We evaluate SenseChain using an integrated Blockchain and anomaly detection simulator to show that DLTs can be used to track reputation of distributed sensors for distributed enforcement of spectrum policies.