A Gossip Algorithm based Clock Synchronization Scheme for Smart Grid Applications

The uprising interest in multi-agent based networked system, and the numerous number of applications in the distributed control of the smart grid leads us to address the problem of time synchronization in the smart grid. Utility companies look for new packet based time synchronization solutions with Global Positioning System (GPS) level accuracies beyond traditional packet methods such as Network Time Proto- col (NTP). However GPS based solutions have poor reception in indoor environments and dense urban canyons as well as GPS antenna installation might be costly. Some smart grid nodes such as Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs), fault detection, Wide Area Measurement Systems (WAMS) etc., requires synchronous accuracy as low as 1 ms. On the other hand, 1 sec accuracy is acceptable in management information domain. Acknowledging this, in this study, we introduce gossip algorithm based clock synchronization method among network entities from the decision control and communication point of view. Our method synchronizes clock within dense network with a bandwidth limited environment. Our technique has been tested in different kinds of network topologies- complete, star and random geometric network and demonstrated satisfactory performance

Key Management Systems for Smart Grid Advanced Metering Infrastructure: A Survey

Smart Grids are evolving as the next generation power systems that involve changes in the traditional ways of generation, transmission and distribution of power. Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) is one of the key components in smart grids. An AMI comprises of systems and networks, that collects and analyzes data received from smart meters. In addition, AMI also provides intelligent management of various power-related applications and services based on the data collected from smart meters. Thus, AMI plays a significant role in the smooth functioning of smart grids. AMI is a privileged target for security attacks as it is made up of systems that are highly vulnerable to such attacks. Providing security to AMI is necessary as adversaries can cause potential damage against infrastructures and privacy in smart grid. One of the most effective and challenging topic's identified, is the Key Management System (KMS), for sustaining the security concerns in AMI. Therefore, KMS seeks to be a promising research area for future development of AMI. This survey work highlights the key security issues of advanced metering infrastructures and focuses on how key management techniques can be utilized for safeguarding AMI. First of all, we explore the main features of advanced metering infrastructures and identify the relationship between smart grid and AMI. Then, we introduce the security issues and challenges of AMI. We also provide a classification of the existing works in literature that deal with secure key management system in AMI. Finally, we identify possible future research directions of KMS in AMI

Software Defined Networks based Smart Grid Communication: A Comprehensive Survey

The current power grid is no longer a feasible solution due to ever-increasing user demand of electricity, old infrastructure, and reliability issues and thus require transformation to a better grid a.k.a., smart grid (SG). The key features that distinguish SG from the conventional electrical power grid are its capability to perform two-way communication, demand side management, and real time pricing. Despite all these advantages that SG will bring, there are certain issues which are specific to SG communication system. For instance, network management of current SG systems is complex, time consuming, and done manually. Moreover, SG communication (SGC) system is built on different vendor specific devices and protocols. Therefore, the current SG systems are not protocol independent, thus leading to interoperability issue. Software defined network (SDN) has been proposed to monitor and manage the communication networks globally. This article serves as a comprehensive survey on SDN-based SGC. In this article, we first discuss taxonomy of advantages of SDNbased SGC.We then discuss SDN-based SGC architectures, along with case studies. Our article provides an in-depth discussion on routing schemes for SDN-based SGC. We also provide detailed survey of security and privacy schemes applied to SDN-based SGC. We furthermore present challenges, open issues, and future research directions related to SDN-based SGC.Comment: Accepte

Gelişmiş Ölçüm Altyapısı İçin Güvenlik Uygulamaları

Elektrik tüketimi ölçüm araçları, manuel olarak ölçüm yapılan analog sayaçlardan, elektrik tüketimi ile ilgili bilgileri toplayan ve elektrik dağıtım firmalarına ileten yeni akıllı sayaçlara doğru evrilmektedir. Sayaç verisinin okunmasını sağlayan tek yönlü otomatik sayaç okuma sistemlerinin (AMR) çıkışıyla sayaçlar akıllı şebeke yatırımlarının önemli bir kısmını oluşturmuştur. Otomatik sayaç okuma sistemleri ilk uygulamalar için cazip olmasına rağmen, çözülmesi gereken önemli bir husus olan talep tarafı yönetiminin AMR ile sağlanamadığı fark edilmiştir. AMR teknolojisinin kabiliyetlerinin tek yönlü sayaç verisi okuma ile sınırlı olması nedeniyle, sayaçlardan toplanan veriler üzerinden düzeltici önlemler alınmasına ve tüketicinin enerjiyi daha verimli akıllı kullanmasına yönelik özeliklere izin vermemektedir. Gelişmiş Ölçüm Altyapısı (AMI) ise akıllı sayaçlar ve dağıtım şirketleri arasında çift yönlü iletişim kurarak dağıtım şirketlerine sayaçlar üzerindeki parametreleri dinamik olarak değiştirme imkanı tanır. Bu nedenle, bu çalışmada AMI güvenliği üzerine odaklanılacaktır. Akıllı sayaç sistemlerinin yaygınlaşması ile birlikte, güvenlik bu sistemlerin gerekli ve kaçınılmaz bir ihtiyacı haline gelmektedir. Diğer taraftan, AMI sadece akıllı sayaçların fiziksel olarak dağıtımı manasına gelmemekte, ayrıca sayaç verilerinin yönetimi için gerekli olan karmaşık bir iletişim ağı ve bilgi teknolojileri altyapısını da içermektedir. Dolayısıyla güvenlik çözümlerini ele alırken geniş bir perspektifle yaklaşmak gerekmektedir. Bu nedenle de, sistemin kritik varlıkları belirlenmeli, tehditler iyi analiz edilmeli ve daha sonra güvenlik gereksinimleri iyi tanımlanmış olmalıdır. Bu çalışma AMI sisteminin temel güvenlik gereksinimleri, tehditlere karşı sistem kısıtlarını düşünerek olası çözümleri üzerine, şu anki güvenlik çözümlerini de resmederek, genel bir bakış sunmaktadır. Bu çalışmada, AMI sisteminin güvenlik gereksinimleri analiz edilecek, kısıtlar belirlenecek ve olası güvenlik tehditlerine karşı olası karşı önlemler belirlenecektir. Metering utilities have been replacing from analog meters that are read manually with new, smart meters that gather information about electricity consumption and transmit it back to electric companies. The metering has been the important part of the Smart Grid investments so far, with the initial introduction of one-way automated meter reading (AMR) systems to read meter data. Even though AMR technology proved to be initially enticing, utility companies have realized that AMR does not address demand-side management which is the major issue they need to solve. Since AMR’s capability is restricted to reading meter data due to its one-way communication system, it does not let utilities take corrective action based on the information gathered from the meters and does not assist customers in using energy intelligently. Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) creates a two-way communication network between smart meters and utility systems and provides utilities the ability to modify service-level parameters dynamically. Therefore in this work we will also focus on AMI security practices. While smart metering systems are become widespread security is going to be the one of its essential and inevitable needs. On the other hand, AMI does not only mean the physical deployment of smart meters, but it also includes meter data management system which is a complicated communication network and IT infrastructure. Hence a broad perspective has to be adopted when security solutions are considered. Therefore, assets of the system must be identified, threats must be well analyzed and then security requirements must be well defined. This paper presents an overview on the main security requirements of the AMI, on the threats possible solutions considering the system constraints by picturing the current security solutions. In this work, the security requirements for AMI systems will be analyzed, constraints will be determined and possible countermeasures against security threats will be given

Smart Grid Communications: Overview of Research Challenges, Solutions, and Standardization Activities

Optimization of energy consumption in future intelligent energy networks (or Smart Grids) will be based on grid-integrated near-real-time communications between various grid elements in generation, transmission, distribution and loads. This paper discusses some of the challenges and opportunities of communications research in the areas of smart grid and smart metering. In particular, we focus on some of the key communications challenges for realizing interoperable and future-proof smart grid/metering networks, smart grid security and privacy, and how some of the existing networking technologies can be applied to energy management. Finally, we also discuss the coordinated standardization efforts in Europe to harmonize communications standards and protocols.Comment: To be published in IEEE Communications Surveys and Tutorial