Privacy-preserving advance power reservation

Smart grid is considered to be the next generation power system. Integrating information and communication technology, power electronics, and power system technologies, smart grid reduces excess power generation by better matching power generation with customer demands, and facilitates renewable power generation by closely monitoring renewable energy source status. Such a large-scale network may be subject to various attacks. In particular, authentication and user privacy preservation are considered two major security concerns. In this article, we first highlight the importance of smart grid security. Next we introduce a new power request paradigm in which a customer is allowed to submit a power usage plan in advance. We then propose a secure and privacy-preserving power request scheme as a solution to this problem. To achieve the privacy-preserving property, our scheme employs two cryptographic techniques: anonymous credential and blind signature. We conclude this article by discussing the security and performance issues of our proposed scheme.

Introduction

Smart grid is considered to be the next generation power supply network. It is regarded as environmentally friendly because of two reasons. First, through the communication network of the system, the actual electricity demands of customers can be obtained in advance to reduce excess electricity generation. Second, it facilitates renewable energy power generation. Due to the intermittent nature of renewable generation such as solar and wind power, increased renewable penetration causes instability in the power grid. Smart grid, with its sensor and communication network, allows the system to better anticipate problems and make appropriate control decisions, thereby improving system stability.