Authentication of smart grid communications using quantum key distribution

Alshowkan, Muneer; Evans, Philip G.; Starke, Michael; Earl, Duncan; Peters, Nicholas A.

doi:10.1038/s41598-022-16090-w

Title: Authentication of smart grid communications using quantum key distribution

Journal Article · 25 July 2022 · Scientific Reports

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-16090-w · OSTI ID:1879969

^[1];

^[1]; Earl, Duncan ^[2];

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Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Qubitekk Inc., Vista, CA (United States)

Smart grid solutions enable utilities and customers to better monitor and control energy use via information and communications technology. Information technology is intended to improve the future electric grid’s reliability, efficiency, and sustainability by implementing advanced monitoring and control systems. However, leveraging modern communications systems also makes the grid vulnerable to cyberattacks. Here we report the first use of quantum key distribution (QKD) keys in the authentication of smart grid communications. In particular, we make such demonstration on a deployed electric utility fiber network. The developed method was prototyped in a software package to manage and utilize cryptographic keys to authenticate machine-to-machine communications used for supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA). This demonstration showcases the feasibility of using QKD to improve the security of critical infrastructure, including future distributed energy resources (DERs), such as energy storage.

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Research Organization:: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC05-00OR22725

OSTI ID:: 1879969

Journal Information:: Scientific Reports, Journal Name: Scientific Reports Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 12; ISSN 2045-2322

Publisher:: Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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