Distributed Consensus Control for Attack-Resilient Smart Grid Nodes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current smart grid control systems are vulnerable to cyber and physical attacks, and they do not effectively utilize computation as a distributed resource for secure and automated control of energy and computation systems.
Innovation Solution
The TransActive Grid (TAG) system implements a decentralized, market-based, peer-to-peer control and settlement network using blockchain technology for secure, autonomous control of smart grid devices, enabling self-executing contracts and tokenization of energy and computation values, ensuring secure, resilient, and efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If centralized control systems (SCADA, IEC 61850, IEEE 1547) are used for smart grid control, then automation and control capability are improved, but vulnerability to cyber and physical attacks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized control architecture into distributed autonomous nodes (TAG elements) that operate independently but cooperatively. Each node maintains its own control logic and can make autonomous decisions, eliminating the single point of failure in centralized systems. This segmentation is achieved through blockchain technology where each participant runs a node that validates transactions and maintains the ledger independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces blockchain as an intermediary layer that mediates all transactions and control decisions between TAG elements. This intermediary provides cryptographic verification, consensus mechanisms, and immutable record-keeping that secures the system against attacks while maintaining automation. The blockchain intermediary replaces vulnerable centralized control with a decentralized trustless system.
2Reliability
If distributed energy resources and smart grid technologies are integrated, then system reliability and efficiency are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal control framework (TAG system) that can accommodate multiple types of distributed energy resources and smart grid technologies through a common interface and protocol. The blockchain-based platform provides universal transaction validation and settlement mechanisms that work across diverse devices, reducing the need for device-specific control logic and simplifying integration complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of control from centralized hierarchical command to decentralized peer-to-peer autonomous decision-making. By altering the control paradigm from top-down to distributed consensus, the system manages complexity through standardized cryptographic protocols and economic incentives rather than complex control wiring and communication protocols.
3Reliability
If computation is used as a distributed resource for control, then control capability and security are improved, but energy consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service computation where each TAG element uses its own computational resources to validate transactions and maintain the blockchain ledger independently, rather than relying on external centralized computing infrastructure. This distributes the computational burden across all participants, reducing the energy concentration risk while providing security through distributed verification. The system self-regulates through economic incentives that reward honest computation and penalize malicious behavior.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for the cryptographically-secure, autonomous control of devices comprising, connected to or remotely operating devices in an electrically powered network and the transaction of the benefits, costs or value created by or transacted through the devices in this electrically powered network.