Grid Telemetry Fingerprinting for Power Transaction Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
The electrical grid is vulnerable to cyber attacks, as existing systems lack effective methods to verify the authenticity of information transmitted across the grid, potentially allowing fraudulent instructions or data from unauthorized sources.
Innovation Solution
Generating a grid telemetry fingerprint based on characteristics like voltage, phase angle differences, reactive power, and changes in grid inertia, which is used to verify transactions and ensure that only authorized entities on the same section of the grid can generate a valid fingerprint, thereby preventing unauthorized access and manipulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing systems are used to transmit information across the grid, then communication between entities is maintained, but the system becomes vulnerable to cyber attacks and fraudulent instructions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by generating a fingerprint of grid conditions (voltage, frequency, phase angle) before the transaction occurs. This fingerprint is created in advance and attached to the transaction data, establishing a baseline that can be verified later to ensure the transaction originated from the claimed location on the grid.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary verification mechanism using grid condition fingerprints and blockchain technology. Instead of directly trusting transaction sources, the system uses the fingerprint (derived from physical grid characteristics) as an intermediary proof of origin, which is then recorded on an immutable ledger for verification.
2Reliability
If grid telemetry data is collected and processed, then transaction verification capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential grid condition parameters (voltage, frequency, phase angle) needed for verification and uses these to generate a simplified fingerprint representation. This extracted fingerprint is then attached to transactions, avoiding the need to process and verify entire datasets of grid telemetry information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms complex grid telemetry data into a simplified fingerprint by changing the parameters from raw measurements to a condensed representation that captures the essential identity of the grid location. This fingerprint can then be easily compared and verified without dealing with the complexity of the original multi-parameter data.
3Reliability
If fingerprint verification is implemented, then fraudulent transactions are prevented, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fingerprint is generated and attached to the transaction data in advance, before the verification step. This preliminary action ensures that when verification occurs, the comparison can be done quickly by simply matching the pre-computed fingerprint against the current grid conditions, rather than performing complex analysis at verification time.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, Systems, and Computer program products can use grid telemetry to generate a fingerprint. One of these methods includes generating a first grid telemetry fingerprint based on characteristics of an electrical grid. The method also includes verifying a transaction based on the first grid telemetry fingerprint and a second grid telemetry fingerprint associated with the transaction.