Research

Enhancing Cybersecurity in DER-Based Smart Grids with Blockchain and Differential Privacy

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Project Overview

America’s power grid is the largest machine in the world—so why is it so vulnerable? I built and tested a lightweight cybersecurity framework using blockchain to defend the energy systems powering our future.

The work was presented at the IEEE AI IoT World Congress Conference 2025 in Seattle, WA, where it received significant attention from industry experts and academics. The paper is currently under review for publication in IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid.

Why You Should Care

From ransomware attacks to blackout threats, the systems that power your home are increasingly at risk. As we rely more on clean, distributed energy sources like solar and wind, we’re also expanding the digital attack surface.

In 2025, Volt Typhoon, a Chinese state-sponsored hacking group, infiltrated Guam’s power grid—highlighting how vulnerable our energy infrastructure is. With threats escalating, my research offers a proactive solution: a fast, privacy-preserving blockchain framework that protects smart grids before the next attack hits.

Cybersecurity in smart grids isn’t just a technical problem—it’s a public safety issue. That’s why it matters.

Key Contributions

• Designed and implemented blockchain-based protocols for securing smart grid communications
• Developed differential privacy mechanisms to protect user data while preserving data utility
• Created a proof-of-concept implementation to demonstrate the viability of the security framework
• Conducted extensive performance analysis and security evaluations

Methodology

The research employed a comprehensive approach combining:

• Blockchain technology for secure and transparent record-keeping
• Differential privacy algorithms for data protection
• Simulation-based testing and validation
• Performance metrics analysis

Results and Impact

• Successfully demonstrated enhanced security in smart grid communications
• Achieved privacy preservation while maintaining system functionality
• Presented findings at departmental research symposiums
• Contributed to the broader field of cybersecurity in critical infrastructure

Skills Developed

• Blockchain development and implementation
• Privacy-preserving computation techniques
• System security analysis
• Research methodology and documentation
• Technical presentation and communication