Research

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

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 also published on the IEEE Xplore digital library.

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.

Research Poster