SMART GRID SECURE COMMUNICATIONS METHOD AND APPARATUS

摘要

Apparatus and methods performing secure communications in an energy delivery system. Energy delivery systems may include phasor measurement units (PMU), phasor data concentrators (PDC) along with power generation, transmission and consumption equipment. The PMU and PDC may communicate in a grid network over secured wired or wireless communication protocols. Embodiments may include utilizing spread spectrum communication between PMU devices and PDC devices to sustain energy delivery functionality during a communications attack. Communications security may include a cryptographic key management scheme for secure PMU and PDC communication and identification. Embodiments may include clustering of PMU and PDC data for analysis and real-time presentation to grid operators. Embodiments may include clustering of PMU devices in a hexagonal geometry to provide for frequency reuse among devices with directional antenna.

主权项

1. A secure communication system comprising:
a phasor measurement unit (PMU) coupled to a power grid, the PMU being configured to collect a plurality of data parameters from the power grid; a first radio coupled to the PMU; a phasor data concentrator (PDC) configured to receive and analyze the plurality of data parameters; and a second radio coupled to the PDC, the second radio being configured to receive the plurality of data parameters from the first radio and provide the plurality of data parameters to the PDC; wherein the first radio and the second radio are spread spectrum radios configured to communicate over secure channels, the secure channels utilizing a passcode configured in the first radio and the second radio.