NREL | 1NREL | 1

Blockchain for Optimized Security and Energy Management (BLOSEM)

BLOSEM is a multi-laboratory project developed through the Grid Modernization Laboratory Consortium that fills a need for blockchain technology assessment for the energy sector.

NREL | 2

NREL Blockchain Projects

1. BlockCypher P2P Demo: Lab testing of Peer-to-peer energy transactions in ESIF• Executed on public blockchain with

associated hardware responses• Secured meter readings via

cryptographic proofing and data embed2. LDRD Blockchain-supported markets:

Platform for testing distribution-level market designs• Developed in HELICS co-simulation

environment• Includes detailed building models and

optimal bidding agents

Home 1 – Buyer

Home 2 –Seller

NREL | 3

NREL Blockchain Projects (cont.)

3. EWF/Exelon: Zero export feeder through transactive markets• Leverages testing platform

developed under LDRD• Models specific Pepco feeder and

associated buildings• Integrates components of EWF stack

to address secure ID and storing hashes of market activity on blockchain

4. Multi-level Cybersecurity PV Systems: Blockchain-enabled inverter control framework• Device and system level

enhancements• Seamlessly and autonomously

restore the system after a blackout

44

Blockchain for Optimized Security & Energy Management (BLOSEM)

4

Objectives• Create a multi-lab, unified testing platform (BLOSEM UTP) that has interoperability to

support a wide variety of blockchains. This testing environment will be representative of the modern grid of the future by encompassing generation, transmission, distribution, and end user (edge) for the electric grid.

• Identify and implement specific use cases that leverage inherent features of blockchain & ledger-based technologies to prevent, detect, and mitigate cyber-attacks.

• Accelerate the pipeline of validated cyber-physical security concepts from laboratory to utility sector, de-risking through standardized metrics and testing.

A multi-lab, DOE consortium to develop cross-sector guidance, standardized metrics, and testing environments for technology maturation of novel blockchain-based concepts for device security, secure

communications, and grid resilience.

Project Team and Partners• DOE Team: NETL (Lead Lab),NREL, Ames,

PNNL, SLAC• Industry Advisors: EPRI, Hitachi, Exelon,

IEEE, SCE, Energy Web Foundation, IBM, CMU, NIST, Rimation, Inc., DERP Tech, West Point U.S. Military Academy

• Co-PI: Sydni Credle, NETL sydni.credle@netl.doe.gov

• Co-PI: Tony Markel, NREL tony.markel@nrel.gov

• DOE Program Managers:Andrew Hlasko (FE, lead), Chris Irwin (OE), Rebecca Onuschak (NE)

55

Use Case Development

Utility Communications and Configuration Management

SDN for control center and substation coordination (Sub-case # 1)

SDN for control center and substation coordination (Sub-case #2)

Replacing Cross-Utility Exchanges

Remote DER Control and Coordination

1

2

3

4

Device/Sensor Coordination and Data Integrity

Grid automation, sensor integration, autonomous data acquisition from grid assets

Dynamic Controls of Demand Response from Generation

Create an access protected and immutable library of Process Knowledge

Securing the data and algorithms used for parallel performance monitoring and digital twins

Establish Immutable and Access Controlled Historian

7

5

6

8

9

Blackstart

Grid Automation, System Segmentation, and Blackstart

Optimizing Restart from System Interruptions (blackstart, black sky, etc.)

12

13Market

Grid Services Marketplace (Energy Focus)

14

Supply Chain

Secure ID (Identity Management)

10

11Supply Chain Security, Life Cycle Monitoring, and Real-time Auditing

NREL | 6

Project Outcomes

• De-risking implementations through standardized metrics and testing that leverages a federated lab testing approach

• Enhance domain expertise to inform blockchain technology solutions for the energy sector

• Engage with industry to transfer security benefits and risk insights of blockchain strategies

Thank you

This work was authored by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, operated by Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC, for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) under Contract No. DE-AC36-08GO28308. The views expressed in the article do not necessarily represent the views of the DOE or the U.S. Government. The U.S. Government retains and the publisher, by accepting the article for publication, acknowledges that the U.S. Government retains a nonexclusive, paid-up, irrevocable, worldwide license to publish orreproduce the published form of this work, or allow others to do so, for U.S. Government purposes.

Tony MarkelTony.Markel@NREL.gov