Exploring Blockchain-Secured Data Validation in Smart Meter Readings

Sarah Tahir Bokhari; Tehreem Aftab; Ibrahim Nadir; Taimur Bakhshi

doi:10.1109/inmic48123.2019.9022772

Exploring Blockchain-Secured Data Validation in Smart Meter Readings

Sarah Tahir Bokhari, Tehreem Aftab, Ibrahim Nadir, Taimur Bakhshi

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

Abstract

Current resource consumption monitoring systems such as utility meters allow for easy manipulation to give incorrect readings and generate corrupt bills leading to huge financial losses for utility companies. In order to limit this practice, the present work proposes the use of smart meters in tandem with an Ethereum-based blockchain to secure utility (consumption) data. Electricity generation and smart metering is taken as case-study and the proposed design is benchmarked in terms of time complexity, consensus algorithms, and security to ascertain optimal blockchain parameters for practical deployments. Given the relatively nascent and un-tested existing blockchain communication protocols, a custom TCP-based protocol is also developed to address additional re-validation requirements of the metering data exchanged between the blockchain nodes. The quantitative and qualitative analysis of the proposed approach highlights a significant reduction in any human interference and errors that may lead to misappropriations in consumer metering and adds a greater degree of robustness to the billing process for the benefit of utility companies.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Proceedings 22nd IEEE International Multi Topic Conference
Subtitle of host publication	INMIC'19 Islamabad, Pakistan
Publisher	Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Number of pages	7
ISBN (Electronic)	978-1-7281-4001-8 , 978-1-7281-4002-5
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/inmic48123.2019.9022772
Publication status	Published - 5 Mar 2020
Externally published	Yes
Event	22nd IEEE International Multi Topic Conference - National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan Duration: 29 Nov 2019 → 30 Nov 2019 Conference number: 22nd

Publication series

Name	2019 22nd International Multitopic Conference (INMIC)

Conference

Conference	22nd IEEE International Multi Topic Conference
Abbreviated title	INMIC'19
Country/Territory	Pakistan
City	Islamabad
Period	29/11/19 → 30/11/19

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1109/inmic48123.2019.9022772

Cite this

Bokhari, S. T., Aftab, T., Nadir, I., & Bakhshi, T. (2020). Exploring Blockchain-Secured Data Validation in Smart Meter Readings. In Proceedings 22nd IEEE International Multi Topic Conference: INMIC'19 Islamabad, Pakistan [9022772] (2019 22nd International Multitopic Conference (INMIC)). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. https://doi.org/10.1109/inmic48123.2019.9022772

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title = "Exploring Blockchain-Secured Data Validation in Smart Meter Readings",

abstract = "Current resource consumption monitoring systems such as utility meters allow for easy manipulation to give incorrect readings and generate corrupt bills leading to huge financial losses for utility companies. In order to limit this practice, the present work proposes the use of smart meters in tandem with an Ethereum-based blockchain to secure utility (consumption) data. Electricity generation and smart metering is taken as case-study and the proposed design is benchmarked in terms of time complexity, consensus algorithms, and security to ascertain optimal blockchain parameters for practical deployments. Given the relatively nascent and un-tested existing blockchain communication protocols, a custom TCP-based protocol is also developed to address additional re-validation requirements of the metering data exchanged between the blockchain nodes. The quantitative and qualitative analysis of the proposed approach highlights a significant reduction in any human interference and errors that may lead to misappropriations in consumer metering and adds a greater degree of robustness to the billing process for the benefit of utility companies.",

author = "Bokhari, {Sarah Tahir} and Tehreem Aftab and Ibrahim Nadir and Taimur Bakhshi",

year = "2020",

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day = "5",

doi = "10.1109/inmic48123.2019.9022772",

language = "English",

series = "2019 22nd International Multitopic Conference (INMIC)",

publisher = "Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers",

booktitle = "Proceedings 22nd IEEE International Multi Topic Conference",

note = "22nd IEEE International Multi Topic Conference<br/>, INMIC'19 ; Conference date: 29-11-2019 Through 30-11-2019",

}

Bokhari, ST, Aftab, T, Nadir, I & Bakhshi, T 2020, Exploring Blockchain-Secured Data Validation in Smart Meter Readings. in Proceedings 22nd IEEE International Multi Topic Conference: INMIC'19 Islamabad, Pakistan., 9022772, 2019 22nd International Multitopic Conference (INMIC), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, 22nd IEEE International Multi Topic Conference
, Islamabad, Pakistan, 29/11/19. https://doi.org/10.1109/inmic48123.2019.9022772

Exploring Blockchain-Secured Data Validation in Smart Meter Readings. / Bokhari, Sarah Tahir; Aftab, Tehreem; Nadir, Ibrahim et al.

Proceedings 22nd IEEE International Multi Topic Conference: INMIC'19 Islamabad, Pakistan. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, 2020. 9022772 (2019 22nd International Multitopic Conference (INMIC)).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

TY - GEN

T1 - Exploring Blockchain-Secured Data Validation in Smart Meter Readings

AU - Bokhari, Sarah Tahir

AU - Aftab, Tehreem

AU - Nadir, Ibrahim

AU - Bakhshi, Taimur

N1 - Conference code: 22nd

PY - 2020/3/5

Y1 - 2020/3/5

N2 - Current resource consumption monitoring systems such as utility meters allow for easy manipulation to give incorrect readings and generate corrupt bills leading to huge financial losses for utility companies. In order to limit this practice, the present work proposes the use of smart meters in tandem with an Ethereum-based blockchain to secure utility (consumption) data. Electricity generation and smart metering is taken as case-study and the proposed design is benchmarked in terms of time complexity, consensus algorithms, and security to ascertain optimal blockchain parameters for practical deployments. Given the relatively nascent and un-tested existing blockchain communication protocols, a custom TCP-based protocol is also developed to address additional re-validation requirements of the metering data exchanged between the blockchain nodes. The quantitative and qualitative analysis of the proposed approach highlights a significant reduction in any human interference and errors that may lead to misappropriations in consumer metering and adds a greater degree of robustness to the billing process for the benefit of utility companies.

AB - Current resource consumption monitoring systems such as utility meters allow for easy manipulation to give incorrect readings and generate corrupt bills leading to huge financial losses for utility companies. In order to limit this practice, the present work proposes the use of smart meters in tandem with an Ethereum-based blockchain to secure utility (consumption) data. Electricity generation and smart metering is taken as case-study and the proposed design is benchmarked in terms of time complexity, consensus algorithms, and security to ascertain optimal blockchain parameters for practical deployments. Given the relatively nascent and un-tested existing blockchain communication protocols, a custom TCP-based protocol is also developed to address additional re-validation requirements of the metering data exchanged between the blockchain nodes. The quantitative and qualitative analysis of the proposed approach highlights a significant reduction in any human interference and errors that may lead to misappropriations in consumer metering and adds a greater degree of robustness to the billing process for the benefit of utility companies.

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M3 - Conference contribution

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Y2 - 29 November 2019 through 30 November 2019

ER -

Exploring Blockchain-Secured Data Validation in Smart Meter Readings

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