Ensuring secure connectivity in smart vehicular to grid technology: An elliptic curve-based authentication key agreement framework

Abstract

The seamless and secure operation of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) networks is paramount for the future of smart grid technology, where Electric Vehicles (EVs) not only draw power but also supply it back to the grid. However, the integration of EVs into the grid introduces significant security and privacy challenges, particularly in the exchange of sensitive information between EV owners and charging station aggregators. This paper presents a novel authentication key agreement protocol specifically designed to address these challenges within V2G networks. The proposed protocol leverages Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) and a robust hash function to establish a secure communication channel, ensuring that personal data remains protected from a wide array of security threats, including eavesdropping, impersonation, and replay attacks. The protocol’s effectiveness and security are rigorously validated through simulation analysis using the Scyther tool, which confirms its resilience against potential vulnerabilities. Moreover, the protocol is designed for compatibility with various encryption techniques, ensuring its adaptability across different V2G network configurations. Our analysis also highlights the protocol’s efficiency, demonstrating minimal processing and communication overhead, making it suitable for real-time applications in resource-constrained environments. The findings of this study suggest that the proposed protocol not only enhances the security and privacy of V2G networks but also contributes to the broader goal of creating a more secure, reliable, and user-friendly smart grid ecosystem. By safeguarding the exchange of sensitive information, this protocol ensures that V2G networks can operate safely, fostering greater confidence among EV owners and facilitating the wider adoption of this innovative technology.