Preserving consumer privacy on IEEE 802.11s-based smart grid AMI networks using data obfuscation

Abstract

While the newly envisioned Smart(er) Grid (SG) will result in a more efficient and reliable power grid, its use of fine-grained meter data has widely raised concerns of consumer privacy. In this paper, we propose to implement a data obfuscation approach to preserve consumer privacy and assess its feasibility on large-scale Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) network built upon the new IEEE 802.11s wireless mesh standard. We first propose a secure obfuscation value distribution approach on this 802.11s-based wireless mesh network. Using obfuscation values provided via this approach, the meter readings are obfuscated to protect consumer privacy from eavesdroppers and the utility companies while preserving the utility companies' ability to use the data for state estimation. We assessed the impact of using this privacy approach on the data throughput and delay. Simulation results have shown that the impact of our approach on the network performance is acceptable.