Application of Game Theory to Improve the Defense of the Smart Grid

Abstract

This thesis presents the development and evaluation of a distributed agent based system using reputation based trust and game theoretic techniques to improve the defense of the future smart grid from cyber-attack and equipment malfunctions. Future smart grid capabilities promise to leverage network technologies to revolutionize the production, transmission, distribution and consumption of electrical power. However, the internet like communication also increase the power grid's vulnerability to cyber-attack. This thesis uses simulation linking power systems with communication networks to demonstrate the benefits of a Distributed Decision Making Communication Enable Special Protection System (SPS) using reputation based trust and game theory to protect the power grid from malicious and non-malicious malfunctions. The simulations show that a distributed approach to SPS load shedding successfully maintains power grid stability after an electrical disturbance while using reputation based trust to defend the load shedding from cyber-attack and equipment malfunction. Additional simulations demonstrate the application of game theory to defend the SPS load shedding process when available resources prevent the monitoring and defense of every part of the power grid. The demonstrated capability increases the resiliency of the power grid by preventing uncontrolled blackouts through detection and mitigation of attacks, improving the system's reliability.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 2012
Accession Number
ADA557336

Entities

People

  • Keith J. Ross

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Biomedical
  • Cyber
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Communication Networks
  • Communication Systems
  • Computational Science
  • Computer Network Security
  • Computer Networks
  • Computers
  • Control Systems
  • Cyberattacks
  • Data Links
  • Detection
  • Electrical Grids
  • Game Theory
  • Human-Machine Interfaces
  • Load Monitoring
  • Reliability
  • Vulnerability

Fields of Study

  • Computer science
  • Engineering

Readers

  • Economics
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Robotics and Automation.

Technology Areas

  • Cyber