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DOE OSTI2022

Evolutionary Game and Simulation Research of Blockchain-Based Co-Governance of Emergency Supply Allocation

Recently, with the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, emergency supply allocation system is drawing more and more social attention. Emergency supply allocation system is an important part of emergency governance system. It reflects social organizations’ credibility, public safety, and the modernization level of social governance. However, emergency supply allocation system still has some problems, such as information asymmetry, different desires of participants, unreasonable allocation, and so on. At present, it is widely accepted that the advantage of blockchain in co-governance could be of great help in solving above problems. And in order to distinguish the effect of blockchain to the emergency supply allocation, the paper builds a tripartite evolutionary game model among the government, social organizations, and the public to analyse the impact of blockchain platform on emergency supply allocation. The simulation analysis shows the following: (1) The strategy choices of the government have a crucial impact on the evolution and stability of social organizations’ strategies. It needs a long-term process to guide social organizations practicing active allocation, and the government should accelerate to build the blockchain platform to promote this process. (2) With the help of blockchain platform, the increment of penalty intensity of the government is conductive to increasing the probabilities that social organizations practice active allocation and the government practices strict supervision. (3) Blockchain platform has a significant impact on social organizations’ choice for active allocation in many aspects, such as the positive and negative effects of social organizations, effect’s increasing multiple, and the cost of the public informing. In the end, some suggestions are presented to improve the co-governance of emergency supply allocation.

Zhao, Huawei↗

DOE OSTI2022

ROS-Ethereum: A Convenient Tool to Bridge ROS and Blockchain (Ethereum)

Robot Operating System (ROS) has received widespread utilization with the development of robotics, self-driving, etc., recently. Meanwhile, the other technology blockchain is frequently applied to various fields with its trustworthy characteristics and immutability in data storage. However, ROS has no ability to interact with the blockchain, which hinders research in related fields. Therefore, we wonder if we can develop a convenient tool to bridge ROS and blockchain. Inspired by this, we propose ROS-Ethereum. It bridges ROS and Ethereum, a widely used blockchain platform. ROS-Ethereum is based on the User Datagram Protocol (UDP) communication mechanism and the SM algorithm family along with Ethereum technology. Simply put, ROS-Ethereum allows users to invoke the contract when interacting with the blockchain, which makes this process easier and safer. We conduct experiments in real robots to verify the effectiveness of ROS-Ethereum and evaluate it from the following metrics: (1) the encryption efficiency and stability of the algorithm and (2) ROS-Ethereum transaction response time and packet loss rate.

Zhang, Shenhui↗

DOE OSTI2021

Blockchain Applicability and Cybersecurity Frameworks (BAF)

The Blockchain Applicability and Cybersecurity Frameworks is the implementation of an earlier invention disclosure and Provisional Patent Application: S-146,805, Battelle IPID 31608-E. —BAF walks a user (or an interested party) through ~100 controls to determine various factors, including: 1. Does the application need a blockchain? 2. If the application needs a blockchain, does it need a private blockchain or permissionless/public blockchain? 3. What kind of consensus is most suitable for the application? The current version of BAF evaluates between four consensus mechanisms: proof-of-work, proof-of-stake, proof-of-burn, and proof-of-authority.

Gourisetti, Sri Nikhil Gupta↗

DOE OSTI2020

Scalable, resilient, and configurable permissioned blockchain fabric

With the advent of Bitcoin, the interest of the database community in blockchain systems has steadily grown. Many existing blockchain applications use blockchains as a platform for monetary transactions, however. We deviate from this philosophy and present ResilientDB, which can serve in a suite of non-monetary data-processing blockchain applications. Our ResilientDB uses state-of-the-art technologies and includes a novel visualization that helps in monitoring the state of the blockchain application.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

DOE OSTI2020

Building high throughput permissioned blockchain fabrics: challenges and opportunities

Since the introduction of Bitcoin---the first widespread application driven by blockchains---the interest in the design of blockchain-based applications has increased tremendously. At the core of these applications are consensus protocols that securely replicate client requests among all replicas, even if some replicas are Byzantine faulty. Unfortunately, these consensus protocols typically have low throughput, and this lack of performance is often cited as the reason for the slow wider adoption of blockchain technology. Consequently, many works focus on designing more efficient consensus protocols to increase throughput of consensus. We believe that this focus on consensus protocols only explains part of the story. To investigate this belief, we raise a simple question: Can a well-crafted system using a classical consensus protocol outperform systems using modern protocols? In this tutorial, we answer this question by diving deep into the design of blockchain systems. Further, we take an in-depth look at the theory behind consensus, which can help users select the protocol that best-fits their requirements. Finally, we share our vision of high-throughput blockchain systems that operate at large scales.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

DOE OSTI2019

Blockchain Smart Contracts for Transactive Energy Systems

This report demonstrates the impact of blockchain technology underlying a transactive energy system and articulates details and principle components of each of five stages in a transactive energy system. This report depicts the engineering requirements of a sample market system, blockchain features, and the relationship between those requirements and features (Section 2.2). Clear value propositions of blockchain features for transactive energy systems are: identity management, security of data, resiliency, decentralization and smart contract trustworthiness, performance, integrity in a trustless environment and access control. Due to the immutability afforded by blockchain architecture, increased data fidelity could potentially help detect targeted cyber-attacks and increase resiliency of grid integration. A distributed system can be more fault tolerant and enable transactive energy by supporting machine-to-machine transactions that can be integrated directly into complex grid operations without the need of trust in a third party. Energy auctions, and potentially registration processes, can be carried out according to transparent rules implemented as smart contracts (Section 4.0). In this current experiment, we ran a use-case/table-top exercise that imitated a real-time 5-min double auction market. The objective of this demonstration is to investigate the applicability of blockchain with transactive energy systems (Section 3.0).

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2021

Blockchain for Fault-Tolerant Grid Operations

Distribution system fault/failure has a direct impact on customers. Distribution systems are not designed with the contingency of one or more elements failing as the transmission system, however, distribution systems are more likely to have faults in comparison to transmission and generation systems. Most of the distribution systems have a radial design with the protection system assumption of unidirectional power flow. The radial design results in the disconnection of customers for any given component failure. The rapid deployment of distributed energy resources conflicts with the assumption of unidirectional power flow. To maintain/improve the distribution system fault tolerance for a grid with high penetration of distributed energy resources requires improvement. Blockchain can add value to improve fault-tolerant grid operations. That can be achieved using blockchain’s core features of distributed consensus-based decision-making process and immutability. In the process of preparing for an event or system restoration, there is a need for reliable data and system situational awareness. The system situational awareness enables accurate planning for possible scenarios and system restoration after an event, an area where blockchain’s distributed architecture can help. The value of blockchain for a fault-tolerant grid operation is elaborated with three use cases: 1) fault location, isolation, and service restoration; 2) topology identification; and 3) data configuration. These use cases demonstrate how blockchain-based architecture can facilitate bridging the vulnerabilities of the existing implementation.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2022

Minimizing Fraud in the Carbon Offset Market Using Blockchain Technologies

Fraud in the Environmental Benefit Credit (EBC) markets is pervasive. To make matters worse, the cost of creating EBCs is often higher than the market price. Consequently, a method to create, validate, and verify EBCs and their relevance is needed to mitigate fraud. The EBC market has focused on geologic (fossil fuel) CO 2 sequestration projects that are often over budget and behind schedule and has failed to capture the "lowest hanging fruit" EBCs - terrestrial sequestration via the agricultural industry. This project reviews a methodology to attain possibly the least costly EBCs by tracking the reduction of inputs required to grow crops. The use of bio- stimulant products, such as humate, allows a farmer to use less nitrogen without adversely affecting crop yield. Using less nitrogen qualifies for EBCs by reducing nitrous oxide emissions and nitrate runoff from a farmer's field. A blockchain that tracks the bio-stimulant material from source to application provides a link between a tangible (bio-stimulant commodity) and the associated intangible (EBCs) assets. Covert insertion of taggants in the bio-stimulant products creates a unique barcode that allows a product to be digitally tracked from beginning to end. This process (blockchain technology) is so robust, logical, and transparent that it will enhance the value of the associated EBCs by mitigating fraud. It provides a real time method for monetizing the benefits of the material. Substantial amounts of energy are required to produce, transport, and distribute agricultural inputs including fertilizer and water. Intelligent optimization of the use of agricultural inputs can drive meaningful cost savings. Tagging and verification of product application provides a valuable understanding of the dynamics in the water/food energy nexus, a major food security and sustainability issue. As technology in agriculture evolves so to must methods to verify the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) potential of innovative solutions. The technology reviewed provides the ability to combine blockchain and taggants ("taggant blockchains") as the engine by which to (1) mitigate fraudulent carbon credits; (2) improve food chain security, and (3) monitor and manage sustainability. The verification of product quality and application is a requirement to validate benefits. Recent upgrades to humic and fulvic quality protocols known as ISO CD 19822 TC134 offers an analytical procedure. This work has been assisted by the Humic Products Trade Association and International Humic Substance Society. In addition, providing proof of application of these products and verification of the correct application of prescriptive humic and bio-stimulant products is required. Individual sources of humate have unique and verifiable characteristics. Additionally, methods for prescription of site- specific agricultural inputs in agricultural fields are available. (See US Patents 734867B2, US 90658633B2.) Finally, a method to assure application rate is required through the use of taggants. Sensors using organic solid to liquid phase change nanoparticles of various types and melting temperatures added to the naturally occurring materials provide a barcode. Over 100 types of nanoparticles exist ensuring numerous possible barcodes to reduce industry fraud. Taggant materials can be collected from soil samples of plant material to validate a blockchain of humic, fulvic and other soil amendment products. Other non-organic materials are also available as taggants; however, the organic tags are biodegradable and safe in the environment allowing for use during differing application timeliness.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2024

Achieving Cyber-Resilience for Power Systems using a Learning, Model-Assisted Blockchain Framework

The secure integration and management of distributed energy resources (DER) and power aggregators in the electric grid requires secure communications and a physics-aware Command and Control (C2) strategy. A Blockchain (BC)-based overlay network was developed to provide a security layer for the existing power grid network that mitigates risks in current and legacy network and C2 protocols. By integrating a Model-Assisted Machine Learning (MAML) framework with a Secure Blockchain Overlay Network (SBON) a defense-in-depth strategy was achieved. In our approach, the MAML framework leveraged a smart contract framework to gather network data and learn the dynamics of DER to develop detection strategies for attacks targeting sensors and actuators used by DER. The MAML framework learned dynamical systems models for individual DERs to detect sensor attacks. For DER we utilized a Digital Twin (DT) to accelerate the learning process for a model resistant to stealthy attacks. The project created DT for PV inverters and BESS. The DTs were coupled with a model-assisted, data-driven learning of DER behavior. Specifically, we evaluated architectures for model-based learning with model-free fine-tuning. Additionally, differential privacy techniques were used to obfuscate data, while still allowing the computation of attack detection results based on obfuscated data. The SBON developed leverages a private permissioned blockchain network orchestrated with the Hyperledger Fabric framework. To connect the cyber world, which orchestrates the blockchain fabric, and the physical world where the power network resides, we developed a system implementation to enable the secure interaction of the physical world and the abstracted blockchain.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Exploring Blockchain to Support Open Science Practices

Open science aims to foster transparent sharing of scientific processes including open access, incentivization, provenance, open source code and tools, metrics, and resource sharing. However, effective management of these processes remains a challenge. This paper explores the application of blockchain technology to address these key aspects of open science. Blockchain offers a decentralized and secureplatform for information exchange and verification. By leveraging blockchain, open science can enhance transparency and reproducibility. In this paper, we present an implementation of blockchain for Earth science data synchronization across organizations, enabling tracking of data copying, citation, anddownload. The findings highlight the potential of blockchain in supporting open science objectives.

Iksha Gurung↗

DOE OSTI2017

Enhanced anti-counterfeiting measures for additive manufacturing: coupling lanthanide nanomaterial chemical signatures with blockchain technology

The significant rise of additive manufacturing (AM) in recent years is in part due to the open sourced nature of the printing processes and reduced cost and capital barriers relative to traditional manufacturing. However, this democratization of manufacturing spurs an increased demand for producers and end-users to verify the authenticity and quality of individual parts. To this end, we introduce an anti-counterfeiting method composed of first embedding engineered nanomaterials into features of a 3D-printed part followed by non-destructive interrogation of these features to quantify a chemical signature profile. The part specific chemical signature data is then linked to a securitized, distributed, and time-stamped blockchain ledger entry. To demonstrate the utility of this approach, lanthanide-aspartic acid nanoscale coordination polymers (Ln3+- Asp NCs) / poly(lactic) acid (PLA) composites were formulated and transformed into a filament feedstock for fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing. In the present case, a quick-response (QR) code containing the doped Ln3+-Asp NCs was printed using a dual-extruder FDM printer into pure PLA parts. The QR code provides a searchable reference to an Ethereum-based blockchain entry. The QR code physical features also serve as defined areas to probe the signatures arising from the embedded Ln3+-Asp NCs. Visible fluorescence emission with UV-excitation was quantified in terms of color using a smartphone camera and incorporated into blockchain entries. Ultimately, linking unique chemical signature data to blockchain databases is anticipated to make the costs of counterfeiting AM materials significantly more prohibitive and transactions between those in the supply chain more trustworthy.

Additive Manufacturing↗

DOE OSTI2020

Secure and Cost-Effective Micro Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU)-Like Metering for Behind-the-Meter (BTM) Solar Systems using Blockchain-Assisted Smart Inverters

Recently, there is increasing interest in using behind-the-meter (BTM) solar systems for grid services. However, providing visibility and operational situational awareness of BTM solar systems mainly operated by small-scale solar inverters is challenging due to the requirement of relatively expansive networked observation tools (e.g., micro phasor measurement units (µPMUs)) and consequent cybersecurity threats through networks. This paper presents a secure, cost-effective, µPMUs-like metering method using a blockchain-assisted smart (BAS) inverters for a BTM solar system. The proposed BAS inverter consisting of an internet of things device as a node of a local blockchain network enables the secure provision of inverter measurement data for grid services. The BAS inverter sends the encrypted local measurement data with a timestamp to a local blockchain miner. Once the blockchain miner generates a tamper-resistant metering ledger including the measurements, it is used to assess the situational awareness of the BTM solar system. The concept of the proposed metering using the BAS inverters is validated by experimental studies.

behind the meter↗

DOE OSTI2018

A Blockchain-Based Decentralized Data Storage and Access Framework for PingER

The blockchain is an innovative technology which opened doors to new applications for solving numerous problems in distributed environments. In this study, we design a blockchain-based data storage and access framework for PingER (worldwide end-to-end Internet performance measurement project) to remove its total dependence on a centralized repository. We use the permissioned blockchain and Distributed Hash Tables (DHT) for this purpose. In the proposed framework, metadata of the files are stored on the blockchain whereas the actual files are stored off-chain through DHT at multiple locations using a peer-to-peer network of PingER Monitoring Agents. Lastly, this will provide decentralized storage, distributed processing, and efficient lookup capabilities to the PingER framework.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

DOE OSTI2018

A Demonstration of Blockchain-Based Energy Transactions between Laboratory Test Homes

Current electricity payment mechanisms and accessible value streams are inhibiting innovation in energy markets that stand to enhance grid security and resilience and enable increased integration of distributed energy resources (DER). In the era of near-instantaneous settlement times brought about by blockchain technology, the unidirectional (customer --> utility) monthly settlement of the incumbent infrastructure appears arcane. The lack of an effective market interface for DER results in fewer value streams for customers, underutilized assets for utilities, and reduced opportunities for vendors/manufacturers. A secure, real-time energy market enabled by blockchain technology presents a transformative opportunity to unlock innovations in DER and integrated controls. Blockchain technology provides a compelling pathway to energy market evolution, however there are several challenges to be addressed, including: simultaneous exchange of currency and energy commodities, ensuring customer privacy, incorporating transmission/distribution losses in energy trading contracts. To address the first of these - commodity tracking - we have established peer-to-peer energy transactions between two test homes at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Our research architecture demonstrates integration with high-fidelity metering for commodity tracking, and integration with NREL's foresee(TM) controls platform which orchestrates building loads and DER to execute the energy contract. The digital currency Dash, which supports enhanced privacy features and instant transactions, is employed for transaction settlement. BlockCypher's blockchain-agnostic web services are used to provide future flexibility in integrating various payment and contract options. In this paper we describe the technology, the research methodology employed, and present results on transaction execution speed and compliance with energy trading contracts.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

DOE OSTI2020

Secure and Cost-Effective Micro Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU)-Like Metering for Behind-the-Meter (BTM) Solar Systems Using Blockchain-Assisted Smart Inverters: Preprint

Recently, there is increasing interest in using behind-the-meter (BTM) solar systems for grid services. However, providing visibility and operational situational awareness of BTM solar systems mainly operated by small-scale solar inverters is challenging due to the requirement of relatively expansive networked observation tools (e.g., micro phasor measurement units (uPMUs)) and consequent cybersecurity threats through networks. This paper presents a secure, cost-effective, uPMUs-like metering method using a blockchain-assisted smart (BAS) inverters for a BTM solar system. The proposed BAS inverter consisting of an internet-of-things device as a node of a local blockchain network enables the secure provision of inverter measurement data for grid services. The BAS inverter sends the encrypted local measurement data with a timestamp to a local blockchain miner. Once the blockchain miner generates a tamper-resistant metering ledger including the measurements, it is used to assess the situational awareness of the BTM solar system. The concept of the proposed metering using the BAS inverters is validated by experimental studies.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2020

IS BLOCKCHAIN A SUITABLE TECHNOLOGY FOR ENSURING THE INTEGRITY OF DATA SHARED BY LIGHTING AND OTHER BUILDING SYSTEMS?

Increasing amounts of data are available from lighting and other building systems. In commercial buildings, these data can be used to improve system and energy performance, detect and diagnose faults, and facilitate maintenance. Building data are not only of interest to owners and operators of the building systems, however. Owners and operators of similar buildings, manufacturers of building systems, utilities, and city agencies also have interesting use cases. Energy data can, for example, be used to verify the performance of energy-conservation measures, issue renewableenergy certificates, and financially settle grid services. Increased data sharing, however, significantly expands the cyber-attack surface, creating new challenges. In this work, blockchain is explored as an option for ensuring the integrity of data that are shared by lighting and other building systems. Blockchain fundamentals and variants are briefly reviewed, and value propositions relevant to building systems are discussed. A recently developed blockchain applicability framework (BAF) that builds upon and addresses the limitations of previous applicability models is also briefly reviewed. The BAF is used to assess the suitability of blockchain over other technologies or approaches for building-data applications, using emerging connected lighting systems as an example use case.

blockchain, connected lighting system, data integr↗

DOE OSTI2021

Blockchain-Enabled Cyber-Secure Microgrid Control Using Consensus Algorithm: Preprint

This paper proposes a distributed control method based on a consensus algorithm for distributed energy resources (DERs) using blockchain as a secure communication medium for cyber resilience. Each DER communicates with a local blockchain server that is maintained by the distributed ledger technology to allow for securely sharing local measurements among neighboring assets to achieve the global control objectives, i.e., voltage and frequency regulation as well as accurate power sharing among the DERs, including collective grid-forming capability. To prove that the distributed control can retain system stability under a blockchain-induced variable communication delay, Lyapunov function-based stability analysis is carried out. This paper demonstrates the concept on an 11-bus test case developed in MATLAB Simulink, which has been modified from the IEEE 9-bus test case, to study dynamic operations of the five inverter-based DERs working with a blockchain-induced variable delay. The results validate the superior performance of the proposed control method, compared to heavily compromised operations of the other test cases without the security measure, affected by heavy communication delays and communication interruptions.

blockchain↗

DOE OSTI2022

A Blockchain Based Co-Simulation Framework for Integrating DERs into Wholesale Electricity Markets

As the number of distributed energy resources (DERs) continue to increase across energy-delivery systems, there remains a need for integrating their capabilities into traditional grid operations. In this paper, a blockchain-based solution is proposed to facilitate FERC's Order No. 2222 implementations. The presented use-case enables small-scale DERs to participate in wholesale market operations through DER aggregators, while also enabling local distribution system operators to enforce distribution system constraints in a secure and traceable manner. The presented use case is built around the Unified Testing Platform (UTP) being developed as a part of the Blockchain for Optimized Security and Energy Management (BLOSEM) project. This is a multi-lab effort intended to simplify the deployment of blockchain-powered grid solutions by enabling the integration of simulation tools, and blockchain technologies through the use of system-agnostic interfaces that provide a modular, interoperable, and reusable connectivity layer.

blockchain testing↗