SBIR-STTR Award

The Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) is growing rapidly and is creating the need for a more decentralized and secure way to integrate (IoT) devices into Smartgrid and power plant control system infrastructure. Current centralized approaches are not able to adequately deal with the emerging Cybersecurity threats that are being created by the convergence of industrial control systems with the IoT. While Blockchain technologies are inherently Cybersecure none of the currently available blockchain technologies are suited to the unique technical requirements of IoT, power system-based IIoT networks, and SmartGrid applications. Current barriers of blockchain-based systems include: excessive blockchain transaction fees, scalability problems, and unacceptable latency issues. The problem is being addressed by the novel application of a modified blockchain architecture which supports blockchains native capability for cybersecure transactions between SmartGrid and IoT devices (sensor/actuator networks, power system controls, and distribution automation systems). The proposed novel platform approach solves the inherent limitations of Blockchain by modifying the architecture to enable cybersecure communications, protect integrity, authenticity, auditability, and consistency of all transactions as well as elimination of transaction fees, scalability, and latency issues. or the Phase 1 effort, Evolution7 Labs will build an innovative, proof-of-concept software platform called E-Blockchain™ which is built upon an enhanced blockchain layer to enable secure transaction and control applications within the SmartGrid or “Grid of Things” domain. We focus on applications that involve the integration of centralized and decentralized power plant control systems with Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) networks. The E-Blockchain software platform provides critical capabilities to (1) reduce the risk of Cybersecurity threats for power system-based IIoT networks, (2) increase SmartGrid reliability, (3) reduce power plant emissions, and (4) increase plant efficiencies. The E-Blockchain™ platform is designed to be scalable, resilient, secure, and resistant to quantum computer attacks which is well suited for power system-based IIoT networks. The product will be ready for commercial beta testing in Phase II of this SBIR project. Commercial applications include Cybersecurity-enhanced software applications to be integrated into existing power plant and industrial control system vendors such as General Electric, Siemens, OSISoft and ABB as well advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) vendors providing two-way communication between utilities and customers such as Itron, Silver Spring Networks, and others. Other applications include Energy Service Company vendors providing smart energy control systems to commercial and industrial customers and utility operators such as Stem, Tesla/Solar City, Blue Pillar, Enel, and Sempra Energy.

The Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) is growing rapidly and is creating the need for a more decentralized and secure way to integrate (IoT) devices into Smartgrid and power plant control system infrastructure. With an estimated 212 Billion sensor-enabled IoT devices to be deployed by 20201, these internet-connected devices will need to be managed differently than the current centralized approaches used today. Current centralized approaches are not able to adequately deal with the emerging Cybersecurity threats that are being created by the convergence of industrial control systems with the IoT. While Blockchain technologies can assist with creating trusted data, currently available blockchain technologies are not suited to the unique technical requirements of Industrial IoT, power system-based IIoT networks, and Cyber-Physical Systems. Current barriers of blockchain-based systems include: excessive transaction fees, scalability problems, and unacceptable latency issues. The problem is being addressed by the novel application of a modified blockchain-based software and Cybersecurity platform which supports cybersecure transactions between Power Systems and IoT devices (sensor/actuator networks, power system controls, and industrial Internet systems). The proposed novel platform approach solves the inherent limitations of Blockchain by modifying the architecture to enable scalable cybersecure communications, protect integrity, authenticity, auditability, and consistency of all transactions as well as elimination of transaction fees, scalability, and latency issues. We also add a 10-layer patent pending Entry-to-Endpoint™ Cybersecurity profile and our Taekion Platform. For Phase 2, Evolution7 Labs will commercialize the E-Blockchain™ software platform developed in Phase I. The Taekion platform and E-Blockchain application is the first softwaredefined Cybersecurity platform built on a Polychain (Blockchain) architecture that enables cybersecure exchange of information/value for Power Systems and Industrial IoT environments. The platform utilizes the Taekion™ Token for both Entry-to-Endpoint Security™ Validation and to enable microtransactions which could be simple information transfer or sophisticated low latency control commands. We designed the Taekion™ Platform using security-first principles to create a horizontal fabric (set of protocols and applications) needed to protect both Internet connected and offline systems (Cyber-Physical Systems, IoT Devices, and Endpoints) which is well suited for power system-based IIoT networks. The product will be ready for beta testing and commercialization in Phase II of this SBIR project.Commercial Applications and Other Benefits Commercial applications include Cybersecurity-enhanced software applications to be integrated into existing power plant and industrial control system vendors such as General Electric, Siemens, OSISoft and ABB. Other applications include Energy Company vendors providing smart energy control systems to commercial and industrial customers and utility operators.