Interoperable device identification in Smart-Grid environments

Concepts for future energy networks envision the distribution of measurement and control infrastructures to the customers to allow for improved reactions to certain events in the energy grid and to ease the measurement process. Such a distribution of control functionalities requires a corresponding device on the customer side that performs or mediates between the energy grid requirements and the customer infrastructure. These Smart Energy Gateways (SEGs) are owned by the energy network operator and but enforce the contracts between network operator and customer for both parties. They can also support additional value-added services. Due to the different uses, SEGs will be exposed to more and other attacks than current end-user devices such as DSL or WLAN routers. The impact of attacks to SEGs is also a peril to the overall operation of the energy grid. This paper provides an approach to the reliable identification of SEGs based on already established industry standards, namely Trusted Computing and Trusted Network Connect.