review · Renewable energy focus
Growing populations and rising energy demands require more responsive energy hubs to improve infrastructure reliability and efficiency. The Internet of Things provides essential connectivity to create smart energy hubs, but connecting these devices directly to the internet exposes critical energy systems to severe cybersecurity risks. As more devices integrate into a hub, the vulnerability multiplies, meaning one compromised component could expose an entire energy network to threats capable of disrupting cities and causing economic damage. To counter these vulnerabilities, this review examines the underlying architecture and infrastructure of smart energy hubs alongside deployment challenges. It evaluates protective strategies and modern tools designed to reinforce cyber and physical resilience. Among these approaches, advanced data transmission methods using blockchain technology emerge as a promising solution to protect interconnected energy hubs from future cyber-physical disruptions.
Modernising energy networks with internet-connected sensors improves how power is distributed and consumed. However, because these systems control vital power supplies, cyberattacks on them can shut down municipal infrastructure. Identifying structural weaknesses and applying robust protective technologies helps prevent catastrophic outages and ensures reliable power delivery for growing communities.
This work informs developers of energy management platforms, grid security engineers, and energy utilities seeking to protect connected infrastructure. Potential applications focus on integrating blockchain-based secure data transmission to defend networked energy equipment. Because the review synthesises current architectural challenges and prospective countermeasures, the insights represent early-stage conceptual guidance rather than a market-ready software or hardware product.
AI-generated from the published abstract. Always read the original work before citing.
The 21 st century’s booming population and escalating energy demands have driven significant efforts to enhance the Energy Hub (EH). The goal is to create a more intelligent and responsive system that can effectively cater to consumer needs while simultaneously improving the reliability and efficiency of contemporary energy infrastructure. The Internet of Things (IoT) has emerged as a key enabling technology for Smart Energy Hubs (SEH). While IoT offers a plethora of innovative solutions across various sectors, including critical infrastructure, it also introduces new security challenges. Since IoT devices inherently connect to the internet, SEH systems become susceptible to a wider range of cyberattacks. This vulnerability heightens as the number of integrated IoT devices increases. A single compromised device can expose the entire hub to cyber threats. Such attacks on energy sources have the potential to cripple entire cities, resulting in significant economic devastation. Therefore, robust security measures must be implemented before the widespread adoption of IoT-based devices in energy systems. This research delves into the architecture and infrastructure of IoT-enabled SEH. Following this, the focus shifts to analyzing the primary challenges and security concerns associated with their deployment. Finally, the research emphasizes cutting-edge approaches and tools that can bolster the security and resilience of IoT-enabled SEH against contemporary physical and cyber threats. Implementing secure and advanced data transmission systems based on blockchain technology holds promise in safeguarding the entire EH from cyber-physical attacks in the future.
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DOI: 10.1016/j.ref.2024.100634
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