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At least 145 records · Page 8
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

A Review of Edge Computing Technology and Its Applications in Power Systems

Recent advancements in network-connected devices have led to a rapid increase in the deployment of smart devices and enhanced grid connectivity, resulting in a surge in data generation and expanded deployment to the edge of systems. Classic cloud computing infrastructures are increasingly challenged by the demands for large bandwidth, low latency, fast response speed, and strong security. Therefore, edge computing has emerged as a critical technology to address these challenges, gaining widespread adoption across various sectors. This paper introduces the advent and capabilities of edge computing, reviews its state-of-the-art architectural advancements, and explores its communication techniques. A comprehensive analysis of edge computing technologies is also presented. Furthermore, this paper highlights the transformative role of edge computing in various areas, particularly emphasizing its role in power systems. It summarizes edge computing applications in power systems that are oriented from the architectures, such as power system monitoring, smart meter management, data collection and analysis, resource management, etc. Additionally, the paper discusses the future opportunities of edge computing in enhancing power system applications.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2018

Situ: Identifying and Explaining Suspicious Behavior in Networks

Despite the best efforts of cyber security analysts, networked computing assets are routinely compromised, resulting in the loss of intellectual property, the disclosure of state secrets, and major financial damages. Anomaly detection methods are beneficial for detecting new types of attacks and abnormal network activity, but such algorithms can be difficult to understand and trust. Network operators and cyber analysts need fast and scalable tools to help identify suspicious behavior that bypasses automated security systems, but operators do not want another automated tool with algorithms they do not trust. Experts need tools to augment their own domain expertise and to provide a contextual understanding of suspicious behavior to help them make decisions. In this paper we present Situ, a visual analytics system for discovering suspicious behavior in streaming network data. Situ provides a scalable solution that combines anomaly detection with information visualization. The system's visualizations enable operators to identify and investigate the most anomalous events and IP addresses, and the tool provides context to help operators understand why they are anomalous. Finally, operators need tools that can be integrated into their workflow and with their existing tools. This paper describes the Situ platform and its deployment in an operational network setting. Furthermore, we discuss how operators are currently using the tool in a large organization's security operations center and present the results of expert reviews with professionals.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2025

Quantum Key Distribution Applicability to Smart Grid Cybersecurity Systems

To meet the increasing demand for electricity and to have a more reliable and resilient electric grid against conventional and extreme events, grid modernization is more crucial now than ever before. This will require the development and deployment of devices that provide advanced communication capabilities. The overall efficiency, reliability, and resilience of the smart grid will be inextricably linked to the exchange of information between these devices. Unfortunately, the increased information flow will increase the potential attack surface and introduce new vulnerabilities. While a smarter grid will depend critically on information flow, these benefits will be accrued only if that information can be protected. Nowadays, information is secured in smart grids primarily through cryptography. However, with the increasing number of sophisticated attacks as well as the increasing computational power, the security of the “classical” cryptographic algorithms is threatened. Quantum information science offers solutions to this problem, specifically quantum key distribution (QKD), which provides a means for the generation and secure distribution of symmetric cryptographic keys. The security of QKD stems ultimately from the very nature of quantum physics. In this paper, we investigate the applicability of QKD to the various smart grid sectors and specific use cases. We have identified 18 smart grid use cases of interest for QKD suitability together with 7 QKD factors used for the assessment of the various use cases. For each use case, the impact to security of the loss of confidentiality, integrity, and/or availability is specified. In addition, the suitability of QKD is assessed for each use case with respect to multiple factors.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2018

Rebooting Computers to Avoid Meltdown and Spectre

Security vulnerabilities such as Meltdown and Spectre demonstrate how chip complexity grew faster than our ability to manage unintended consequences. Here, attention to security from the outset should be part of the rememdy, yet complexity must be controlled at a more fundamental level.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2019

Quantum Computing and Cryptography: Analysis, Risks, and Recommendations for Decisionmakers

Some influential American policymakers, scholars, and analysts are extremely concerned with the effects that quantum computing will have on national security. Similar to the way space technology was viewed in the context of the US-Soviet rivalry in the Cold War, they view scientific advancement in quantum computing as a race with significant national security consequences and a part of the emerging US-China rivalry. It is claimed that the winner of this race will be able to thwart all the cryptographic efforts of the loser and gain unfettered access to any state secret of the losing government. Additionally, it is suggested that the winner will be able to protect their secrets with a higher level of security than contemporary cryptography guarantees at the moment. This paper argues that these three claims are considerably overstated, and that policymakers and scholars should shift focus to a different national security problem that quantum computing will create. Maintaining the long-term security of secret information secured by contemporary cryptographic protections, which will fail against an attack by a future quantum computer, is the predominant challenge needing attention. This paper takes a technically-informed approach to this issue. It first lays out the national security problems that are envisioned in much of the current discourse surrounding quantum computing. Then, it will assess the technical advantages that quantum computers will have over classical computers in the field of cryptography. Next, it will provide an explanation of the specific ways that the technical realities of quantum computing are inconsistent with the predominant areas of concern. Following, it will highlight the more pressing national security problem posed by quantum computing that the public discussion has, for the most part, missed. The piece will conclude with recommendations for how to mitigate this issue.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2019

An elementary optical logic circuit for quantum computing: a review

The classical computing has already done wonders with computation, however limitations on speed and security of transmitted information is endorsing novel computation techniques. Quantum computing is expected to resolve complex problems especially for unachievable speed with best possible secure communication. The logic gates for two Quantum bits (qubits) are one of the most important part of information processing in Quantum computing. Although photons are the best candidates for the processing of qubit but they need lots of nonlinear coupling to perform logic operations. Recent developments in the field of integrated optics showing promising signs for the development of Quantum networks and Quantum computation. In this article we have reviewed the technology of handling polarization encoded Qubit to perform logic operations and interconnections of logic circuits.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2019

Big data analytics in smart grids: state-of-the-art, challenges, opportunities, and future directions

Big data has a potential to unlock novel groundbreaking opportunities in the power grid sector that enhances a multitude of technical, social, and economic gains. The currently untapped potential of applying the science of big data for better planning and operation of the power grid is a very challenging task and needs significant efforts all-around. As power grid technologies evolve in conjunction with measurement and communication technologies, this results in unprecedented amount of heterogeneous big data sets from diverse sources. In particular, computational complexity, data security, and operational integration of big data into utility decision frameworks are the key challenges to transform the heterogeneous large dataset into actionable outcomes. Moreover, due to the complex nature of power grids along with the need to balance power in real time, seamless integration of big data into utility operations is very critical. In this context, big data analytics combined with grid visualization can lead to better situational awareness and predictive decisions. This paper presents a comprehensive state-of-the-art review of big data analytics and its applications in power grids, and also identifies challenges and opportunities from utility, industry, and research perspectives. The paper analyzes research gaps and presents insights on future research directions to integrate big data analytics into electric utility decision framework. Detailed information for utilities looking to apply big data analytics and details insights on how utilities can enhance revenue streams and bring disruptive innovation in the industry are discussed. More importantly, general guidelines for utilities to make the right investment in the adoption of big data analytics by unveiling interdependencies among critical infrastructures and operations are also provided.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Finding MIDDLE Ground: Scalable and Secure Distributed Learning

Edge computing methods allow devices to efficiently train a high-performing, robust, and personalized model for predictive tasks. However, these methods succumb to privacy and scalability concerns such as adversarial data recovery and expensive model communication. Furthermore, edge computing methods unrealistically assume that all devices train an identical model. In practice, edge devices have varying computational and memory constraints which may not allow certain devices to have the space or speed to train a specific model. To overcome these issues, we propose MIDDLE: a model independent distributed learning algorithm which allows heterogeneous edge devices to assist each other’s training while communicating only non-sensitive information. MIDDLE unlocks the ability for edge devices, regardless of computational or memory constraints, to assist each other even with completely different model architectures. Furthermore, MIDDLE does not require model or gradient communication which greatly reduces communication size and time. We prove that MIDDLE attains the optimal convergence rate O(1/sqrt(TM)) of stochastic gradient descent for convex and non-convex smooth optimization (for total iterations T and batch size M). Finally, our experimental results demonstrate that MIDDLE (even in non-IID data settings) attains robust and high-performing models without model or gradient communication.

Bornstein, Marc I.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Cyber Infrastructure for the Smart Electric Grid

As electric power systems undergo a transformative upgrade with the integration of advanced technologies to enable the smarter electric grid, professionals who work in the area require a new understanding of the evolving complexity of the grid. Cyber Infrastructure for the Smart Electric Grid delivers a comprehensive overview of the fundamental principles of smart grid operation and control, smart grid technologies, including sensors, communication networks, computation, data management, and cyber security, and the interdependencies between the component technologies on which a smart grid's security depends. The book offers readers the opportunity to critically analyze the smart grid infrastructure needed to sense, communicate, compute, and control in a secure way.

communication networks↗
DOE OSTI2015

2015 HPC Annual Report

Center 9300 is very proud to provide a wide range of computing and networking resources ranging from desktop support to high performance computing that enable Sandia’s national security mission needs. Our goal is to provide these services in the most efficient, secure, user friendly, and agile means necessary. High performance computing is one example of how we are delivering on this goal. Thanks to investments from NNSA’s Advanced Simulation and Computing program, coupled with Sandia’s Institutional Computing program, a wide variety of computing resources are available and used to support national security needs. This year we are expanding our high performance computing infrastructure with the procurement of institutional resources for information computing or analytics. Big data analytics has been the buzzword in the computing industry for over a decade now and industries in finance, food and drug, business, and security organizations have been leading the charge. Much like how scientific computing has changed the way science and engineering are performed, data analytics is changing just about every aspect of our lives and more especially our ability to contribute to the national security mission of Sandia. This third edition of our HPC Annual Report continues our commitment to communicate the details and impact of Sandia’s large-scale computing resources that support missions work across Sandia. The Laboratories’ and NNSA’s strategic investments in high performance computing demonstrate our commitment to keeping mission-related research on the cutting edge of science, at pace with technology advances, and at a scale that meets the toughest demands of the nation we so proudly serve.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2025

Final Technical Report

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2023

Verifying the Computational Integrity of Power Grid Controls with Zero-Knowledge Proof

The control of future power grids is migrating from a centralized to a distributed/decentralized scheme to enable a massive penetration of distributed energy resources with rising dependence on communication infrastructure. A common assumption made for most existing distributed/decentralized controllers is that local controllers would faithfully follow the designated controller dynamics based on the data received from communication channels. However, with increased probability of cyberattacks on Operational Technology infrastructure, such an assumption could be risky because proper execution of the controller dynamics is then built on trust in secure communication and computation. In this work, we leverage a cryptography technology known as zero-knowledge scalable transparent arguments of knowledge (zk-STARK) to verify the computational integrity of power grid control algorithms, with projected linear dynamics-based control schemes as the initial proof-of-concept test case. The method presented here converts the cybersecurity challenge of data integrity for grid control into a subset of computational integrity.

computational integrity↗
DOE OSTI2025

A Typology of Quantum-Classical Faults

This paper introduces an extended taxonomy of faults specific to hybrid quantum-classical systems, addressing the unique challenges that arise from integrating quantum accelerators into high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructures. Building on the foundational fault classification by Avizienis et al., we incorporate fault types unique to quantum computing-such as qubit decoherence, spontaneous gate errors, and photon loss-alongside traditional and human-induced faults including development errors, operational mistakes, and malicious attacks. Our taxonomy classifies faults by their origin (natural vs. human-made), intent (accidental, deliberate non-malicious, or malicious), system boundaries (internal vs. external), and persistence (transient to permanent). We also explore how different architectural integration patterns-ranging from tight coupling to loose on-premise and cloud-based configurations-shape the manifestation and propagation of faults. These scenarios are analyzed in terms of timing mismatches, interface inconsistencies, and security threats such as data tampering and denial-of-service attacks. Through this fault-centric lens, we aim to support the co-design of dependable quantum-classical systems and highlight the critical role that integration strategies play in ensuring reproducibility, resilience, and security across hybrid computing platforms.

Giusto, Edorado [University of Naples Federico II,↗
DOE OSTI2014

Implementation of a Bayesian Engine for Uncertainty Analysis

In probabilistic risk assessment, it is important to have an environment where analysts have access to a shared and secured high performance computing and a statistical analysis tool package. As part of the advanced small modular reactor probabilistic risk analysis framework implementation, we have identified the need for advanced Bayesian computations. However, in order to make this technology available to non-specialists, there is also a need of a simplified tool that allows users to author models and evaluate them within this framework. As a proof-of-concept, we have implemented an advanced open source Bayesian inference tool, OpenBUGS, within the browser-based cloud risk analysis framework that is under development at the Idaho National Laboratory. This development, the “OpenBUGS Scripter” has been implemented as a client side, visual web-based and integrated development environment for creating OpenBUGS language scripts. It depends on the shared server environment to execute the generated scripts and to transmit results back to the user. The visual models are in the form of linked diagrams, from which we automatically create the applicable OpenBUGS script that matches the diagram. These diagrams can be saved locally or stored on the server environment to be shared with other users.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗
DOE OSTI2015

What is the current state of the science of Cyber defense?

My overall sense of the cyber defense field is one of an adolescent discipline currently bogged down in a cloud of issues, the most iconic of which is the great diversity of approaches that are being aggregated to form a coherent field. Because my own expertise is complex systems and materials physics research, I have limited direct experience in cyber security sciences except as a user of secure networks and computing resources. However, in producing this report, I have found with certainty that there exists no calculus for cyber risk assessment, mitigation, and response, although some hopeful precepts toward this end are emerging.

Computer Science↗