MUSP: Multi-service, User Self-controllable and Privacy-preserving system for smart metering

This paper proposes a Multi-service, User Self-controllable and Privacy-preserving (MUSP) system for secure smart metering. This system has a number of novel properties. Firstly, it can report users' fine-grained consumption data to grid operators and suppliers securely and with user privacy preservation capability. These are achieved by using a homomorphic encryption technique in conjunction with selective data aggregation and distribution methods, so only the aggregated data are delivered to the authorised data recipients only on a need-to-know basis. Secondly, it allows suppliers to access their customers' attributable meter readings regularly. To protect users' privacy, suppliers, by default, can access new data only at a low frequency (e.g. once a month). However, MUSP allows users (1) to adjust (control) this frequency and (2) to release new data by demand (e.g. when change of tariff occurs), thus putting users' privacy preservation in their own hands. Thirdly, it is equipped with an easy and user friendly supplier switching facility to allow users to switch providers easily and conveniently. Security analysis and performance evaluation demonstrate that the MUSP system can protect users' privacy while providing these services in an efficient and scalable manner.