Energy theft detection using AMIDS and cryptographic protection in smart grids

Energy theft is one of the crucial concerns related to the Smart Grid implementation. Utility companies estimate a worldwide loss of nearby 25 billion dollars just due to energy theft. Smart grid revolution has further attracted malicious attacks and energy thefts. Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), a crucial component of the Smart Grid is increasingly vulnerable compared to traditional mechanical meters. In this paper, by adopting data fusion, an AMI intrusion Detection System (AMIDS) algorithm is carried out that merges the sensors and data from a smart meter to disclose any attack or energy theft precisely. To have information and system control from Smart Grid, smart meters are deployed at user's premises. When the attacker tries to steal energy from the grid, AMI (smart meter) detects the energy (packet) drop and thus we also implemented the cryptographic algorithm called Elliptical Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA), to secure our system. Our experimental results show improvement in throughput, having low latency, less energy consumption and higher efficiency of the systems.