Security of AMR system in HPP Perucica

Communication-based system for meter reading, specified as automatic meter reading (AMR) system is made to introduce improvements and benefits to the electricity companies. AMR changes the analog meters with informational systems that send data over digital communication interfaces, e.g., phone lines. This system is implemented in hydro power plant “Perucica” and supports the measuring concept for billing control of produced electrical energy. However, this kind of infrastructure brings new risks, as a security thread pertaining to energy meter data being modified during transmission. This paper covers the data security features within implemented C12.21ANSI (American National Standards Institute) and ICCP (Inter-Control Center Communications Protocol) and need for stronger security protocols. The paper also describes a primary proposed system solution (not implemented because of incompliant meters) that meets a need of application based standard called Data Language Messaging Specification/Companion Specification for Energy Metering (DLMS/COSEM) as the backhaul protocol for AMR.