Blockchain-based access control model for smart grids using peak hour and privilege level attributes (BACS-HP)

The increasing reliance on smart plugs and smart meters in modern electricity grids introduces significant security vulnerabilities, as unauthorized access can compromise grid reliability and stability. Traditional access control models are ill-suited for smart grids’ decentralized and dynamic nature. This paper introduces BACS-HP, a novel Blockchain-Based Access Control Model for Smart Grids that enhances security by incorporating privilege levels and peak hour attributes. Privilege levels prioritize access to critical devices during energy constraints, while the peak hour attribute enables adaptive decision-making to optimize energy allocation during periods of high demand. Unlike existing blockchain-based access control solutions, BACS-HP uniquely combines these context-aware attributes to provide fine-grained access control tailored to the specific needs of smart grids. The model leverages blockchain technology to ensure the secure and decentralized storage of access rights and enforces policies via smart contracts, mitigating single points of failure. Empirical results demonstrate that BACS-HP achieves low-latency security rule updates (between 42 ms and 46 ms), rapid access request processing (between 21 ms and 46 ms), and a high acceptance rate (60%) for critical devices during power outages, outperforming standard ABAC implementations in terms of responsiveness and prioritization. BACS-HP contributes to advancing access control mechanisms in smart grids and highlights the potential of blockchain to meet the security and performance demands of modern energy systems.