TECNALIA and its partner Elewit are working together on quantum communications to develop an ultra-secure Smart Grid
TECNALIA, the largest centre for applied research in Spain, is working with its partner Elewit, Redeia's technology platform, on the new quantum paradigm to achieve full cyber-protection for smart grids
Elewit, Redeia's technology platform, and TECNALIA, have been researching ground-breaking QKD (Quantum Key Distribution) technologies as the basis for ultra-secure communications in smart grids within the framework of a collaboration in innovation. They use photonics to transmit and process data by taking advantage of existing substation infrastructures.
It is an emerging technology that is beginning to be deployed both on physical media - using fibres - and in open space - for atmospheric or space-based laser communications. However, limitations in terms of the robustness of current systems, the ability to generate keys with sufficient agility, the format or form factor of the equipment, the type of point-to-point communication, and other specific limitations to this approach, mean it is still under development. The application of these technologies in real environments is therefore still very limited and practically non-existent in industrial contexts. Hence the innovative nature of this collaboration.
In this sense, Sara Lázaro, Communications Partner at Elewit, indicates that "as Redeia's technological platform, we are committed to disruptive technologies that could change the way we secure our communications in the future, making them much more robust and reliable".
Quantum computing for specific mathematical problems
One of the first consequences of developing computing power and emerging new paradigms, such as the potential supremacy of quantum computing for certain mathematical problems, is that new alternative mechanisms are being created to protect information.
Some of the most widely-used encryption methods in today's communications systems are based on making it difficult to find the keys with current processing technologies. “However, quantum approaches have demonstrated that this difficulty can potentially be solved with sufficiently powerful quantum machines,”notes Alejandra Ruiz, head of QKD experiments in Smart Grid, “finding new methods to reduce vulnerability is therefore vital to achieving intrinsically secure networks”.
TECNALIA's experimental QKD equipment
QKD technology that uses the properties of the quantum non-cloning phenomenon and a number of classical communication protocols has been experimented with to exchange symmetric encryption keys between two points with the guarantee that they have not been observed by a potential attacker. Exchanging this kind of keys is not vulnerable, regardless of the adversary's computing power and the platform used.
Work teams from both entities have used TECNALIA's experimental QKD equipment to carry out quantum key exchange tests on the communications equipment and infrastructure managed by Reintel, the largest provider of dark fibre optics in Spain, at the electrical grid substation. They are testing different distances, speeds and key sizes, and experimenting with potential attacks. These experiments contribute to developing the technological pillars towards the vision of a secure communication infrastructure that protects the economy and society from cyber threats.
About Elewit
It is Redeia's technological platform. Born in 2019 with the purpose of offering solutions to the new challenges of the electricity and telecommunications sectors. With one goal: to drive the energy transition and connectivity to create a sustainable future.
About TECNALIA
Our mission is to transform technological research into prosperity and build a better world through R&D&I, increasing the positive impact of our activity in different dimensions, such as economic, scientific-technological, social and environmental.
In the field of quantum technologies, we are developing new solutions for computing, communications and detection which make use of matter manipulation to take advantage of the properties of quantum mechanics, and which will progressively create a new generation of infrastructures to operate society in the near future.
