2021 R&D 100 Award for QED: Quantum Ensured Defense of the Smart Electric Grid

Prize: Honorary award

Description

Scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory and ORNL have sought to escape the ongoing attack-defend cycle of cybersecurity breeches by developing a new method for protecting information called Quantum Ensured Defense, or QED.

Based on cutting-edge quantum science and network security, QED uses quantum communications in an effort to protect power grid control signals from third-party infiltration.

The technology harnesses single particles of light, or photons, to distribute cryptographic keys that can be used to lock control signals into secret codes. This novel method brings the security assurances of quantum communication systems to long-haul distances of electric grid systems.

The team has demonstrated the operational use of QED on commercial systems in Los Alamos, New Mexico, and Oak Ridge and Chattanooga in Tennessee.

This project is part of a larger collaboration including industry partner Qubitekk with Duncan Earl and Patrick Swingle.

Funding for this project was provided by DOE’s Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response.

ORNL’s Muneer Alshowkan, Philip Evans and Nicholas Peters partnered with LANL’s Raymond Newell, Claira Safi and Justin Tripp and EPB’s Steve Morrison to develop the technology.

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