Impact analysis of false data injection attacks in transactive energy market-based micro-grid systems

Abstract

Transactive Energy Markets (TEMs) have emerged as a promising approach to balance the demand and supply dynamically across the grid using the increasing integration of distributed energy generation in the electric grid. TEM enables peer to peer (P2P) energy trading and brings flexibility by reducing users' demand in the grid. TEM has various components. Adversaries can target any market component and perform false data injection attacks (FDIAs) either by maliciously acting as a market participant or by exploiting their fragile security mechanism during energy trading. Hence, in this study, we present and evaluate two FDIAs where attackers (1) manipulate the requested flexibility through an attack into flexibility requesters (2) modify forecasting data by executing an FDIA over TEM users' smart devices during the flexibility and P2P market of TEM-based micro-grid systems. We analyze the impact of these attacks on the market operation, prosumers, and consumers by conducting computer simulations. The result shows that adversaries gain significant financial benefits while victims face economic losses. The result also indicates that attackers could severely impact market operations just by injecting a small false demand.