‘Smart Grid’ Raises Security Concerns
http://mobile.washingtonpost.com/detail.jsp?key=417211&rc=tech&p=1&all=1
The Washington Post
‘Smart Grid’ Raises Security Concerns
By Brian Krebs
Updated: Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Electric utilities vying for $3.9 billion in new federal “smart grid” grants will need to prove that they are taking steps to prevent cyberattacks as they move to link nearly all elements of the U.S. power grid to the public Internet.
The requirements from the Energy Department come amid mounting concern from security experts that many existing smart-grid efforts do not have sufficient built-in protections against computer hacking, such as new “smart meters” that put information about consumers’ power use onto the Internet, grid-management software and other equipment.
The smart-grid spending in the federal stimulus package is intended to create jobs and improve the efficiency and reliability of the electricity grid by lowering peak demand, reducing energy consumption, integrating more renewable energy sources and easing the pressure to build new coal-fired power plants.
Many of those efficiency gains will be made possible by new technology being built on top of the existing power grid, such as smart meters, which provide real-time feedback on power consumption patterns and levels. An estimated 8 million smart meters are used in the United States today, and more than 50 million more could be installed in at least two dozen states over the next five years, according to the Edison Foundation’s Institute for Electric Efficiency.
Yet security researchers have found that these devices often are the weakest link in the smart-grid chain. Smart meters give consumers direct access to information about their power usage and the ability to manage that usage over the Web, but that two-way communication also opens up the possibility that the grid could be attacked from the outside. Many such systems require little authentication to carry out key functions, such as disconnecting customers from the power grid.
Indeed, at this week’s Black Hat, the world’s largest cybersecurity conference held annually in Las Vegas, researchers from IOActive of Seattle are slated to demonstrate a computer worm that spreads by taking advantage of the software update feature built into a prevalent brand of smart meters (IOActive is not disclosing which). The worm could in theory give the attackers who launched it the ability to very quickly sever tens of thousands of homes from the smart grid.
Joshua J. Pennell, IOActive president and chief executive, said he hopes the presentation will serve as a wake-up call for smart-grid technology vendors and the companies purchasing the products.
Federal grants for smaller smart-grid projects range from $300,000 to $20 million, while the federal share of funds for larger projects could be as much as $200 million. The Energy Department says it can reject any grant application that does not demonstrate that ensuring cybersecurity will be a top priority.
“We haven’t described how to address the requirements, because we’re trying to leave the door to innovation open,” said Hank Kenchington, a senior manager with the Energy Department’s Office of Electric Delivery and Energy Reliability. “But we do say — even if an award scored ‘A’ grades on all aspects but doesn’t address cyber — we reserve right to not go forward with that grant. We realize you need to ask for the security up front and have it built-in up front, or you’re going to end up paying for it later.”
Photo: By David Zalubowski — Associated Press
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My Letter to the Editor:
The July 28th article on the security concerns of the proposed Smart Grid system raised legitimate issues regarding the feasibility of allowing remote control of our power grid. However there are additional potential problems with the smart grid system.
Some of these are:
Today’s meters use very little energy and are inexpensive. The new meters have a substantially higher cost and use more energy to run. In addition, the best way to reduce energy use is to simply switch off appliances when not in use. We can already install programmable timers on our appliances. Do we really need to have another appliance to assist us with this?
Who is paying for this added infrastructure? The stimulus funds come directly from the taxpayers. So we pay to install the system and then what? Do we then pay even higher rates to maintain this more expensive system? The maintenance of the meters, the greatly expanded data storage needs and the energy used by the new meters will all add to the cost of our energy system.
And finally, the increased wireless radiation from the new meters as well as from sending the signals over the power grid will cause an overall increase of radio frequency radiation (RFR) in our environment. Sending broadband over power lines effectively turns the power lines into RFR antennas which causes interference with electronic devices and radio communications and with our electrobiological bodies.
I, and millions of other electrosensitive people, have to go to great lengths to minimize our exposure to RFR just to keep functioning. If I am forced to have a wireless meter in my home and to live near power lines that radiate RFR, I will have no safe refuge. Many of us have already been forced to move from homes that had high levels of RFR due to neighboring communications antennas and/or WiFi and DECT phone RFR emissions. While it is estimated that 3% of the population is electrosensitive these numbers are predicted to grow as the levels of RFR exposure increase. Will the installation of the smart grid lead to an even higher population of people who are disabled due to RFR exposure?
These issues must be addressed before the wide-scale installation of the Smart Grid begins.
Angela Flynn
Wireless Radiation Alert Network
WRAN
301-229-0282
FAX 301-229-4752
RF emissions from energy efficient fluorescent lighting
RF emissions from energy efficient fluorescent lighting
Conventional tungsten filament lamps are entirely without radio frequency emissions, except in rare fault conditions. However, because they are inefficient, the UK government is promoting use of energy efficient alternatives in support 
of its climate change policy. These include energy efficient fluorescent lamps, which produce high levels of RF interference.
For a fluorescent tube to operate at high frequency an electronic switching ballast is required. A typical operating frequency for an electronic ballast would be in the region of 20kHz to 40kHz. The high frequency ballast is essentially a switching power supply and has the potential for radiofrequency interference in the same way as any switched mode power supply. Dimming is achieved by reducing the power applied to the fluorescent tube. In order to maintain the discharge, the frequency of operation must increase as the light output level is decreased. Thus a typical electronic ballast which operates at around 30kHz for maximum light output will supply the lamp at increasing frequencies up to approximately 100kHz for minimum light output.
Measurements of sample lamps have shown that electronic ballasts can cause an increase in interference in long wave and medium wave bands to portable radio receivers. The minimum distance of a radio receiver to the lighting samples for good reception varied between samples. Of particular interest was the interference to AM services from the dimming ballast. Because the fundamental ballast operating frequency alters as the lamp is dimmed, so interference to individual radio stations depends upon the light output level of the unit. For example at maximum dimming (minimum light output) the second harmonic of the lamp operating frequency fell at the same frequency as BBC Radio 4 Long Wave (198kHz) and so reception of this station at maximum dimming was considerably worse than the reception for other long wave stations.
Moreover, VHF band 2 FM radio reception can be affected by electronic ballasted fluorescent lamps with batten type fittings. Modern lighting technologies and techniques do give rise to significant emissions in the VHF band. In practice these emissions are seen to be limited to an upper frequency of less than 300MHz at present, but since the EMC standard for lighting (CISPR 15) gives no tests above 30MHz, these emissions are effectively uncontrolled by any legislation.
Commentary
Switching power converters are a frequent source of RF emission problems, and those used in lighting products are no exception. In this case, the problem is compounded because fluorescent lamps are found in large numbers in many buildings and it is hard to find a location far enough away from them; and the price pressure on such products works against best practice in design to minimise emissions. Because of their dimensions, batten-type fittings will radiate effectively at VHF, and efficient switching ballasts will quite cheerfully generate energy at these frequencies. Since (at present) the relevant standards give no protection above 30MHz, the pollution is likely to get worse as more and more energy-efficient but RF-polluting lamps are installed.
References and links
Development of improved test methods for assessing the EMC emissions from luminaires and ancillary devices, York EMC Services, Radiocommunications Agency Project AY4125, March 2002: available from http://www.radio.gov.uk/topics/research/topics.htm#emc/
Microwave-powered light bulbs could stop satellite broadcasts
Description
Sirius Satellite Radio Inc., is complaining that the microwave powered bulbs manufactured by Fusion Lighting Inc., will directly interfere with satellite radio broadcasts. Their year-long battle has seen them engage in debate before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), a private testing laboratory in Columbia, MD, and in the near future, it appears, in courtrooms in Texas and Maryland.
Fusion says that it’s now about a year away from commercial sales of the bulbs for use in lighting applications as diverse as gas stations and airport runways. The lights invoke the prospect of highways being lit up at night by hundreds of microwave bulbs which could, claim their opponents, affect the satellite broadcasts assigned to the same frequencies.
Commentary
Even a small amount of accidental ‘leakage’ from electronic devices can be a problem if it occurs at the same frequency as a satellite downlink, because the signal strength at the satellite receiver is very weak.
When the ‘leaky’ devices are intended (as these are) to be used in their thousands over large geographical areas, two problems arise… firstly, there is a greater chance that one or more of them will be near to a satellite receiver, and secondly the ‘ensemble effect’ of the emissions from a large number of devices can have a stronger effect on a receiver than any of the devices on its own.
References and links
“Bulb manufacturer light up spectrum wars”, Conformity, Vol. 6 No. 10, October 2001, ‘News Breaks’ section. http://www.conformity.com
The Missing Secrets of Nikola Tesla, learn about frequencies
This 46 minute video is worth the watch ONLY if you are seriously interested in the history of energy, specifically the part Nikoli Tesla had in it before and after his inventions in the US.
Workshop on EMF and Health: Science and Policy
Workshop on EMF and Health: Science and Policy to address public concerns,
Brussels, 11-12 February 2009
Venue: Auditorium, Breydel Building, Avenue d’Auderghem 45, 1040 Brussels
- Programme
- List of participating organisations Presentations
Session 1 – The current EU regulatory framework
- The current EU precautionary approach on EMF: Council Recommendation 1999/519/EC (410KB)
L. Bontoux
Health and Consumers Directorate General, European Commission - The role of standards in product safety: products and equipment emitting EMF (210KB)
P. Chadwick
CENELEC - Exposure of Workers to EMF in the European Union: Challenges and state of play (225KB)
G. Herbillon
Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities Directorate General, European Commission - From scientific advice to safety in the EU product legislation (415KB)
M. Bogers
Enterprise and Industry Directorate General, European Commission
Session 2 – The latest assessments
- Conclusions of the BioInitiative Report (1MB)
M. Kundi
BioInitiative Organizing Committee - Health Effects of Exposure to EMF (85KB)
M.-O. Mattsson
Member of SCENIHR – WG on EMF - The view from a broad European scientific consortium: the EMF-NET conclusions (250KB)
P. Ravazzani
Institute of Biomedical Engineering, the National Research Council in Milan
Session 3 – Comparing assessment approaches
- The EMF-NET Methodology and Interpretation of Evidence (350KB)
G. d’Inzeo
University “Sapienza” of Rome – Italy - The BioInitiative Methodology (530KB)
M. Kundi
BioInitiative Organizing Committee - Epidemiology in EMF- Research Strength and Limitations (145KB)
J. Olsen
UCLA - The SCENIHR Assessment on EMF – Methodology (110KB)
M.-O. Mattsson
Member of SCENIHR – WG on EMF - The SCENIHR Assessment on EMF (275KB)
J. Schüz
Member of SCENIHR – WG on EMF - The View from ICNIRP (400KB)
Paolo Vecchia
ICNIRP
Session 4 – Positions from the stakeholders
- Why people are worried about EMF: a UK perspective (200KB)
E. O’Connor
UK Radiation Research Trust - EMF: Specific issues related to the workplace (85KB)
M. Sapir
European Trade Union Institute - Health, Information and Good Practice (1MB)
A. Freeman
GSMA Europe - Health & Environment Alliance (320KB)
C. Farrar-Hockley
Health & Environment Alliance - International EMF Policy Developments (145KB)
M. Milligan
Mobile Manufacturers Forum - EMF Risk Communication Five Cardinal Rules (1.5MB)
P. Wiedemann
Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH - EMF: Evaluating Evidence and Use of the Precautionary Principle (870KB)
D. Gee
European Environment Agency
EMF Pollution And Its Potential Health Risks
Urgently creating the key to harmonizing the world
In the European Journal of Cancer Prevention [5(3):153-158, 1996.] Roger Coghill wrote about the link between electric field exposure and a number of childhood diseases, such as asthenia, headache, depressive illness, and other non-cancer conditions.
The possible association between EMF exposure and childhood leukemia has been indicated by a number of epidemiologic studies. In a more general sense, there are many studies which suggest that EMF can have an effect on various components of the immune system, in some cases activating reactions and in other cases suppressing an immune system response.
Larger scale studies have examined an association between presumed magnetic field exposure and childhood leukemia and recently there has been renewed interest in electric fields as a risk factor, especially in the UK.
Global TV 16:9 news on CFLs & Dirty Electricity
Dirty Energy and Compact Florescent Bulbs / Lights
“this is reading 580 roughly, so once again we have a really bad bulb”
What is she doing? Well this is Dr. Magda Havas, she’s testing all sorts of bulbs for dirty electricity.
Dirty what?
Dirty electricity.
An expert in her field, basically she measures power quality and radio frequencies that different bulbs give off.
“you see that that has jumped up over 400, so just one light bulb can give very high readings, and there’s no way of knowing that this is worse than the others by just by looking at the package”
She says on her meter for a bulb to be considered clean – it should read less than 50.
“so one light bulb gives 500 can you imagine just four of them, that would put them over to 2000, can I turn it off now?”
“a lot of people are responding negatively to these light bulbs. They get headaches; they get other body aches and pains. Some of them have difficulty sleeping they’re tired, some have mood disorders”
All this is controversial – scientists do not agree if people can suffer from what’s called electromagnetic hype sensitivity. Basically getting sick from the electronic devices we use – and the stuff they give off.
But what about the people we met who say they’re suffering – like Larry Newman.
“I was blindsided by it” here’s the thing about Larry Newman – he’s Doctor Newman – a neurologist. And that migraine headache hit him like a truck.
“I can tell you from my experience there’s something about those bulbs that triggered my headaches”
((green bulbs)) at his new York clinic – he’s seeing more and more patients complaining about the compact florescent light bulbs.
“these new light bulbs doc I swear they’re giving me headaches” He knows some will dismiss what he’s saying – they’ll say there’s no scientific evidence linking the bulbs to headaches.
“I can tell you from other patients they definitely see a relationship to exposure to that light bulbs and developing a headache”
One of those patients is Amanda Gabbard.
“right here my forehead feels very warm. and I feel a dull pain behind my eyes, a little bit of dizziness and fatigue” In her home you’ll only find old fashioned incandescents. She got rid of the CFL’s.
“very shocking I am very confused by it. I don’t really understand it, I just know I have to get away from them. so, it’s kind of mind boggling I mean it’s just a light bulb what can it really do, isn’t it supposed to be this great thing … everyone’s doing it” And she can’t escape it, when she took a trip to Italy and stayed in his hotel – her room was loaded with the curly bulbs – instantly she knew.
“and I thought oh no I came all the way to Europe to have this wonderful vacation and it’s going to be ruined”
” we had to take them out immediately “
Dr. Christine Lay – a neurologist and headache expert says people like Amanda prove it is happening – and science needs to catch up.
“I think a lot of times things are introduced and then it’s the people that will being to say, no wait a minute something’s going on here, something’s not right here. So we hope as more people speak up, more scientists will begin to become involved”
Health Canada says ‘yes’ its true CFL’s give off radio frequencies but claim the levels are safe and thousands of times below limits that have been recommended. The lighting companies say their bulbs meet industry standards and are safe. Again, no one would talk to us on camera.
“And Health Canada has a serious responsibility. And they’re not living up to that responsibility. They’re right now just trying to deny that there is a problem without recognizing what they should be doing to actually investigate it rather than just deny it blindly”
Those who suffer say their health problems are real – and there more to it than just headaches
“they were all throughout my house almost every room had a bulb in it” Kevin Byrne says his pain was like having arthritis - so convinced dirty electricity is, well, dirty, he quit his job to test other people’s homes for what he calls electrical pollution – starting with the curly bulbs.
You get closer to the bulb and you can see the significant electrical fields then compared to fluorescent now electricity is going through you body and into ground.
“I know there are a lot of people who are having adverse reaction to them headaches, fatigues, and the chronic pain that I felt”
Magda has heard it all before…the doubts…questioning whether they’re really sick.
“well there’s definitely something there., if you have them in your home, simply turn them off for a few days and find out if your symptoms disappear”
Ok let’s review UV, headaches, skin problems, and of course mercury. The old inefficient light bulbs are being banned in 2012. Manufactures are scrambling to create new ones – the best choice for the future may be these – LED’s – light emitting diodes – no mercury. No health concerns. And WAY more efficient than the curly bulbs. But right now it’s compact fluorescents.
Its reading 27 it doesn’t contribute to dirty electricity at all “they’re doing it for all the right reason, but unfortunately they haven’t been told that these light bulbs in their homes might be making -people sick”
Can Electrical Appliances Harm Your Health?
Published by The Healthier Life February 12, 2009
Imagine there’s an invisible pollutant that is affecting all of us. Imagine we all contribute to this pollution on a daily basis by simply watching television or using other appliances or driving our cars. Imagine that this pollution can contribute to diseases such as Diabetes, Cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.
Imagine there’s an invisible pollutant that is affecting all of us. Imagine we all contribute to this pollution on a daily basis by simply watching television or using other appliances or driving our cars. Imagine that this pollution can contribute to diseases such as Diabetes, Cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.
Okay, what am I talking about? Ever heard of electromagnetic fields (EMF), or electromagnetic radiation (EMR)?
Over the next few weeks, I will take a look at EMF Pollution which has been hailed as the ‘Hidden Illness’.
Consider the following:
Never before in the history of mankind have people lived in environments so laden with EMF Pollution. The average person is exposed to over 100 million times more radiation than their grandparents. With the arrival of cell phones, cell phone towers, blackberries and Wifi, the amount of electromagnetic frequencies bombarding the average individual is higher than ever, prompting scientists to label our generation as EMF guinea pigs.
Why pollution?
Almost all electrical and mechanical appliances radiate EMFs or EMR. EMFs are made up of two things: electrical fields and magnetic fields and these fields emit energy waves. Energy waves get transmitted through the air to all kinds of receivers – mobile phones, laptops, computers, antennas etc. Think about this: In a world where the average car emits more EMRs than a chest X-ray, EMF Protection has become a necessity.
So how does this work exactly?
There are two types of EMF:
1. Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF), which are generated by electrical appliances and power lines
2. Radiofrequency radiation (RF), which is most commonly used to transmit wireless signals (and you know how much of that is around theses days…), such as mobile phones, broadcast transmission towers and cordless phones.
Dirty electricity
Almost all electrical currents are generated at 60 Hz, but high voltage changes can contaminate the 60Hz transmission frequency causing an excess of ‘dirty electricity’ that exposes all of us to high-frequency radiation. So what is the threat all about? It is important to realize that all ‘chaotic’ non-biological electricity is a threat to our physical, emotional and mental health.
Just as some people are more resilient against airborne pollution and diseases than others, the same can be said about the symptoms associated with electrical pollution. However, long-term exposure that does not lead to immediate symptoms can still result in increasing physiological side effects and symptoms that may ultimately cause serious disease. Every person is affected by electrical pollution, but some people are more sensitive, less resilient and therefore more vulnerable to health problems associated with high EMF pollution.
My colleague Dr. Jonathan V. Wright has just written an extensive article on the dangers of EMF Pollution in the monthly newsletter, Nutrition and Healing.
Over the following weeks, I will take a closer look at the threat of EMF pollution as well as measures that we all can take to protect ourselves against it.
Sources:
‘EMF Protection: Do You Need EMF Protection From EMF Pollution?’ by Rebecca Moon, published online 10/09/07, learnaboutemfs.com
‘Sources of Electrical Pollution’ published online, ecopolitan.com
‘Nine ways to protect yourself from the new pollution more deadly than lead poisining’, by Dr. Jonathan V. Wright, published January 2009, Nutrition and Healing vol 3. Issue 1
‘Wi-Fi on steroids’ coming to Canadian homes
U.S. spearheads creation of powerful system of Internet links putting unused TV channels to work
Earlier this month, the FCC launched the a training initiative designed to educate non-U.S. regulators about the potential of so-called “white-space” broadcasting — unused digital TV channels on the dial.
Unlike other wireless technologies, TV signals white spaces are not affected by concrete, trees, or shrubs, and do not require a clear line of sight.
By using the existing TV broadcasting network, the new technology could encourage more competition among Internet providers and, possibly, lower fees for Internet access. Without the need to lease cables or set up new towers, new Internet providers can set up quickly and at low cost, and offer coast-to-coast Internet access.
“Our founder, Larry Page, calls it Wi-Fi on steroids,” said Jacob Glick, Canada policy lawyer for Google Inc., which has been one of the most vocal supporters for white spaces. “For the average person, there will be many more choices on where, how, and how much you pay for your broadband Internet connection.”
The new technology will use the digital TV broadcast rollout in the U.S. — which will replace the existing analog TV broadcasts as early as Feb. 17 — as a medium to distribute Internet signals. Because it’s using the broadcasting network, anyone able to pick up TV signals will be able to tap these Internet signals.
Canada is to shut off analog TV in February 2011, and white-space technology could be implemented here at that time. That’s why Canadian regulators are listening intently to their U.S. colleagues.
The FCC has researched white spaces for years and wants to share its findings about the technology.
New cellular phones are being planned that would operate independently of existing networks, and would instead access the Internet through white-space technologies and send and receive calls over the Web. High-definition TV broadcasts and movies can be streamed through white spaces directly to a person’s laptop, BlackBerry or iPhone.
“It takes images and sound and sends them great distances with no distortion,” said Jake Ward, a spokesman for the Wireless Innovation Alliance, which has been lobbying for white-space technology to be approved for general use. “Given we have this empty space and you can move information further and faster, this is incredibly important to the wireless industry.”
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