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Powering the Future: PQC for Smart Grid Applications with David Domingo

In this episode of PQ-REACT: Conversations with our Experts, we discussed with David Domingo from Indra about the PQC for Smart Grid applications pilot. He presented the challenges facing smart grid security, explained how the pilot is evaluating post-quantum cryptography for energy applications, and shared key lessons learned from working with utilities and smart meter technologies.

Smart meters are everywhere in our homes and cities, but most of us never think about their security. What challenge(s) is the pilot trying to solve, and why is it so important?

Security in smart grid environments can be viewed from two main perspectives: privacy and operational security. From a privacy standpoint, the information collected by smart meters for billing purposes can reveal sensitive details about daily life, such as when people are at home, when they are away, and even which household appliances they are using. From an operational security perspective, the risks can be even more significant. Utilities can remotely connect or disconnect power supplies through the communication systems used by smart meters. This communication layer, known as DLMS, is one of the areas being examined within the PQ-REACT pilot. If an attacker were able to compromise these systems, they could potentially disconnect specific smart meters or even trigger large-scale service interruptions. Other risks include manipulating meter readings or billing information, creating financial and operational consequences for utilities.

“These scenarios highlight why securing smart grid communications is so important, both for service providers and for citizens who depend on reliable energy services.”

Quantum computing is still something many people associate with the distant future. How important is it for the energy sector to be prepared for the quantum shift, and why?

From a broader perspective, quantum computing could eventually bring significant benefits to the energy sector, including improvements in network optimisation and operational efficiency. However, it also introduces important cybersecurity challenges. In the short and medium term, one of the key concerns is the security of the DLMS communication layer used by smart meters. Beyond that, the implications extend to other components of the smart grid infrastructure, including data concentrators and higher-level network systems. The transition to quantum-safe security is not only a technical challenge. It also involves regulatory considerations, standardisation efforts, and ensuring interoperability across different systems and stakeholders. Preparing early is therefore essential for maintaining both the security and resilience of future energy networks.

How will the pilot be tested? Can you give us a few details?

The pilot approaches the challenge from two complementary directions. Within the pilot activities, the team is working directly with utilities to gather data from real operational deployments. This information helps assess the potential impact of introducing post-quantum cryptography into existing smart grid environments. At the same time, the project’s open call activities are generating performance data related to post-quantum cryptographic algorithms running on processors similar to those used in actual smart meters. These devices typically have limited processing capabilities, making it important to understand how post-quantum solutions perform in realistic operating conditions. Together, these activities provide both practical deployment insights and technical performance evaluations.

How will the pilot help solve the challenge(s) you described earlier?

One of the pilot’s most important contributions is raising awareness among key stakeholders within the smart grid ecosystem. Utilities, smart meter manufacturers, and other industry actors need to understand that the transition to post-quantum cryptography is not a distant concern but something that requires preparation today. By generating evidence, practical insights, and real-world data, the pilot helps stakeholders recognise the importance of starting their migration planning as early as possible.

And which solutions will be generated through this pilot implementation?

The pilot will generate several valuable outputs. These include project deliverables based on real-world utility data, performance assessments of post-quantum cryptography on smart meter-like devices, and technical evaluations of potential deployment scenarios. Equally important is the increased awareness created across the smart grid community. The findings are expected to support future standardisation efforts, help estimate operational impacts, and provide guidance for organisations preparing for post-quantum migration.

What are the foreseen impact/benefits of this pilot on the main PQ-REACT stakeholders and also on EU citizens? Which results from this pilot will ensure a smooth transition to the quantum era?

The expected impact of the pilot is straightforward but highly important: helping smart grid infrastructures continue operating under the same security and performance expectations that exist today. For utilities and technology providers, the pilot offers practical information that can support future planning and implementation decisions. For European citizens, the benefits come in the form of secure, reliable, and resilient energy services that remain protected against future cybersecurity threats. In terms of ensuring a smooth transition to the quantum era, the pilot’s most significant contribution is encouraging stakeholders to begin the necessary preparations now. “Early awareness and proactive planning are critical to achieving a successful migration.”

What has this pilot taught you—key takeaways? And where do you see this sector heading in the years to come?

One of the most important lessons learned through the pilot has been the challenge of communicating urgency. While the need to prepare for post-quantum security may seem evident to researchers and cybersecurity experts, it is often more difficult to convince organisations to prioritise an issue that may appear to be several years away. The project has shown that reaching the right stakeholders and encouraging them to take action today remains one of the biggest challenges of the post-quantum transition. Looking ahead, awareness, preparation, and collaboration will be essential. As quantum technologies continue to evolve, the energy sector will increasingly need to integrate quantum-safe approaches into its infrastructure, standards, and long-term planning processes.

“The sooner organisations begin that journey, the smoother and more secure the transition will be.”

Listen to the full discussion here.