This chapter emphasizes on the IoT, its mechanism, and significance with respect to the current trends. Sensors will be the medium to exchange information from one part of the location to different locations. Smart grids play a major role compared to conventional grid were the energy usage and controlling are critical. The later section of this chapter gives the complete picture of how these IoT-enabled networks will be the part of smart grids, its implementation challenges, and benefits.

The role of blockchain in IoT is discussed. Various advantages and disadvantages or challenges faced in adopting blockchain in IoT are considered. The overall vulnerabilities of IoT environment is discussed in detail here.

Chapter Contents:

• 2.1 Introduction
• 2.2 Internet of Things
• 2.2.1 Mechanism behind IoT
• 2.2.2 Empowering technologies for the IoT
• 2.2.3 Significance of IoT
• 2.3 Wireless sensor networks
• 2.3.1 Characteristics of WSNs
• 2.3.2 WSNs data transmission energy consumption model
• 2.4 Smart grids
• 2.4.1 Purpose of the smart grid
• 2.4.2 Grid structure in a traditional Grid
• 2.5 IoT-enabled sensor networks for smart grids
• 2.5.1 Smart grid: in action
• 2.5.2 Implementation challenges for IoT-based smart grids
• 2.5.3 How smart cities are using smart grid technology to benefit their communities
• 2.5.4 Advantages of smart grid
• 2.6 Blockchain for IoT
• 2.6.1 Advantages of decentralization
• 2.6.2 Challenges of adopting blockchain in IoT applications
• 2.7 Vulnerabilities in IoT
• 2.7.1 Problems at sensing layer
• 2.7.2 Problems of security in network layer
• 2.7.3 Security problems at middleware layer
• 2.7.4 Security problems at gateways
• 2.7.5 Security problems at application layer
• 2.8 Scalability in IoT
• 2.9 Conclusion
• References

Inspec keywords: smart power grids; computerised instrumentation; blockchains; telecommunication security; Internet of Things; sensors; power engineering computing

Other keywords: IoT environment; IoT-enabled sensor networks; IoT-enabled networks; smart grids; conventional grid; adopting blockchain

Subjects: Computerised instrumentation; Computerised instrumentation; Computer networks and techniques; Power systems; Power engineering computing; Data security; Distributed databases; Computer communications; Transducers and sensing devices; Sensing devices and transducers