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Q-EnergyDEX: A Zero-Trust Distributed Energy Trading Framework Driven by Quantum Key Distribution and Blockchain

Ziqing Zhu

TL;DR

Q-EnergyDEX tackles cyber-physical security challenges in decentralized energy markets by integrating quantum key distribution with blockchain in a zero-trust architecture. The framework introduces Rate-Adap, Q-SAH, and PoR-Lite to deliver sustainable quantum randomness, low-latency secure handshakes, and fast probabilistic finality, respectively, while coupling market-clearing with entropy availability through a Stackelberg-constrained auction. Theoretical analyses and extensive simulations demonstrate stable randomness provisioning, convergence of the entropy-management mechanism, and practical finality times (roughly a few seconds) suitable for real-time electricity markets, with an economic evaluation showing negligible welfare distortion and improved resilience over TLS baselines. Overall, Q-EnergyDEX provides end-to-end quantum-secured infrastructure for large-scale decentralized energy trading, offering forward secrecy, information-theoretic security, and scalable performance for future quantum-era grids.

Abstract

The rapid decentralization and digitalization of local electricity markets have introduced new cyber-physical vulnerabilities, including key leakage, data tampering, and identity spoofing. Existing blockchain-based solutions provide transparency and traceability but still depend on classical cryptographic primitives that are vulnerable to quantum attacks. To address these challenges, this paper proposes Q-EnergyDEX, a zero-trust distributed energy trading framework driven by quantum key distribution and blockchain. The framework integrates physical-layer quantum randomness with market-level operations, providing an end-to-end quantum-secured infrastructure. A cloud-based Quantum Key Management Service continuously generates verifiable entropy and regulates key generation through a rate-adaptive algorithm to sustain high-quality randomness. A symmetric authentication protocol (Q-SAH) establishes secure and low-latency sessions, while the quantum-aided consensus mechanism (PoR-Lite) achieves probabilistic ledger finality within a few seconds. Furthermore, a Stackelberg-constrained bilateral auction couples market clearing with entropy availability, ensuring both economic efficiency and cryptographic security. Simulation results show that Q-EnergyDEX maintains robust key stability and near-optimal social welfare, demonstrating its feasibility for large-scale decentralized energy markets.

Q-EnergyDEX: A Zero-Trust Distributed Energy Trading Framework Driven by Quantum Key Distribution and Blockchain

TL;DR

Q-EnergyDEX tackles cyber-physical security challenges in decentralized energy markets by integrating quantum key distribution with blockchain in a zero-trust architecture. The framework introduces Rate-Adap, Q-SAH, and PoR-Lite to deliver sustainable quantum randomness, low-latency secure handshakes, and fast probabilistic finality, respectively, while coupling market-clearing with entropy availability through a Stackelberg-constrained auction. Theoretical analyses and extensive simulations demonstrate stable randomness provisioning, convergence of the entropy-management mechanism, and practical finality times (roughly a few seconds) suitable for real-time electricity markets, with an economic evaluation showing negligible welfare distortion and improved resilience over TLS baselines. Overall, Q-EnergyDEX provides end-to-end quantum-secured infrastructure for large-scale decentralized energy trading, offering forward secrecy, information-theoretic security, and scalable performance for future quantum-era grids.

Abstract

The rapid decentralization and digitalization of local electricity markets have introduced new cyber-physical vulnerabilities, including key leakage, data tampering, and identity spoofing. Existing blockchain-based solutions provide transparency and traceability but still depend on classical cryptographic primitives that are vulnerable to quantum attacks. To address these challenges, this paper proposes Q-EnergyDEX, a zero-trust distributed energy trading framework driven by quantum key distribution and blockchain. The framework integrates physical-layer quantum randomness with market-level operations, providing an end-to-end quantum-secured infrastructure. A cloud-based Quantum Key Management Service continuously generates verifiable entropy and regulates key generation through a rate-adaptive algorithm to sustain high-quality randomness. A symmetric authentication protocol (Q-SAH) establishes secure and low-latency sessions, while the quantum-aided consensus mechanism (PoR-Lite) achieves probabilistic ledger finality within a few seconds. Furthermore, a Stackelberg-constrained bilateral auction couples market clearing with entropy availability, ensuring both economic efficiency and cryptographic security. Simulation results show that Q-EnergyDEX maintains robust key stability and near-optimal social welfare, demonstrating its feasibility for large-scale decentralized energy markets.
Paper Structure (21 sections, 3 theorems, 52 equations, 7 figures, 2 tables)

This paper contains 21 sections, 3 theorems, 52 equations, 7 figures, 2 tables.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. General Background
  3. Literature Review
  4. Research Gaps and Contributions
  5. System Model and Core Mechanisms
  6. Entity Sets and Roles
  7. Communication and Timing Model
  8. Quantum‑KMS Randomness Model
  9. Key Pool Birth--Death Chain Model
  10. Stackelberg-Constrained Bilateral Auction
  11. Algorithmic Stack for Quantum-Enhanced Electricity Market Security
  12. KMS Rate‑Adapt for Sustainable Randomness Supply
  13. Quantum Symmetric Authenticated Handshake (Q‑SAH)
  14. PoR‑Lite Consensus for Fast Finality in Electricity Markets
  15. Case Study
  16. ...and 6 more sections

Key Result

Theorem 1

Consider a Birth--Death chain with finite capacity $M$, birth rate $\mu$ and death rate $\lambda k$, and let If $\rho < 1$ (i.e., the replenishment rate exceeds the consumption rate), then the Markov chain is irreducible and positive recurrent, and the unique steady-state distribution is As the capacity $M \to \infty$, the distribution converges to a geometric form $\pi_s = (1-\rho)\rho^s$, yiel

Figures (7)

  • Figure 1: Framework
  • Figure 2: Rate-Adapt: Time Series Simulation
  • Figure 3: Rate-Adapt vs. Fixed: Output Rate CDF
  • Figure 4: Q-SAH vs TLS: Handshake Latency Distribution
  • Figure 5: PoR-Lite Finality Depth Distribution
  • ...and 2 more figures

Theorems & Definitions (6)

  • Theorem 1: Steady-State Distribution and Empty-Pool Probability
  • proof
  • Proposition 2.1: Existence and Uniqueness of Stackelberg Equilibrium
  • proof
  • Theorem 2: Q‑SAH distinguishing advantage
  • proof : Proof sketch