Energy-Efficient FPGA-Based Hardware-Software Co-Design of the Skein Algorithm for Secure Edge Computing in Smart Grids

Abstract

The rapid growth of smart grids and renewable energy systems has augmented the demand for secure, efficient, and low-power edge-based computing solutions. These systems rely on real-time data exchanges between distributed energy resources, substations, and control units—necessitating cryptographic techniques that maintain data integrity without compromising performance or energy efficiency. An optimized hardware-software co-design of the Skein cryptographic hash algorithm is presented in this work, specifically designed for FPGA-based System-on-Chip (SoC) platforms. The system achieves quick Threefish operations with minimal power and delay by carefully partitioning the various computing tasks between the Processing System (PS) and the Programmable Logic (PL). A Xilinx Zynq-7000 platform is used for experimental evaluation, which shows a throughput of 7168 Mbps, a peak frequency of 140 MHz, and a delay of 10 cycles, all while using only 0.533 watts. These findings demonstrate the applicability of the suggested method for safe, instantaneous communication in smart grid edge devices, including microgrid controllers and smart meters, providing a scalable and energy-efficient cryptographic foundation for energy systems of the future.