Securing Marine Renewable Energy Systems: Understanding Cyber-Physical Threats and Evaluating Consequences via Hardware-in-the-Loop

This paper addresses some of the cybersecurity challenges faced by marine renewable energy systems, particularly
Marine Current Turbines, amid the global shift towards sustainable energy. It explores the cyber-physical threats these
systems encounter, ranging from tampering with industrial control systems (ICS) that regulate turbine operations to

falsifying sensor data and disrupting communication networks. A man-in-the-middle attack model specific to grid-
integrated Marine Current Turbines is used, examining potential effects within the marine environment and the pivotal

role of ICS. Through a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation of a grid-connected turbine, this study demonstrates
the real-time impacts of such attacks on energy production and grid stability. This analysis highlights the urgent need
for targeted detection and mitigation strategies to protect against cyber-physical threats, emphasizing the importance
of securing ICS and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration among marine engineering, cybersecurity, and
environmental science experts to enhance the resilience and reliability of marine renewable energy infrastructure.