Abstract
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