Abstract
Amidst the global transition to sustainable energy, marine renewable energy systems, notably ocean current turbines, emerge as promising alternatives. However, their integration into the energy grid exposes them to cybersecurity challenges, including unique cyber-physical threats. This paper examines the modern-day landscape of cyber-physical risks targeting marine renewable energy systems, with a spotlight on ocean current turbines, while advocating for the urgency in formulating robust strategies for detection and mitigation of attacks.
Cyber-physical threats to marine renewable energy systems encompass a spectrum of tactics, often infiltrating through the industrial control system (ICS) that governs turbine operation. These threats include tampering with ICS to manipulate turbine operation in response to changing currents or sea conditions, falsifying sensor data to mislead operators regarding environmental factors or system performance, disrupting communication networks that relay crucial data between offshore turbines and onshore control centers, and orchestrating physical damage through cyber means, such as triggering mechanical failures or inducing improper blade rotation.
To highlight the severity of these threats, this paper embarks on the development of an elaborate attack model tailored explicitly for grid-integrated ocean current turbines. This model intricately examines potential attack vectors, considering the unique challenges posed by the marine environment and the critical role of the ICS. It delves into scenarios where control systems are manipulated to exploit vulnerabilities arising from the turbulent nature of ocean currents, sensor data falsification to conceal anomalies amidst the dynamic marine ecosystem, and communication network disruptions induced by the harsh maritime conditions. Moreover, the paper explores the effects of the developed attack scenario on a hardware-in-the-loop grid-connected ocean current turbine. By simulating the attack's impact on a real-time hardware setup, the study aims to provide insights into the actual consequences on energy generation and grid stability. This comprehensive analysis underscores the critical importance of developing targeted strategies for detecting and mitigating cyber-physical threats in marine renewable energy systems, particularly through securing the ICS.
Understanding the intricacies of these threats is pivotal for fortifying the resilience of marine renewable energy systems and ensuring their secure integration into the energy infrastructure. By combining insights from marine engineering, cybersecurity, and environmental science, stakeholders can collaborate to formulate tailored defense mechanisms, thereby safeguarding the integrity and reliability of marine renewable energy infrastructure against cyber-physical attacks. Through concerted efforts and interdisciplinary synergy, resilient cybersecurity frameworks can be established to foster the sustainable advancement of marine renewable energy technologies.