Cyber security of Offshore Renewable Energy platforms in a smart grid environment

In general, power grids are seeing an increase in computing and communication capabilities integrated themselves into power grids. This has led to a number of cyber-physical vulnerabilities, and threads can significantly influence physical infrastructure, economy, and society. However, making existing power systems more efficient does not lower carbon emissions as much as changing the source to renewable energy. Therefore, the aim of this PhD project is to assess and address cyber-physical risks of offshore renewable energy (ORE). The purpose of the first goal is multi-fold: (1) to address an area of renewable energy, specifically offshore, that is growing, (2) to address an under-researched area of power-security (3) to draw from DoS/supervisor expertise, and (4) to use unique facilities/labs around maritime cyber-security and ORE at the University of Plymouth. While the end goal is to protect future energy grids, this goal narrows the scope of possibility to a reasonable PhD project, but also brings in several research strengths that the university possesses at a critical point in technology development.
The purpose of this PhD project is to propose solutions to the risks and threats unique to digitally securing offshore renewable energy platforms. As with other research around power grid cyber security, this can be done with a combination of power system simulation tools or physical testbeds. What is unique is not the simulation tools, but the systems and context being simulated. For a testbed, UoP has the Cyber-SHIP lab that is testing systems on a ship, including power, power monitoring, alarms, power distribution, and communications. This hardware testbed is unique, as it features vessel systems, and it can be modified to replicate aspects ORE platforms, or lessons learned from it can lead to the development of a separate testbed. Some combination of these tools can be used by a PhD student to understand the types of cyber-threats, and potential outcomes.