Abstract
This paper focuses on facilitating the development of Tidal Range Structures (TRSs), including tidal lagoons by using an improved Genetic Algorithm (GA) model to optimise the operation schemes over a Spring-Neap tidal cycle. The GA model splits the operation into a single tidal cycle to optimise the operation of TRSs through the process of mutation, recombination and selection, which creates the new schemes. The combined operation of two prospective tidal lagoon projects: West Somerset Lagoon (WSL) and North Wales Tidal Lagoon (NWTL) are used as case studies to demonstrate the potential of the flexible operation optimisation of TRSs for multiple objectives. For one of the scenarios, the operation of two schemes could be optimised so that both schemes generate electricity over 95% of the simulation period.