Abstract
The tidal energy conversion system has become a major facility for ocean energy harvesting. The intermittency of tidal currents and the resulting large cyclic stresses in the tidal generator, however, make the energy harvesting from tidal currents more challenging than from other renewable sources, such as wind and solar. This paper presents a concept of maximum life-cycle tracking, which minimizes, the torque stress on the shaft, therefore maximizing the life cycle of the tidal energy systems by tracking power-speed curves with a power electronic inverter. By implementing the new concept, the life cycle of a the tidal generator can be extended tens of times.