Abstract
Tidal barrages have been used as a source of renewable energy since Medieval times, though the commercial utilisation of tidal barrages for electricity production began in 1966. In the intervening time, a number of techniques have been used to optimise the operation of tidal barrages, in order to maximise their utility, against set criteria, usually including maximisation of converted energy. This paper examines what can be learned from a sister renewable energy application, wave energy, in terms of the energy-maximising control schemes employed. Specifically, comparisons are made in terms of the characteristics of the primary energy excitation, the set of control protocols available, and the mathematical models used to describe each system. In order to provide a preliminary assessment of the potential for the use of wave energy control concepts, a sample case study is undertaken, where a popular wave energy control philosophy is used to optimise the operation of a tidal barrage.