This paper presents an overview of the motivation, background to and state-of-
the-art in energy maximising control of wave energy devices. The underpinning mathematical
modelling is described and the control fundamentals established. Two example control schemes
are presented, along with some algorithms for wave forecasting, which can be a necessary
requirement, due to the non-causal nature of some optimal control strategies. One of the control
schemes is extended to show how cooperative control of devices in a wave farm can be beneficial.
The paper also includes perspectives on the interaction between control and the broader
objectives of optimal wave energy device geometry and full techno-economic optimisation of
wave energy converters
