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It has been shown through modelling and simulation that a linear electrical generator can be effectively controlled to maximise the energy extracted from sea waves. A reaction force control scheme allows the performance of a direct drive wave energy converter to be optimised, which adds to the benefits of low mechanical complexity and high conversion efficiencies in a direct drive system. In this study, reaction force control through experimental verification is presented. The use of a linear generator test rig and electronic hardware to control the phase and amplitude of oscillation are investigated.