Abstract
Taiwan relies heavily on imported fossil fuels, with over 98% of its energy demand supplied by foreign sources, posing significant challenges to national energy security. To explore alternatives, this study investigates the potential of marine renewable energy by developing a 20 kW floating hydrokinetic turbine prototype designed for deployment in the Kuroshio Current. The research encompasses system design, model validation, and both tank and at-sea testing to evaluate hydrodynamic performance and power generation efficiency. A parametric design approach, combined with controlled tank experiments and in-situ monitoring, was employed to assess turbine behavior under various flow conditions. During sea trials, the turbine achieved blade rotational speeds of approximately 30 rpm at 2.5 knots and nearly 40 rpm at 3 knots of vessel-relative water velocity. Power generation reached 10 kW at 40 rpm under a 5 kW load, and 12 kW at 32 rpm under a 10 kW load, demonstrating a proportional relationship between rotational speed and electrical output. These experimental results confirm the technical feasibility of energy conversion from the Kuroshio Current and provide valuable reference data for the future design and optimization of commercial-scale hydrokinetic energy systems.