Lei Zuo
Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering
This program is integrated with the graduate-level course NAVARCH 540 – Marine Dynamics III, which explores the fundamental analysis of marine dynamic systems, including normal mode analysis, the properties of linear gravity waves, and wave forces on marine structures. In collaboration with National Taiwan Ocean University (NTOU) and National Taiwan University (NTU), the program provides students with hands-on experience in marine energy technologies. NTOU has maintained a permitted field test site for wave energy converters (WECs) offshore Keelung since 2011, supported by long-term wave energy data collected through a buoy deployed in 2012. NTU has been leading the research and development of floating offshore wind platforms in Taiwan, exemplified by their TaidaFloat project, which aims to establish Taiwan as a pioneer in floating offshore wind power in the Asia-Pacific region.
The meticulously planned trip, scheduled from October 12th to October 20th, offered students an exceptional opportunity to engage directly with the marine renewable energy sector. Students significantly benefitted from hands-on learning through visits to NTOU, NTU and site visits to the ocean wave and offshore wind energy, where they explored research facilities and field sites.
Students gained comprehensive knowledge of wave energy systems, including their design, operation, and integration into existing power grids. By participating in field visits to NTOU’s WEC test site, students had the opportunity to observe wave energy conversion technologies in operation. Additionally, visits to offshore structure fabrication yards, wind farms, and operation and maintenance centers provided insights into the practical aspects of marine energy projects. Students who have a passion for contributing to the offshore renewable energy sector can leverage this opportunity to engage with experts in the industry and discuss real-world challenges.
Through this field trip, students can apply concepts learned in the course to real-world scenarios, enhancing their problem-solving abilities in marine dynamics. Furthermore, the course required students to complete a project on marine dynamics. The visit to Taiwan has inspired students to undertake comprehensive projects addressing current challenges in marine renewable energy. By the end of the program, students gained a holistic understanding of marine renewable energy technologies and their implementation, preparing them to contribute effectively to the field of sustainable energy.
What impact did the New Faculty-Led Education Abroad Program Grant have on your program?
This grant has significantly elevated the program’s scope, impact, and educational value. Enabling a faculty-led education abroad component, has allowed students to go beyond the confines of traditional classroom settings and directly immerse themselves in the global marine renewable energy sector. Through interactions with international researchers, industry professionals, and local communities, students have gained deeper insights into the complexities and practicalities of marine energy implementation—experiences that simply cannot be replicated in a domestic academic environment.
In addition to expanding their technical knowledge, students were honing essential soft skills such as cross-cultural communication, adaptability, and problem-solving. Interacting with peers and mentors from different cultural backgrounds fostered greater empathy and open-mindedness, preparing them to collaborate effectively on international teams. The on-site exposure to offshore wind farms, wave energy converters, and testing facilities brought theoretical concepts to life, reinforcing learned principles through tangible, real-world examples. This dynamic, hands-on approach encouraged critical thinking and innovative solutions, as students witness first-hand the engineering challenges and economic considerations that drive policy decisions and energy infrastructure investments.
By participating in this program, students cultivated a broader worldview, recognizing the interconnectedness of environmental issues, technological advancements, and cultural factors. They emerged not only as better-informed engineers and researchers, but as global citizens who can navigate diverse professional landscapes, understand varying regulatory frameworks, and respect the unique social contexts in which marine renewable energy systems operate.
Student Perspective: Jui-Chen Chen
“During the trip, we visited the wave energy converter prototype at NTOU. This was one of the most striking moments of the journey. Standing in front of the machine, I feel excited of what it represents- an innovative solution to harnessing the ocean’s power for sustainable energy. It’s one thing to understand the theoretical mechanics of such a device, but seeing it interact with real-world waves provided insights that no classroom could offer. Even though I am a student from Taiwan, I do not really have the chance to visit the site so closely with professional experts leading.”
Student Perspective: Maximilian S. Mah
“Perhaps the highlight of the visit was the bus tour to Taichung to visit various stakeholders in Taiwan’s wind farm development. The tour first stopped at Century Group, a fabrication company of large wind farm jackets. Seeing the fabrication facilities and large jackets up close was quite humbling. The tour then stopped by the Formosa 1 offshore wind farm and operations and maintenance (O&M) center. The successful implementation of the wind farm as the first step toward renewable energy was very inspiring. Hearing about the upkeep challenges and workload of the Formosa 1 wind farm from the O&M center was a valuable insight, as it is important to keep a realistic perspective and full systems-wide view of renewable energy methods.”
Student Perspective: Xiangyu Lu
“Between the tech visits, exploring Taiwan’s vibrant local culture provided a welcome contrast. The Keelung Night Market was absolutely buzzing with energy – the seafood there is incredible and super fresh. Also, a visit to the Beitou hot spring area and Yangmingshan National Park revealed Taiwan’s fascinating geothermal landscape. While there wasn’t time to take a dip in the hot springs, the sight of rising steam and the distinctive sulfuric aroma offered a unique perspective on Taiwan’s natural energy resources. It was cool to see how Taiwan is embracing both natural resources and modern technology.”