## 3 Results and Discussion
Specifically, at 2 m/s, the BEM simulation estimated a torque of 0.3 N\(\cdot\)m, while the experimental results indicated a torque of 0.28 N\(\cdot\)m.  
The observed discrepancy between the experimental data and the BEM simulations, though minor, suggests that the performance of the underwater current turbine may have been somewhat overstated in the BEM simulations. This discrepancy could be due to the same factors. Despite these discrepancies, the differences between the experimental data and the BEM simulations were within a tolerable range of uncertainty, indicating that the BEM model is still a reliable tool for predicting the performance trends of the underwater current turbine. The presented novel approach employs a comprehensive mathematical modeling method tailored specifically to propeller blade designs which facilitates the calculation of hydrokinetic loads such as torque and power. This is achieved through the segmentation of each blade and the application of a unique developed BEM algorithm. In particular, the utilization of this mathematical model allows us to make power estimations over different Re number ranges. Therefore, this helps in the optimization of the experimental OCT design by predicting nominal rotor speeds based on simulation results. Also, as shown in the Section 3, we conduct dynamometer tests. This introduced methodology for the dynamometer testing of hydrokinetic turbines represents a significant contribution that is derived from the principles of maritime engineering. The goal of this method is to standardize empirical evaluation and enhance our understanding of hydrokinetic turbine performance. Additionally, our experimental setup involves a 3D-printed turbine model enclosed in a watertight nacelle container with sensors for recording large amounts of data. The results from the analysis of the turbine's performance during the towing tank tests shows consistent correlations between the generated power, force, and rotational speed of the PMDC motor such that one can elucidate the turbine's capacity to capture dynamic energy from ocean currents. Figure 10: Comparison of torque values with increasing carriage speed from 0 to 2 m/s from experimental and BEM simulation results. Additionally, one can observe that the comparison between the experimental results and BEM simulations provides valuable insights. From the results, we observe discrepancies between the experimental and BEM estimations. These discrepancies are expected because the BEM algorithm cannot account for three-dimensional hydrodynamic effects due to its limitations and assumptions, such as using two-dimensional potential theory when calculating the hydrodynamic coefficients. As we utilize a two-dimensional potential flow during the development of the BEM algorithm, we are unable to capture three-dimensional effects and interactions between the fluid and structure, such as vortices' effects on the body. In essence, as can be seen in Figure 8, at lower velocities, the discrepancies are less noticeable compared to those at higher flow speeds due to three-dimensional effects. The integration of a mathematical simulation with experimental testing represents a significant contribution of this study. This research advances the field of hydrokinetic turbine technology by making a connection between mathematical models and experimental observations. We apply practical observations to harness ocean currents as a reliable and potential source of renewable energy. This interdisciplinary approach not only enhances our fundamental understanding of hydrokinetic energy conversion, but also gives a novel foundation for future advancements in the field. One can easily observe from Figure 4 that we have an advantage in terms of the design of our scaled model of an OCT. We deliberately design and apply the shaft-propeller system relatively far away from the main body to decrease the interaction between the fluid and the main body. This helps us to reduce the interaction between the fluid effects and the main body structure.