Beaver Island Selected for Wave Energy Pilot to Enhance Energy Resilience
We're excited to share that Beaver Island, Michigan, has been chosen as the testing site for a new wave energy converter prototype developed by the University of Michigan. This initiative aims to harness Lake Michigan's wave power to provide a more reliable and sustainable energy source for the island's approximately 600 year-round residents, who currently rely on a single, often unreliable, underwater cable for electricity.
The project, led by Dr. Xiaofan Li, involves a multidisciplinary team of engineers and sociologists working closely with the local community to identify the optimal location for the wave energy converter. Initial discussions considered offshore wind turbines; however, concerns about visual impact and tourism led to a preference for wave energy solutions, which are more efficient and less obtrusive.
Funded by a $10,000 catalyst grant from U-M's Graham Sustainability Institute and supported by a joint rural research partnership between the Institute for Social Research and the College of Engineering, the team plans to deploy the prototype by summer 2026.
🔗 Read more about the project: Chicago Tribune