News & Updates

We're pleased to share that our graduate-level study abroad program in Taiwan, focused on marine energy technologies, has successfully concluded. The program was integrated with NAVARCH 540 – Marine Dynamics III and provided a rich academic and cultural experience.

Through collaborations with National Taiwan Ocean University (NTOU) and National Taiwan University (NTU), students participated in immersive fieldwork and research. They accessed NTOU’s offshore wave energy converter site near Keelung and engaged with NTU’s cutting-edge TaidaFloat floating wind platform project.

The program achieved its goal of giving students firsthand exposure to advanced marine energy systems, while also fostering international academic partnerships. We are proud of the insights gained and the connections built through this initiative.

🔗 Detailed program schedule: NA540 Taiwan Field Trip

🔗 Learn more about the program: Faculty and Student Perspective: New Study Abroad Program in Taiwan | Global Michigan

The University of Michigan's recent study, published in Ocean Dynamics, highlights the significant potential for offshore wind energy in the Great Lakes region, estimating over 700 gigawatts of energy capacity, surpassing that of the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.  This capacity could supply twice the annual energy consumption of the Great Lakes region.

However, the study addresses several challenges that hinder potential future offshore wind development in the region:

• Technical: The depth of the Great Lakes necessitates floating wind turbine designs in most areas, as fixed-bottom structures are only viable up to 60 m (~200 feet).

• Ice Challenges: Ice formation and drift pose risks to turbine performance and platform's structural integrity.

• Environmental: Potential effects on wildlife (e.g., migratory birds and bats) and aquatic ecosystem (e.g., fish, invertebrate, algae blooms, water quality, etc.) are significant considerations.

• Community Concerns: Visual impact and influence on recreational and tourist activities should be carefully investigated.

We're thrilled to share that the University of Michigan has been awarded $5 million in new funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to enhance testing and development of wave energy and offshore wind technologies.

The grants support four innovative projects led by Prof. Lei Zuo, including:

• Shock-absorbing mooring systems that extend device durability and power onboard sensors.

• Noise-mitigation solutions like balloon curtains and seabed pole arrays to protect marine life from offshore turbine noise.

• Hardware-in-the-loop platforms enabling lab-scale testing of ocean-sized wave energy devices.

• A standardized testing framework and open-access database for power takeoff systems.