New & Updates

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 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

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…

We're here to share that Beaver Island, Michigan, has been selected 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…

We're happy to share that residents of Beaver Island, Michigan, are actively participating in the University of Michigan's initiative to develop a community-centered wave energy converter. This collaboration aims to harness Lake Michigan's wave power to provide sustainable and reliable energy for the island's approximately 600 year-round residents, who currently depend on a single underwater cable for electricity.

During a recent visit, U-M researchers, including doctoral student Vishnu Vijayasankar and assistant research scientist Xiaofan Li, engaged with the community through workshops and surveys. The response was enthusiastic, with 15 residents joining a feedback panel and 21 expressing interest in ongoing surveys. This community involvement is crucial for designing a wave energy prototype tailored to the island's unique needs and environmental conditions.

This project is part of a broader $3.6 million National Science Foundation-funded effort led by Professor Lei Zuo to develop community-centric wave energy solutions. The initiative emphasizes co-designing technology with local communities to…

We're excited to share that the University of Michigan is spearheading a $2.6 million initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's Vehicle Technologies Office. The project aims to enhance electric motor efficiency and affordability by leveraging 3D printing technologies to produce advanced magnetic materials.

Under the leadership of Professor Lei Zuo, the research team will utilize laser powder bed fusion to 3D-print high-performance nanocrystalline soft magnetic cores and gradient permanent magnets. This approach seeks to:

• Reduce eddy current losses by a factor of 10

• Decrease iron core loss by a factor of 5

• Triple the permeability of the iron core

• Lower manufacturing costs by 40%

We're excited to share that the University of Michigan has established the Center for Growing Ocean Energy Technologies and the Blue Economy (GO BLUE), backed by the National Science Foundation's Industry-University Cooperative Research Centers (IUCRC) program. This collaborative initiative, involving Stevens Institute of Technology and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, aims to accelerate innovation in marine energy and foster the development of the blue economy.

Key objectives of the GO BLUE Center include:

• Advancing marine energy technologies such as wave, tidal, and offshore wind power.

• Bridging gaps between academia, industry, and government to address climate change and clean energy needs.

• Promoting interdisciplinary research and cross-sector partnerships to overcome technological, societal, economic, and environmental challenges.

• Supporting workforce development and economic growth in coastal communities.

We're excited to announce that the University of Michigan is spearheading a $3.6 million National Science Foundation-funded project aimed at developing community-focused wave energy converters. This initiative targets sustainable energy solutions for coastal areas, beginning with Beaver Island, Michigan, and Nags Head, North Carolina.

Led by Prof. Lei Zuo and a multidisciplinary team, the project emphasizes:

• Collaborative design with local communities to ensure energy solutions meet specific regional needs.

• Development of a comprehensive assessment framework balancing engineering efficiency, environmental impact, and socio-economic considerations.

• Field testing of wave energy devices tailored to the unique conditions of each site.

This effort represents a significant step toward harnessing the vast potential of wave energy, which could supply up to 35% of the U.S. electricity demand, while ensuring that the technologies are environmentally responsible and socially equitable.

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.