Birth of GO Blue Center bankrolled with US federal grant to drive marine energy innovation and power blue economy

The University of Michigan has unveiled the establishment of the Center for Growing Ocean Energy Technologies and the Blue Economy (GO Blue), an initiative that enjoys the backing of three universities and is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under the Industry-University Cooperative Research Centers (IUCRC) program.

The GO Blue Center, a collaboration between the University of Michigan, Stevens Institute of Technology, and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, is set to accelerate marine energy advancements and support the growth of the blue economy. According to the University of Michigan, the GO Blue Center aims to bridge gaps between academia, industry, and government in developing marine energy solutions.

This will be accomplished with the support of approximately $597,136 to be awarded in total with $238,855 obligated to date. The start date is slated for November 1, 2024, and the end date is estimated to be October 31, 2029. The center is designed to overcome the obstacles through targeted research and innovation. The goal is to foster technological breakthroughs and commercial success by bringing together experts from marine hydrodynamics, offshore engineering, and coastal resilience.

“Developing these marine energy resources and weaving them to power the blue economy continues to face technological, societal, economic, and environmental challenges. Overcoming these barriers requires convergent actions of integrating engineering with physics, economics, environmental, and social sciences,” stated the University of Michigan.

Industry players are poised to benefit from the GO Blue Center’s research and early access to intellectual property, giving them an advantage in the evolving marine energy sector, according to the University of Michigan.

In addition, industry players will also have opportunities to mentor a new generation of engineers and scientists, ensuring the next wave of talent is prepared to meet industry demands. Universities involved in the project will gain access to funding streams while placing students in hands-on research that contributes directly to marine energy advancements, claimed the University of Michigan. The center will also hold biannual meetings rotating among the three universities to assess progress and set new research priorities, ensuring alignment with industry demands and societal needs.

Under the leadership of Lei Zuo from the University of Michigan who will serve as the Center Director, each participating university will bring its strengths to the GO Blue Center. Michigan’s expertise in marine hydrodynamics, naval architecture, and maritime transportation position it as a powerhouse in ocean energy technology. 

Stevens Institute of Technology, with its Davidson Laboratory, contributes key research in ocean engineering and coastal climate modeling. Meanwhile, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi’s focus on coastal resilience and workforce diversity adds another dimension to the project, stated the University of Michigan.

Together, these universities form, what is described as a “powerful alliance” to advance marine energy innovation and power the blue economy. The research conducted will extend beyond energy systems, exploring the environmental and societal impacts of marine energy and how it can support coastal communities.

The GO Blue Center will focus on empowering coastal communities, decarbonizing maritime transportation, and promoting offshore aquaculture. The project integrates workforce development through internships and community outreach, with a particular focus on underrepresented minorities.

In July, the University of Michigan’s research team from Graham Sustainability Institute unveiled its plans to conduct a feasibility study off the coast of Beaver Island in Michigan, U.S., as part of an effort to explore the possibility of powering remote and underserved coastal communities with wave energy technology.

The project, named Catching the Waves, aims to harness Lake Michigan’s wave energy and generate renewable energy. Potential sites will be evaluated based on wave energy resources, environmental sustainability, and community preferences.