Researchers Tested Wave Energy on Beaver Island

University of Michigan scientists deployed wave energy prototypes to help supply power to remote coastal areas.

Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Energy

Researchers Tested Wave Energy on Beaver Island

Live Poll

Should remote communities prioritize local renewable energy sources over traditional power grid connections?

University of Michigan researchers have successfully demonstrated two small wave energy converter prototypes off the coast of Beaver Island. The devices generated enough electricity to power a light and charge a cell phone during testing in Lake Michigan.

Why it matters

This technology aims to provide reliable power to remote communities and supplement existing grid infrastructure that currently relies on cables running 30 miles from the mainland. Harnessing wave power could significantly bolster energy autonomy for coastal regions.

The study utilized two small floating and submerged prototypes that capture kinetic energy as waves drive an internal powertrain. Researchers noted that wave power density is five to 10 times higher than that of wind and solar energy.

The players

University of Michigan

This public research university in Ann Arbor serves as the institutional home for the team developing the wave energy converters.

The details

The devices work by allowing floating and submerged bodies to move relative to one another as waves pass, which activates an electromagnetic generator. This project is one of more than 1,000 different wave energy converter concepts currently being studied in academic literature.

Researchers have met with Beaver Island community members over the last two years.

The Big Picture

This research aligns with the U.S. Department of Energy's Water Power Technologies Office marine energy research initiatives by exploring marine power as a viable supplement to traditional grid electricity. It represents a shift toward diversifying energy sources using the high power density of coastal waters.

Successful development of these converters could lead to more stable local power grids for island and coastal residents who currently depend on long-distance underwater cables. Future commercialization may eventually provide a sustainable, high-density alternative to current energy delivery methods.

The takeaway

Wave energy converters utilize the high kinetic density of water to potentially outproduce solar and wind installations in specific environments. Residents in remote regions can monitor these developments as researchers work to increase power output for long-term use.