Researchers from the University of Michigan have deployed two prototype wave energy devices on Beaver Island in Lake Michigan. The effort aims to generate electricity locally and reduce dependence on vulnerable underwater cables from the mainland.
Beaver Island, home to about 600 residents, receives power through cables that cross roughly 30 miles of lake bed. Outages occur frequently during storms, including a prolonged blackout after last year's ice storm.
Earlier this month the university team placed two small devices, each roughly the size of a yoga ball, along the shoreline. The prototypes successfully powered a light bulb and charged a cell phone during initial tests.
The project follows two years of community input, with residents identifying reliable power for the airport as a top priority. Lead researcher Lei Zuo said the team worked closely with locals to shape the design.
The devices are funded by National Science Foundation grants. The team plans to refine the technology and install a final version in the coming years.