University of Michigan Awarded NSF Grant to Establish the GO Blue Center for Growing Ocean Energy Technologies and the Blue Economy

The University of Michigan has announced the establishment of the Center for Growing Ocean Energy Technologies and the Blue Economy (GO Blue), a significant initiative under the umbrella of the National Science Foundation’s Industry-University Cooperative Research Centers (IUCRC) program. This center, a collaborative effort among the University of Michigan, Stevens Institute of Technology, and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, aims to accelerate marine energy innovation and foster the development of the blue economy.

Center Objectives and Industry Needs

The GO Blue Center is designed to address pressing global challenges in marine energy and the blue economy by bridging the gap between academia, industry, and government labs. With oceans and lakes covering more than 70% of the Earth’s surface, they represent a critical frontier for addressing climate change, clean energy needs, and the blue economy. The United Nations’ Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) and the White House’s Ocean Climate Action Plan highlight the importance of harnessing ocean power, including wave energy, tidal currents, and offshore wind, to combat climate change.

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. It also needs cross-cutting partnerships among academia, industry, national labs, government, and non-government organizations. GO Blue is committed to building these partnerships and undertaking these actions to accelerate marine energy technological innovation and blue economic development in support of traditional and emerging blue economy industry sectors. GO Blue will promote connectivity among researchers in academia, industry, and government labs, and provide the platform for engaging in synergetic high-impact technology development and experiential workforce training leading to successful technology transfer and commercialization. guide the research at GO Blue, make use of our facilities, and provide them with access to our technologies, publications, and research results.

The Unique Structure of an IUCRC

The GO Blue Center is designed to bring together industry, academia, and government to advance the field of marine energy and support the growth of the blue economy. Industry partners benefit from the GO Blue Center’s focused research on innovative marine energy technologies, early and royalty-free access to intellectual property, our faculty expertise, and cutting-edge facilities that can drive commercial success. They also have the opportunity to mentor and train the next generation of engineers and scientists, ensuring that the workforce is well-equipped with the necessary skills to meet industry demands. Universities involved in the GO Blue Center significantly reduce indirect costs, secure sustainable funding streams, gain deep insights into the specific needs of the marine energy sector, and place students on hands-on research projects that directly contribute to developing these critical technologies. For government agencies, the GO Blue Center provides a platform to maximize the impact of public research investments, build vital networks with industry leaders and stakeholders, and train a workforce capable of driving the sector forward. The GO Blue Center will host an IAB meeting twice every year, rotating among the three sites, to evaluate the project progress and initiate new research activities. Through this collaborative framework, the GO Blue Center is uniquely positioned to accelerate the commercialization of marine energy technologies, foster economic growth in coastal communities, and contribute to the global effort to combat climate change

Research Thrusts and Broader Impacts

The GO Blue Center will focus on three primary research thrusts: developing marine energy technology, powering the blue economy, and assessing the societal, environmental, and economic impacts. The center’s research will not only advance marine energy but also empower coastal communities, support offshore aquaculture, and decarbonize maritime transportation. Moreover, the GO Blue Center is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce by integrating experiential learning and professional skills training. This includes creating opportunities for students, particularly underrepresented minorities, to engage in internships, community outreach, and entrepreneurship. The center will also play a vital role in supporting the economic growth of underserved coastal communities through its research and outreach activities. The GO Blue Center will provide continuing education and industry-academic exchange opportunities via annual workshops, monthly seminar series, and professional short courses. 

Collaboration and Leadership

The GO Blue Center is uniquely strengthened by the complementary expertise and geographic positioning of its three partner universities from Michigan, New Jersey, and Texas. Under the leadership of Prof. Lei Zuo from the University of Michigan, who will serve as the Center Director, each site university will also have a dedicated site director Prof. Muhammad Hajj, and Prof. Lea-Der Chen to manage the Center’s activities at their respective locations.

The University of Michigan, situated in the Great Lakes region, brings unparalleled strengths in marine hydrodynamics, naval architecture, and maritime transportation, and a comprehensive ecosystem of engineering and environmental science programs. With its extensive facilities like the Marine Hydrodynamics Laboratory and over 140 years of history of leading marine-related research, the University of Michigan is well-equipped to lead innovation in marine energy technologies. Stevens Institute of Technology, located on the Atlantic Coast in New Jersey, contributes its renowned Davidson Laboratory, one of the largest and most respected ocean engineering research facilities in the USA. Stevens has a rich history of experimental hydrodynamics and a strong focus on coastal climate modeling, making it an ideal partner for developing and testing new marine energy systems. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, a Minority-Serving Institution on the Gulf Coast, adds a crucial dimension with its focus on coastal resilience, diversity in workforce development, and emerging blue energy technologies. Together, these institutions form a powerful alliance, covering a broad geographical spectrum and offering a diverse set of skills and resources that position the GO Blue Center to lead in advancing marine energy and the blue economy.

Conclusion

The establishment of the GO Blue Center marks a pivotal step forward in the pursuit of sustainable marine energy solutions and the growth of the blue economy. By harnessing the combined strengths of the three universities, the center is uniquely positioned to address the complex challenges of marine energy innovation and commercialization. Under the leadership of Prof. Lei Zuo, this initiative not only aims to advance technological breakthroughs in marine energy but also to foster economic growth in coastal communities and contribute to global efforts in combating climate change. As the center embarks on its mission, it stands poised to make a lasting impact on the future of sustainable energy and the vitality of our planet’s oceans and lakes. GO Blue faculty and students at the three universities are thrilled by the opportunity to contribute to research in support of the blue economy through unmatched research and education programs, technology transfer, and to graduate well-trained scientists and engineers at all degree levels over the next five years.