About the Project

Inspiration

Our project was inspired by the challenges faced by shoreline communities around the Great Lakes. These areas often experience higher electricity costs, unreliable power, and limited access to effective renewable energy sources.

We noticed that solar energy is less effective in northern regions due to snow and shorter winter days. Traditional wind energy solutions also face issues such as zoning restrictions, noise concerns, and high costs. However, near-shore areas have strong and consistent wind resources that are not being fully utilized.

This led us to explore how we could design a solution that takes advantage of this untapped energy in a way that is practical, affordable, and beneficial for local communities.

How We Built Our Project

We designed a system of small, floating wind turbines placed near the shoreline. These turbines are mounted on buoyant platforms and positioned close enough to land to efficiently deliver electricity.

The system works by capturing wind energy through rotating blades, converting it into electrical energy, and transmitting it to nearby buildings through underwater cables. The energy can then be used directly or managed through microgrid systems and battery storage for stability.

Our design focuses on being scalable and cost-effective. Multiple turbines can be grouped together in clusters, allowing the system to grow based on energy demand. We also prioritized safety and environmental impact by using low-profile designs and eco-friendly materials.

In addition, we incorporated an AI-based system that predicts energy production using wind and weather data. This system helps optimize energy usage and reduce costs by adjusting how and when electricity is distributed.

What We Learned

Through this project, we learned how renewable energy systems function in real-world conditions. We gained a deeper understanding of how wind turbines convert kinetic energy into electrical energy and how factors like wind consistency and location affect performance.

We also learned about the limitations of existing renewable solutions and why certain technologies are not effective in all environments. This helped us better understand the importance of designing solutions tailored to specific geographic and environmental conditions.

Additionally, we developed skills in engineering design, data analysis, and problem-solving. Working as a team allowed us to combine different ideas and improve our solution through collaboration.

Challenges We Faced

One of the biggest challenges was dealing with the variability of wind. Since wind speeds can change throughout the day, ensuring consistent energy production required careful planning and the inclusion of backup systems like batteries.

Another challenge was designing a system that could withstand harsh weather conditions, including strong winds, ice, and storms. We had to consider durability, safety, and long-term maintenance.

We also faced challenges related to real-world adoption. Some communities may be hesitant to adopt new technology due to concerns about cost, reliability, or visual impact. To address this, we focused on making our design low-cost, quiet, and minimally intrusive.

Finally, balancing efficiency, cost, and environmental impact required trade-offs. We had to continuously refine our design to make it both practical and sustainable.

Built With

• canva
• doe
• nrel