The School of Freshwater Sciences offers a graduate “Practicum” course. Professor Scanlan designed the practicum to model a water consulting firm with public-sector clients. In Spring 2023, the graduate students donated their time to the City of Milwaukee’s Environmental Collaboration Office to conduct a preliminary analysis of the feasibility of offshore wind in Lake Michigan. Students formed an interdisciplinary team to investigate the wind and power potential at various points offshore and identified a zone that minimizes potential harm to the ecosystem, aesthetics, and navigation. The first-of-its-kind report includes a wide variety of preliminary evaluations for offshore wind in Lake Michigan, including: permitting, wind analysis and power generation potential, environmental considerations, funding options, cost-benefits, and stakeholder engagement approaches. Based on their research, they conclude that offshore wind at least 6 miles off the coast of Milwaukee and optimally around 12 miles out could produce significant renewable energy, especially in winter when solar is at its lowest. They offer recommendations to maximize renewable energy benefits, while reducing ecosystem costs.
Read the full story here.
You can also view the complete feasibility assessment here:
Milwaukee Offshore Wind Project Feasibility Report (PDF)
Citation: Bevington, J., Brockley, E., DeYoung, C., Doberstein, A., Hartwig, N., Thurston, R. (2023). Lake Michigan Offshore Wind Project Feasibility Report. University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee Publications”