Wave Energy Company Partners with University of Michigan on AI System
Israel-based Eco Wave Power explores AI partnership with University of Michigan while local communities resist data center expansion across the state.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN — An Israel-based wave energy company has entered discussions with the University of Michigan and Florida Atlantic University to advance development of an artificial intelligence system designed to optimize wave energy operations.
Eco Wave Power is exploring partnerships with both universities to develop WaveGPT, an operational intelligence system for wave energy infrastructure. The company has filed a Testing and Expertise for Marine Energy Application with Florida Atlantic University and is considering a joint grant application aimed at creating a wave-powered coastal data center.
Cannabis Facility Conversion in Kalamazoo
Harbor Farmz, a marijuana processing company in Kalamazoo, announced it is seeking to sell its facility to data center developers. The company issued a press release on June 9 stating it was engaging with developers, infrastructure investors, commercial real estate professionals, site selectors and technology-sector stakeholders.
CEO Michael Ward told MLive that the decision comes amid a saturated cannabis market. Ward said if the building sells, Harbor Farmz would continue operations at another location.
Township Resistance to Data Center Projects
Lyon Township residents packed a planning meeting on June 8 to oppose a proposed six-building data center development. The project, planned by Verrus and Walbridge, would span 1.8 million square feet along Grand River Avenue.
The developer’s legal team had sent a letter demanding the township’s planning committee take action on the proposal. State Senator and Michigan Republican Party Chair Jim Runestad, who represents White Lake, spoke among those opposing the project.
Similarly, hundreds of residents filled a barn in Lowell Township as the planning commission heard Microsoft’s proposal for a five-building data center campus. While Microsoft had not yet sought approval for its site plan and zoning ordinance amendment request at the June 8 meeting, residents in attendance made clear their opposition to the project.
The Vevay Township Board of Trustees unanimously voted against entering negotiations with the City of Mason for a land transfer agreement related to data center development, according to the report.
The wave energy partnership offers a new approach to powering data infrastructure, as Michigan continues to see both corporate interest in data center development and community resistance to large-scale projects.
