Strategic Initiative Fund (SIF)

Energysheds: Planning for Michigan's Energy Future

This initiative will help Southeast Michigan communities understand and discuss how rising electricity demand from data centers and AI-enabled services is reshaping energy systems and land use. Using the concept of energysheds as a place-based planning framework, the project makes energy demand, infrastructure, and land-use connections more visible and grounded in place, supporting stakeholder-informed scenario planning to explore renewable energy siting, community benefits, and land-use tradeoffs.

The initiative centers on participatory scenario planning and visual communication as tools for public engagement, while integrating graduate and undergraduate education with real planning challenges. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and stakeholder dialogue, the project positions U-M to test a practical, public-facing approach to energy planning that informs decision-making and builds a foundation for future research and engagement.

Planned outcomes include:

• a clearly articulated energyshed framework for rising energy demand in Southeast Michigan
• a set of evaluated multifunctional energy landscape scenarios
• a prototype modeling and visualization workflow supporting participatory planning
• a public-facing visual or digital exhibit
• a transferable engagement and design methodology.

The project also aims to build meaningful student engagement at all levels and establish a strong foundation for future external funding and scaling, supporting public understanding of energy systems and strengthening participatory planning practices.