The Great Lakes region, a treasure trove of freshwater, is witnessing a surge in interest for a unique form of clean energy: submersible hydroelectric technology. This innovative approach to harnessing power from the region's waterways is gaining traction due to rising electricity demands and costs, particularly in urban centers like Chicago, Toronto, Montreal, and Detroit. While traditional hydropower has long been associated with large-scale projects, the Great Lakes offer a different kind of opportunity. The region's five lakes, despite lacking significant tides or currents, are connected by waterways that do possess the potential for hydroelectric power generation. Among the companies leading this charge is the Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC), which has successfully deployed submersible hydroelectric projects in Alaska and Maine. Now, they are setting their sights on the St. Lawrence River in Montreal, with plans to begin operating two hydroelectricity devices later this year. What makes this particularly fascinating is the technology's ability to tap into the consistent, high-velocity water of the St. Lawrence River, offering a substantial 60-90 megawatts of resource potential in the Montreal area alone. This is a significant development, especially considering the growing demand for clean energy solutions. The devices, featuring carbon fiber turbines inspired by lawnmower blades, harness the flow of water to generate electricity. The rise of marine power generation is not limited to the Great Lakes region. Companies like Orbital Marine Power are exploring tidal energy in the Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia, with plans to deploy up to three O2-X tidal devices. This trend is further supported by the increasing popularity and efficiency of current- and tidal-powered hydroelectric generators worldwide. In Scotland, for instance, the world's most powerful tidal hydro generator can power up to 2,000 homes, while in Korea, the Sihwa Lake tidal power station generates a substantial 550 GW of electricity, equivalent to 862,000 barrels of oil. However, the Great Lakes present unique challenges and opportunities. The region's cities and states in the US, unlike their Canadian counterparts, lack a culture of low-cost electricity generation through hydropower. This results in longer licensing processes, which can take an average of eight years for a hydroelectricity facility to become fully operational. Environmental concerns also arise, particularly regarding the presence of spinning turbines in waterways that are home to diverse fish species and wildlife. Despite these challenges, ORPC claims that its turbines in Alaska have not caused any recorded injuries to fish, even in waterways through which millions of sockeye salmon migrate annually. Scientists, like Michael Bernitsas from the University of Michigan, are working on innovative solutions to harness hydro energy from slow-moving water. Bernitsas' Vivace technology, for instance, can generate kinetic energy from water moving at half a meter per second, opening up new possibilities for hydroelectric power generation. The absence of salt in Great Lakes water is a significant advantage, as it eliminates corrosion concerns and extends the lifespan of materials, reducing overall costs. Additionally, the region's tidal projects can be anchored to the river or lake bed, avoiding issues with surface ice in winter. The Trump administration's elimination of federal subsidies for solar and wind energy ventures has unexpectedly boosted the competitiveness of hydroelectric technology. ORPC, for instance, has seen a surge in interest from entities in over 70 countries, highlighting the growing appeal of this clean energy solution. In conclusion, the Great Lakes region is poised to become a hub for innovative hydroelectric technology, offering a sustainable and reliable source of clean energy. As the world seeks to reduce its carbon footprint, the region's unique opportunities and challenges will shape the future of clean energy generation, providing a compelling case for further exploration and investment in submersible hydroelectric technology.
