Does Lake Erie Have Wind Turbines?

Wind power has emerged as an important renewable energy source globally, including in the Great Lakes region. Offshore wind farms in the Great Lakes can harness strong and consistent winds, while avoiding some land-use conflicts of onshore wind. Lake Erie, in particular, has been considered for proposed offshore wind projects due to its shallow depth, proximity to major population centers, and abundant wind resources. Though not without challenges, offshore wind in Lake Erie represents an opportunity to increase renewable energy production in the region.

Wind Power Potential on Lake Erie

Lake Erie has strong and consistent wind speeds that make it well-suited for offshore wind power generation. According to a wind resource assessment from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), average wind speeds over Lake Erie range from 16-17 meters per second at 90 meter hub heights [1]. This wind speed is classified as “outstanding” on the DOE’s wind resource potential scale. The wind resource over Lake Erie ranks higher than the other Great Lakes. Lake Superior has the second highest with average wind speeds around 15 m/s.

Feasibility studies conducted by the DOE find that Lake Erie has a technical offshore wind power potential of over 50 GW, more than any other Great Lake. Lake Michigan follows with around 44 GW potential. In total, the DOE estimates the five Great Lakes could support over 700 GW of offshore wind capacity [2]. With abundant wind resources and proximity to major population centers, Lake Erie is well-positioned to serve as a leader in Great Lakes offshore wind development.

Existing Wind Farms in Lake Erie

Currently, there are no operational offshore wind farms in Lake Erie. The first attempt to build an offshore wind project in the Great Lakes began in 2010 when the Lake Erie Energy Development Corporation (LEEDCo) was formed to develop the proposed Icebreaker Wind project. However, after over a decade of planning and delays, Icebreaker Wind has yet to begin construction.

While there are no existing offshore wind farms in Lake Erie yet, the Icebreaker project aims to be the first. The proposed wind farm would be located 8-10 miles offshore from Cleveland and feature six 3.45 megawatt turbines to generate 20.7 megawatts of energy. This pilot project is intended to demonstrate the viability of offshore wind in freshwater lakes. LEEDCo has partnered with Fred. Olsen Renewables on the Icebreaker Wind project.

Though initially planned to begin operations in 2017, the Icebreaker project has faced numerous regulatory and legal challenges that have delayed its development. Most recently in May 2022, the Ohio Power Siting Board rejected Icebreaker’s application, requiring more information on impacts to birds and bats. LEEDCo plans to continue pursuing approvals and hopes to begin construction within the next few years if given the greenlight.

While offshore wind development has accelerated along the U.S. coasts in recent years, the Great Lakes region has lagged behind. Proponents argue that offshore wind potential in the Great Lakes remains untapped. If approved soon, Icebreaker would represent the inaugural offshore wind project in the Great Lakes and a milestone for renewable energy in the region.[1] [2]

Proposed Wind Farms in Lake Erie

There are several wind farm projects currently proposed for Lake Erie. The most notable is the Icebreaker Wind project being developed by the Lake Erie Energy Development Corporation (LEEDCo). This project plans to install six 3.45 megawatt wind turbines in Lake Erie approximately 8-10 miles off the coast of Cleveland. The $126 million project was originally scheduled to begin construction in 2018 and be completed by 2020, but has faced delays due to regulatory and legal challenges.

In addition to Icebreaker, the LEEDCo has proposed developing a 1,000 megawatt commercial-scale wind farm in the future after the success of the Icebreaker pilot project. This would involve installing over 100 wind turbines across a large area of the Ohio waters of Lake Erie. The timeline and details for this larger scale development are still tentative.

Beyond LEEDCo, there are offshore wind lease areas that have been allocated by the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to other developers. This includes two lease areas off the coast of Cleveland totalling 328 square miles that could potentially accommodate over 1,500 megawatts of capacity.

Benefits of Offshore Wind

Offshore wind energy provides a number of benefits compared to fossil fuel energy sources. Firstly, offshore wind is a clean, renewable source of energy that does not generate any emissions. According to the National Grid, offshore wind turbines are able to generate electricity more efficiently than onshore turbines due to higher wind speeds offshore (National Grid). The development of offshore wind farms can help reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower carbon emissions.

Secondly, offshore wind projects bring substantial economic benefits to local communities. Construction and maintenance of offshore turbines creates many skilled jobs. Port cities also benefit as they can provide infrastructure for building, transporting and servicing the turbines. According to Orsted, each offshore wind project contributes millions in revenue to the local economy (Orsted).

Lastly, developing more offshore wind capacity improves energy independence and security. Wind power utilizes a free, domestically available resource, reducing the need to import fossil fuels. The American Geosciences Institute states that offshore wind could provide over 2,000 gigawatts of electricity, meeting the energy needs of millions of homes (American Geosciences Institute). Increased offshore wind development enhances energy diversity and sustainability.

Challenges and Concerns

Offshore wind farms face a number of challenges and concerns that must be addressed. One major area of concern is the environmental impact of offshore wind turbines. There are worries about the effects on marine life, birds, and other wildlife. The spinning blades can injure or kill birds and bats. Construction of the turbines can disturb seabed habitats. There are also concerns about underwater noise pollution. However, research shows that with proper planning and siting, these environmental impacts can be minimized. The wind turbines can also provide new habitat for sea life.

The fishing industry has raised concerns about offshore wind farms. They worry the turbines will make it difficult to trawl and access fishing grounds. There are concerns about navigational hazards. Again, proper planning and communication with the fishing industry can help mitigate these issues. The wind farm area can even act as a protected marine sanctuary.

Another major challenge is the startup costs of offshore wind. Building wind turbines offshore is more complex and expensive than onshore. There are costs for foundations, underwater cables, and maritime logistics. However, as the technology develops, these costs are coming down. Offshore wind is now competitive in cost with other energy sources.

Regulations and Policy

At the federal level, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is the lead agency responsible for regulating offshore wind in U.S. federal waters. According to the Congressional Research Service report Offshore Wind Energy Development: Legal Framework, BOEM oversees the federal permitting process and has promulgated rules and guidelines for offshore wind facilities. The main stages in the BOEM permitting process include planning and analysis, lease issuance, site assessment, and construction and operations. This multi-stage process provides opportunities for engagement with local communities and stakeholders.

In addition to federal regulations, states have enacted policies to encourage offshore wind development off their coasts. As reported on the BOEM Regulatory Framework and Guidelines page, some states like Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey have set offshore wind energy procurement targets. States and municipalities can also provide incentives for offshore wind projects in the form of tax credits, grants, rebates, and other benefits.

The federal government offers investment tax credits, production tax credits, loan guarantees and other incentives for offshore wind documented in BOEM’s Standards/Regulations studies. These incentives along with state and local policies aim to accelerate offshore wind development while ensuring rigorous oversight throughout the process.

Comparison to Onshore Wind

Offshore wind turbines tend to have higher wind speeds than onshore wind turbines due to less ground surface friction on the open sea. According to National Grid (2022), offshore turbines can generate up to 50% more electricity than onshore turbines since offshore wind speeds are faster and more consistent.

One challenge with offshore wind is transmitting the generated electricity back to land. Subsea cables are needed to connect offshore wind farms to onshore electricity grids, which adds complexity and cost compared to onshore wind. According to Hitachi Energy (2023), high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission technology is typically used for offshore wind farms more than 60 miles from shore.

Currently, the costs of building and maintaining offshore wind farms are higher than onshore wind farms. Offshore turbines, foundations, and installation are more expensive. However, costs have been declining as the offshore wind industry matures. Some experts predict offshore wind costs will fall below onshore wind costs in the coming years as technology improves and project scale increases.

Future Outlook

While there are currently no offshore wind farms installed in Lake Erie, projections show significant growth potential in the coming decade now that regulatory and institutional frameworks are in place. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the Biden administration has set a goal to deploy 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy nationwide by 2030, with the Great Lakes accounting for much of this expansion. https://www.energy.gov/eere/wind/articles/what-does-offshore-wind-energy-look-today

To meet the 2030 target and fully tap into Lake Erie’s wind resources, developers will need to overcome remaining challenges like public opposition in some areas, supply chain constraints for large turbine components, and high upfront capital costs. However solutions are emerging such as floating wind platforms that open up new sites, localized manufacturing, and lower-cost foundation designs. Government incentives can also help attract investment. Overall the future is bright for offshore wind on Lake Erie as technology improves and wind becomes an increasingly cost-effective means of generating clean electricity.

Conclusion

In summary, Lake Erie does currently have a handful of operational offshore wind turbines located in waters on the Canadian side. The wind turbines are part of two pilot wind farms, generating a small amount of electricity that feeds into Ontario’s power grid. However, the offshore wind resources of Lake Erie remain largely untapped. While there are proposals for additional wind farms on both the US and Canadian sides of the lake, none have been approved yet. Developers cite numerous challenges to offshore wind in Lake Erie, including regulatory hurdles, high costs compared to onshore wind, and public opposition from groups concerned about views and potential environmental impacts. Still, the long-term outlook is that Lake Erie will likely see more offshore wind development, given its excellent wind resources and close proximity to major population centers with rising energy demands. For now, Lake Erie’s offshore wind industry remains in its infancy, with just a few demonstration turbines in place. But the potential is there for far more extensive wind power development on Lake Erie in the coming decades.