WAVE ENERGY ON THE NORTH AMERICAN GREAT LAKES: NEARSHORE RESOURCE ASSESSMENTS TO INFORM INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

Wave energy offers immense potential to diversify renewable energy, but large-scale wave energy converters (WECs) face significant challenges. This study focuses on wave resource assessments in nearshore environments of the North American Great Lakes, motivated by exploring pathways for low-risk WEC technology development. Using Spotter buoys, acoustic Doppler current profilers, and numerical models (e.g., WaveWatch III), nearshore wave characteristics are analyzed to inform future sustainable WEC design. Preliminary results highlight the Great Lakes' wave energy potential, with peak power densities often exceeding 40 kW m-1. Small-scale WECs offer multiple benefits, including protecting coastlines, reducing erosion, and supplying clean energy to underserved communities. By testing in lower-energy environments, this approach reduces costs, improves efficiency, and facilitates scaling to oceanic applications. Small-scale WECs bridge critical gaps in renewable energy research, offering a practical, scalable solution to enhance energy resilience and sustainable development while supporting global efforts to transition to clean energy.