Abstract
Offshore wind energy offers a significant opportunity for renewable energy development in the Great Lakes. However, progress has been hampered by a range of challenges. This paper delves into the environmental, technological, infrastructural, regulatory, and human factors that have constrained offshore wind development in the region. While some aspects of these challenges have been studied, there remains a significant need for a comprehensive review that surveys the available data, tools, and technical approaches. This paper aims to fill this gap by systematically analyzing and presenting the challenges, along with the technical approaches, resources, and potential solutions required to overcome them. Special attention is given to address the freshwater ice challenge, a complex and critical issue that has not been fully addressed in the existing literature. By synthesizing current research and available methodologies, this paper seeks to provide a valuable resource for stakeholders involved in offshore wind energy development in the Great Lakes. The outcomes are intended to highlight the essential tools and approaches needed to overcome the existing barriers and unlock the substantial offshore wind energy potential of the Great Lakes. Additionally, the technologies and methodologies reviewed in this paper can be applied to Arctic regions or other bodies of water experiencing similar weather conditions and water/ocean dynamics.