Offshore Wind Plants in Freshwater Bodies: A Look at Lake Champlain

Renewable energy is a growing topic as climate change continues to have greater impacts on the world. As the need for clean energy grows, so does the implementation of energy plants in unconventional places. Offshore energy is an increasingly important source of electricity. Research shows that offshore wind plants can provide electricity to over one million homes. This study aims to take the growing industry of offshore energy and apply it to smaller freshwater bodies such as lakes. Lake Champlain, a lake which borders Vermont, New York, and Quebec, was used as a base to determine specific environmental impacts, efficiencies, and potential community responses.