The Great Lakes region is exploring the deployment of submersible hydroelectric technology as electricity demand increases across major cities including Chicago, Toronto, Montreal and Detroit.

The region, which contains some of the world's largest freshwater deposits, is seeing growing interest in next-generation hydroelectric solutions amid rising energy costs and increased demand for electricity.

While the five Great Lakes themselves lack the significant tides or currents typically required for traditional hydropower generation, several waterways that connect the lakes may offer opportunities for hydroelectric development.

Supporters of the technology suggest that submersible hydroelectric systems could play an important role in regional clean energy efforts, particularly given the concentration of large population centers along the Great Lakes shoreline.

The initiative comes as energy providers across the region seek alternatives to meet growing electricity demand from residential and commercial users in the Great Lakes metropolitan areas.