Latest News
If you’re interested in receiving updates on our newly released reports and upcoming events, please email us at windstudies@schatzcenter.org.
Internships and professional development
We recently compiled a list of internship and professional development opportunities in the offshore wind sector (updated as of March 2025). If you are interested in receiving updates, or would like to add your opportunity to upcoming lists, please contact our POWC team.
POWC Offshore Wind Webinar Series
Monday, May 12 at 2:00 pm Pacific: What does it take to grid-connect offshore? Cable Laying and Monitoring at PacWave (webinar)
Presented by Dan Hellin, Director of the PacWave wave energy test facility, and Sarah Henkel, Associate Director of the Pacific Marine Energy Center at Oregon State University
PacWave is a state-of-the-art, pre-permitted, grid-connected, wave energy test facility. It is being developed in partnership with the US Department of Energy, the State of Oregon, Oregon State University, and local stakeholders. The open ocean test site consists of four berths, which occupy two square nautical miles of ocean with a cable to shore of approximately 12 miles in length (for each berth). Drilling for cable conduits began in summer 2021 and cable laying was completed in fall 2024; however, permitting and cable procurement started long before that. This webinar will describe the cabling process, including pre-installation environmental surveys and post-installation monitoring. Register here to attend (and to receive an update when the recording is available).
For questions or accessibility requests, contact schatzenergy@humboldt.edu or call 707-826-4345.
This webinar is being hosted by the Pacific Offshore Wind Consortium (POWC, pronounced pow-sea), which is a joint effort between three research centers: the Schatz Energy Research Center at Cal Poly Humboldt, the Pacific Marine Energy Center at Oregon State University, and the Center for Coastal Marine Sciences at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
Our research
In 2019, our team began conducting a range of studies to assess the feasibility of offshore wind development for the region off Humboldt Bay, California. Our first 24 studies included energy generation and transmission; economics and job development; port and coastal infrastructure; environmental and geological systems; and community needs and goals for shared ocean resources.
In May 2021, we completed a preliminary feasibility assessment for Del Norte County.
In March of 2022, we completed an updated transmission study that looked at generation potential within current infrastructure constraints.
In January 2023, we released an analysis of Competitive Offshore Wind Leases on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf.
In October 2023, we released updated and expanded transmission analyses for Northern California and Southern Oregon.
Partners
Key collaborators on our offshore wind studies include:
- American Bureau of Shipping
- H.T. Harvey and Associates
- MARE
- Mott MacDonald
- Moffat & Nichol
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
- Pacific Gas & Electric
- Pacific Northwest National Labs (PNNL)
- Principle Power
- Quanta Technology
Funding
Our research, community engagement, and student training programs are funded by:
- California Energy Commission
- California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research
- California Ocean Protection Council
- Redwood Region Climate and Community Resilience Hub
- Private donors
Interested to contribute to our offshore wind programs? Please contact us to learn about ways you can engage.
Presentation resources
West Coast Perspectives on Ocean Renewable Energy: February 25, 2025
Seabirds in 3D: a framework to evaluate collision vulnerability in future offshore wind developments: September 24, 2024
Offshore wind and transmission infrastructure in northwestern CA: March 25, 2024
Transmission analyses: slide decks from recent presentations
- American Association of University Women: February 2, 2024
- Tribal Offshore Wind Summit: January 30, 2024
Transmission alternatives for California north coast offshore wind: May 25, 2022
- Video recording
- Slides: California North Coast Offshore Wind — An Introduction
- Slides: California North Coast Offshore Wind — Transmission Alternatives
- Download the reports
Exploring the Feasibility of Offshore Wind Energy for the CA North Coast
In the fall of 2020, our team hosted a series of five webinar workshops on the feasibility of offshore wind energy development on California’s north coast.
In each webinar, we shared topical findings from our recently conducted studies, followed by a moderated panel discussion, and then a community Q&A.
Energy Production and Delivery, and Economic Development (9/14/20)
Ecological and Geological Environment (9/21/20)
Port and Coastal Infrastructure (9/28/20)
Community Perspectives on Regional Impacts and Opportunities (10/5/20)
Reflections and Next Steps (10/19/20)
