Our research
In 2019, our team began studying the feasibility of offshore wind development for Northern California and the US West Coast. Since then, we have conducted over 30 analyses on topics ranging from energy generation and transmission to economics and job development; port and coastal infrastructure and permitting to environmental and geological systems; and community needs and goals for shared ocean resources.
- Download the reports.
- If you’re interested in receiving updates on our newly released reports and upcoming events, please email us at schatzenergy@humboldt.edu.
Updates
April 2026: We have updated our list of internship and professional development opportunities in the offshore wind sector. If you would like to receive update notices or would like to add your opportunity to upcoming lists, please contact our POWC team.
Partners and funding
Key collaborators on our offshore wind studies have included: the American Bureau of Shipping, H.T. Harvey and Associates, MARE, Mott MacDonald, Moffat & Nichol, National Laboratory of the Rockies (NREL), Pacific Gas & Electric, Pacific Northwest National Labs (PNNL), Principle Power, and Quanta Technology
Our research, community engagement, and student training programs are funded by: the California Energy Commission, California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research, California Ocean Protection Council, Redwood Region Climate and Community Resilience (CORE) Hub, and private donors.
Webinar videos
Note: Some webinar slide decks may be available on request.
- Offshore Wind Jobs: Preparing Northern California Tribes and Local Communities (November 2025)
- Permitting for Offshore Wind Port Infrastructure Projects (July 10, 2025)
- Offshore Grid Connection: Cable Laying and Monitoring (May 2025)
- West Coast Perspectives on Ocean Renewable Energy (February 2025)
- Seabirds in 3D: a framework to evaluate collision vulnerability in future offshore wind developments (September 2024)
- Offshore wind and transmission infrastructure in northwestern CA (March 2024)
- Transmission alternatives for California north coast offshore wind (May 2022)
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 (September 2020)
- Ecological and Geological Environment (September 2020)
- Port and Coastal Infrastructure (September 2020)
- Community Perspectives on Regional Impacts and Opportunities (October 2020)
- Reflections and Next Steps (October 2020)
