Schatz Energy Probes California’s Offshore Wind Feasibility

The Schatz Energy Research Center is carrying out a study on the wind resource and transmission constraints related to offshore wind in California.

The research is part of three complementary studies that the U.S. center is conducting to assess offshore wind feasibility for the northern California coast.

It is being funded by a USD 150,000 grant from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), with matching funds from Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E).

This is the second study in the series and will focus on determining how offshore wind generation would align with regional and state energy needs.

Additionally, it will look into the economic viability and cost of electricity from three differently sized wind farms for the specific context of Humboldt County.

Transmission and interconnection upgrades and associated costs will be estimated with collaboration from PG&E, as well as the potential of transmitting energy to the San Francisco Bay Area via undersea cable.

According to the research center, previous work characterized the general wind resource on the north coast, but project sizes and locations that are relevant to the current area being considered for lease are now be studied.

A final report for the wind study will be delivered to BOEM in May 2020, Schatz Energy said.

To remind, in October last year, BOEM issued a call to identify companies interested in commercial wind energy leases within three proposed areas off central and northern California, which together comprise approximately 1,073 square miles or 687,823 acres.

The call came shortly after California committed to achieving a 100% renewable energy target by the end of 2045.