Offshore Wind Energy and California Central Coast
Our lab group has been examining the potential to develop offshore renewable energy in our region, as well as the potential impacts of that development. First, we sought to evaluate the potential for wind energy along the California central coast using realistic scenarios for energy production. Existing predictions of wind power has used average wind speeds, but since we know the wind does not always blow at average speeds, estimates of power from these averages will be inaccurate. We developed an approach to more accurately predict power with precision in space and through time. Yi-Hui, our fantastic research scientist, led that work, published here.
Next, we took our more precise estimates of wind, and used them to predict how much power these winds could generate from our local waters, and then how well that power lined up with statewide demand for electricity. Interestingly, we found that offshore winds power production is strongest during spring and summer evenings, which happens to coincide both with the peak in demand (since people often turn on lots of appliances when they get home from work), and with the drop in solar production as the sun sets. These findings suggest that offshore wind will complement solar well, and have a high economic value. Yi-Hui led this one too, published here. We've also made some estimates of just how much total electricity some of the areas off of our coast can generate. Spoiler alert: it's substantial (possibly well over 5% of California's total electricity needs), and we'll post that paper with all of the details as soon as it's published.
Next, we are examining how development of offshore wind might impacts other users of ocean space, including fisheries, marine mammals, seabirds, shipping, and others. We're using a variety of datasets to see if there are places that have high value from wind power and low impacts on the other users. Those places would be the 'win-win' locations, where offshore wind development will have the lowest environmental and socioeconomic impacts. That work is in progress, but we're hoping to have some results to share soon.
So far, most of our work has focused on the Central Coast, but we can apply the framework we've developed to other parts of the West Coast, the U.S., or really, anywhere in the world.
Next, we took our more precise estimates of wind, and used them to predict how much power these winds could generate from our local waters, and then how well that power lined up with statewide demand for electricity. Interestingly, we found that offshore winds power production is strongest during spring and summer evenings, which happens to coincide both with the peak in demand (since people often turn on lots of appliances when they get home from work), and with the drop in solar production as the sun sets. These findings suggest that offshore wind will complement solar well, and have a high economic value. Yi-Hui led this one too, published here. We've also made some estimates of just how much total electricity some of the areas off of our coast can generate. Spoiler alert: it's substantial (possibly well over 5% of California's total electricity needs), and we'll post that paper with all of the details as soon as it's published.
Next, we are examining how development of offshore wind might impacts other users of ocean space, including fisheries, marine mammals, seabirds, shipping, and others. We're using a variety of datasets to see if there are places that have high value from wind power and low impacts on the other users. Those places would be the 'win-win' locations, where offshore wind development will have the lowest environmental and socioeconomic impacts. That work is in progress, but we're hoping to have some results to share soon.
So far, most of our work has focused on the Central Coast, but we can apply the framework we've developed to other parts of the West Coast, the U.S., or really, anywhere in the world.
Want to learn more?
Contact Ben, here.
Contact Ben, here.