A Reference Floating HVDC Substation Design for California
Summary
SCH Number
2026010924
Public Agency
California Energy Commission
Document Title
A Reference Floating HVDC Substation Design for California
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
1/28/2026
Document Description
This project will develop a reference floating high voltage direct current (HVDC) substation design for California's floating offshore wind farms, enabling the HVDC benefits of lowering ratepayer costs associated with transmission of offshore wind generation to shore, improving electrical efficiency, and supporting grid stability and reliability. The open-source design process will broadly explore different options for the substation's subsystems (mooring lines, power cables, platform structure, and electrical equipment) an identify an optimal design tailored for California's offshore conditions.
Contact Information
Name
Nathan Lubega
Agency Name
California Energy Commission
Job Title
Electric Generation System Specialist I
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Name
Ericka Lozon
Agency Name
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Job Title
Principal Investigator
Contact Types
Project Applicant
Phone
Email
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Arcata, San Diego
Counties
Humboldt, San Diego
Regions
Statewide
Zip
80021
Other Information
19001 W. 119th Ave Arvada 80007
1 Harpst St Arcata 95521
3131 Camino Del Rio N Ste 150 San Diego 92108
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15306
Reasons for Exemption
California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15306, Information Collection, provides that projects which consist of basic data collection, research, experimental management, and resource evaluation activities which do not result in a serious or major disturbance to an environmental resource are categorically exempt from the provisions of CEQA. This project involves a paper design and digital modeling of a concept floating high voltage direct current substation for floating offshore wind. The design and modeling of the substation will involve basic data collection, research, and modeling at an existing national lab facility in Colorado, existing commercial office buildings, and university campus buildings located in California.? Therefore, the project is exempt from the provisions of CEQA under section 15306.
The grant project does not include any in-ocean-water testing of substation designs, mooring, or any other equipment. The project does not include any environmental sampling (e.g., water or biota sampling, geotechnical drilling) in the environment, including in the ocean and ocean floor. This grant involves only feasibility or planning studies for possible future actions that appropriate agencies boards, or commissions have not approved, adopted, or funded. Environmental factors of this research have been considered. Therefore, the project is exempt from CEQA under the statutory exemption, Cal. Code Regs., tit 14, Section 15262, Feasibility and Planning Studies.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15301
Reasons for Exemption
California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15301, Existing Facilities, provides an exemption from CEQA for the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing structures, facilities, mechanical equipment or topographical features involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing. This project will conduct research, paper studies, and computer modeling within already existing research, office, and laboratory facilities. There will be negligible or no expansion of existing use.? Therefore, the project falls within section 15301 and will not have a significant effect on the environment.
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
PRC § § 21102, 21150; CCR., tit. 14, § 15262
Reasons for Exemption
This project does not involve impacts on any particularly sensitive environment; does not involve any cumulative impacts of successive projects of the same type in the same place that might be considered significant; does not involve unusual circumstances that might have a significant effect on the environment; will not result in damage to scenic resources within a highway officially designated as a state scenic highway; the project site is not included on any list compiled pursuant to Government Code section 65962.5; and the project will not cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource. Therefore, none of the exceptions to categorical exemptions listed in CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2 apply, and this project will not have a significant effect on the environment.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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