Schatz Energy Research Center

Name

Schatz Energy Research Center

Legal name

Schatz Energy Research Center

Website

https://schatzcenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Renewable Energy Research and Engineering Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169), Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Biomass Electric Power Generation (221117), Solar Electric Power Generation (221114)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991)

akta.pro primary industry

Renewable Policy & Regulatory Strategy (National/State/Local) (EUAMANAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Permitting, Siting & Environmental Impact (EIA/NEPA) Advisory (EUAMANAB), Siting, Resource Assessment & Environmental Tech R&D (Remote Sensing, Wake Modeling, Wildlife Mitigation) (EUAMAOAJ)

Keywords

• Renewable energy research
• Microgrid development services
• Off-grid solar testing
• Offshore wind feasibility studies
• Biomass emissions modeling

Headquarters

HQ city

Arcata

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Research Grants: Primary funding from government grants including California Energy Commission EPIC program, Department of Energy GRIP program, California Air Resources Board, and California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Funds applied research and project development.
2. Consulting and Engineering Services: Provides technical consulting, engineering design, and project management services to partner organizations including tribal governments, transit authorities, and utilities.
3. Product Testing Services: Testing services for off-grid solar product manufacturers through the VeraSol quality assurance program, including technical lead services and lab testing.
4. Graduate Fellowship Program: Four graduate fellowships associated with the Center: Blue Lake Rancheria Fellowship ($15,000), Christina and Jack West Fellowship ($19,000), Donald and Andrea Tuttle Fellowship ($15,000), and Schatz Energy Fellowship ($15,000). Fellows work as research assistants.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Schatz Energy Research Center is a nonprofit applied research and project development center that designs, deploys, and studies clean and renewable energy systems. Its core offerings include microgrid development and deployment for tribal communities and rural areas, off-grid solar product testing and quality assurance through VeraSol, offshore wind feasibility and environmental research, zero-emission transportation design, and bioenergy/land use emissions analysis. The Center operates through Cal Poly Humboldt Sponsored Programs Foundation as a 501(c)(3) organization and is funded primarily through government grants and partner-funded projects.

Product overview

Schatz Energy Research Center is a research and development organization (not a unified software product) focused on applied research and project development for clean and renewable energy. Their portfolio comprises multiple distinct project categories and programs: microgrid development and deployment (including Blue Lake Rancheria Microgrid, Redwood Coast Airport Microgrid, and Cal Poly Humboldt Campus Microgrid); off-grid energy access through the VeraSol quality assurance program and solar product testing lab; offshore wind feasibility studies and environmental research; sustainable transportation design including hydrogen fueling infrastructure and fuel cell electric bus engineering; and land use/bioenergy analysis including the C-BREC modeling tool. Projects like the TERAS tribal microgrid initiative represent major infrastructure deployments rather than software products. The Center operates as a technology integrator and research institution rather than a product company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Blue Lake Rancheria Microgrid Solar-based microgrid deployment for the Blue Lake Rancheria Tribe, enabling the campus to function as a Red Cross emergency evacuation center with renewable generation, battery storage, and automatic islanding capability. The microgrid is designed for tribal governments seeking energy resilience during grid outages.
• Redwood Coast Airport Microgrid (RCAM) Front-of-the-meter multi-customer microgrid project at the California Redwood Coast-Humboldt County Airport, integrating solar PV, battery storage, advanced microgrid controls, and EV charging for community-choice aggregator (RCEA) and utility customers. Used as a test bed for tariffs, policies, and operating procedures for microgrid integration in California.
• Cal Poly Humboldt Campus Microgrid Campus microgrid designed and deployed for Cal Poly Humboldt, providing 2.1 MW AC solar generation, 5.8 MW battery with 11.6 MWh storage capacity, and enabling up to two days of independent clean energy operation for the university campus.
• Tribal Energy Resilience and Sovereignty (TERAS) Microgrid Program Nested microgrid program developing renewable energy and energy storage infrastructure for the Hoopa, Yurok, and Karuk Tribes in Northern California, including front-of-the-meter microgrids, distribution circuit upgrades, and complex controls for rugged, wildfire-prone rural environments. Funded by DOE GRIP and designed to support tribal energy sovereignty.
• VeraSol Quality Assurance Program Quality assurance program for off-grid solar products and systems, providing testing, benchmarking, and communication of product quality and performance for international markets serving unelectrified populations in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East. Schatz Center serves as technical lead with the program's lab testing operations.
• Off-Grid Solar Products Test Lab Off-grid solar product testing laboratory providing standardized performance and quality verification for solar home systems, lanterns, and related products. Supports the VeraSol Quality Assurance Program and contributed to development of IEC/TS 62257-9-5 and IEC/TS 62257-9-8 international standards.
• C-BREC Model (California Biomass Residue Emissions Characterization) Modeling tool that quantifies the climate and air quality impact of biomass mobilization compared to pile burning, in-field decay, and wildfire. Generates emissions time-series and reports net CO2-equivalent emission values for bioenergy and biomaterial product uses. Available as a web tool and open-source Python codebase on GitHub.
• Humboldt Transit Authority Zero-Emission Transit Design Owner-engineer consulting and engineering services for Humboldt Transit Authority's transition to a zero-emission fleet, including design of hydrogen fueling station infrastructure, fuel cell electric bus integration, and project management for a $39M deployment of 11 FCEBs.
• Offshore Wind Research Studies Feasibility, transmission, environmental, and economic research services for California offshore wind development, including the Seabirds in 3D environmental monitoring framework, port and coastal infrastructure analysis, and ratepayer impact studies for the Humboldt Wind Energy Area and California north coast.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% reduction in outage hours across microgrid service area (TERAS project)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E)coreTechnology or IntegrationLocal utility partner for microgrid projects including Blue Lake Rancheria and Redwood Coast Airport Microgrid. Provides utility interconnection, power distribution control center interface, and collaboration on Community Microgrid Enablement Program.
• Blue Lake Rancheria TribecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSite host and major funder of microgrid projects. Hosted award-winning low-carbon microgrid enabling campus to function as Red Cross emergency evacuation center. Partner in TERAS project expanding campus into nested microgrids.
• Redwood Coast Energy Authority (RCEA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity choice aggregator for Humboldt County owning photovoltaic arrays and battery storage at Redwood Coast Airport Microgrid. Provides $6M match funding for projects and administers TERAS award.
• Schweitzer Engineering LabsmajorTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner for Redwood Coast Airport Microgrid providing powerline recloser with advanced control systems for microgrid operations.
• TeslamajorTechnology or IntegrationBattery energy storage system provider for microgrid projects including Blue Lake Rancheria (Tesla Powerpack) and Redwood Coast Airport Microgrid.
• The Energy AuthoritymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnergy market partner for Redwood Coast Airport Microgrid, supporting CAISO wholesale market participation and ancillary services.
• TRCmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTechnical consulting partner for Redwood Coast Airport Microgrid project providing engineering and integration services.
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)coreTechnology or IntegrationFederal research laboratory partner for offshore wind feasibility studies including transmission alternatives analysis for California north coast offshore wind development.
• H.T. Harvey and AssociatescoreTechnology or IntegrationEcological consulting partner for offshore wind studies including seabird collision vulnerability framework (Seabirds in 3D) and marine entanglement environmental data analysis.
• Pacific Northwest National Labs (PNNL)majorTechnology or IntegrationNational laboratory partner contributing to offshore wind feasibility studies and analysis for Northern California and US West Coast.
• Quanta TechnologymajorTechnology or IntegrationTechnical consulting partner for offshore wind transmission studies including feasibility analysis for Humboldt Wind Energy Area.
• Mott MacDonaldmajorTechnology or IntegrationEngineering and consulting partner for offshore wind studies including port and coastal infrastructure analysis.
• Humboldt Transit AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransit agency partner for zero-emission bus transition including fuel cell electric bus testing and hydrogen fueling station design. Schatz Center serves as owner engineer for $39M project.
• New FlyermajorTechnology or IntegrationBus manufacturer partnership for extended range fuel cell electric bus (Xcelsior CHARGE FC) with 370-mile range for demanding Redwood Express routes.
• Linde Engineering North AmericamajorTechnology or IntegrationHydrogen infrastructure partner for design, construction, and liquid hydrogen deliveries for Humboldt Transit Authority fueling station with 18,000 gallon cryogenic storage.
• World Bank GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing international partner through Lighting Global/Lighting Africa/Lighting Asia initiatives managing VeraSol quality assurance program for off-grid solar products.
• CLASPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWashington DC-based non-profit partner for VeraSol quality assurance program strengthening engagement with governments and industry, expanding into appliances and productive uses.
• Lawrence Berkeley National LaboratorymajorTechnology or IntegrationFederal research partner for early off-grid solar work through Lumina Project and ongoing collaboration on solar product testing standards.
• Hoopa Valley TribecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTERAS project partner receiving nested microgrid solution for 142-mile Hoopa 1101 distribution circuit serving three tribes with anticipated 90% reduction in outage hours.
• Yurok TribecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTERAS project partner with tribally-owned microgrid to power homes, schools, government buildings, businesses, and community centers on reservation.
• Karuk TribecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTERAS project partner with microgrid energy to support tribal sovereignty for Orleans community facing frequent power grid blackouts.
• Fermata EnergymajorTechnology or IntegrationVehicle-to-grid technology partner providing bidirectional EV chargers for Redwood Coast Airport Microgrid EV integration pilot demonstrating frequency shift controls for EV charging response.
• NissanmajorTechnology or IntegrationElectric vehicle partner for V2G demonstration providing Nissan Leaf EVs with bidirectional charging capability for microgrid energy management.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI): Independent nonprofit applied-research and consulting organization focused on clean energy transformation. Highly comparable to Schatz in combining research, technical project support, and policy advisory across microgrids, renewable energy, and equitable energy access.
• Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI): Independent, nonprofit energy R&D organization serving the electricity sector. Comparable in conducting member-funded and grant-funded research on grid integration, microgrids, and renewable energy that informs utility and regulatory practice.
• CLASP: Nonprofit that partners with Schatz on the VeraSol program to develop quality standards and policy for off-grid solar and energy-efficient appliances. Closely comparable in mission around clean energy access and appliance/equipment performance verification.
• Clean Energy Group: Nonprofit clean energy research and policy organization focused on equitable deployment, resilience, and storage. Comparable in combining policy analysis with on-the-ground project support for community and low-income energy resilience.
• Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA): Nonprofit coalition of state clean energy funds and programs. Comparable as a research/coordination body that supports state-level deployment of microgrids, offshore wind, and clean energy in the same policy ecosystems Schatz operates in.
• Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA): Nonprofit organization providing research, education, and technical assistance to utilities on clean energy integration, microgrids, and grid modernization. Comparable in being a nonprofit intermediary between utilities, regulators, and technology providers.
• Scale Microgrids: Vertically integrated microgrid developer financing, designing, and operating community and commercial microgrids. Comparable in delivering front-of-the-meter and behind-the-meter microgrid projects for community and institutional customers.

Emerging players

• HOMER Energy by UL Solutions: Developer of HOMER microgrid and distributed-energy modeling software used for design and optimization of hybrid renewable microgrids. Comparable in providing technical microgrid design and optimization tools, though as a software vendor rather than a deployer.
• BoxPower: Provider of pre-engineered solar microgrid and storage products for remote, tribal, and rural customers. Comparable in deploying solar+battery microgrids for off-grid and resilient applications in similar customer segments to Schatz's tribal and rural community work.

Broad incumbents

• Schneider Electric — Microgrid & Energy Solutions: Global energy management and automation company with significant microgrid, power-conversion, and grid-integration offerings. Comparable as a broad incumbent providing microgrid control systems, power conversion hardware, and grid integration services that overlap with Schatz's MGMS and microgrid deployment work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• GitHubgithub.com/schatzcenter
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@SchatzEnergyResearchCenter
• Facebookfacebook.com/schatzcenter
• Instagraminstagram.com/schatzenergy
• Xx.com/schatzenergy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/schatzcenter

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Schatz Energy Research Center