Selected Work
CASE STUDY 01
Permitting Strategy for Battery Storage Projects
❋ THE CHALLENGEThe battery energy storage industry faced a shift in public and regulatory perception following a series of high-profile facility incidents. A leading developer was encountering organized opposition at the permitting stage that was proving difficult to counter once it gained momentum.
❋ WHAT WE DIDShearwater designed a research program to understand how communities evaluate safety, risk, and local impact.
We conducted focus groups and polling with civically engaged residents in key markets, using simulated permitting scenarios where participants evaluated a live project proposal. We tested messaging, safety communication approaches, and community benefit strategies to understand what builds support and what leads to opposition.
❋ RESULTResearch findings offered a clear picture of where majority support was achievable, what it would take to earn and hold it, and how to engage proactively before opposition could consolidate. Shearwater developed a repeatable permitting strategy, including audience-specific messaging, outreach sequencing, and response guidance.
The developer is now applying this approach across multiple markets and early results are strong.
CASE STUDY 02
Lending Product and Marketing Strategy for a Clean Energy Lender
❋ THE CHALLENGEClean energy lending is competitive, and developers have more financing options than ever. A leading lender needed to understand how developers actually evaluate and select financing partners — and where its products and positioning were falling short.
❋ WHAT WE DIDShearwater led focus groups and in-depth interviews with developers across regions, project types, and company sizes to understand how they evaluate financing options and what drives their decisions. We mapped differences across geographies, customer segments, and deal structures to identify where the lender's offerings aligned with developer priorities — and where they didn't.
❋ RESULTThe research surfaced specific gaps in product structure, pricing positioning, and customer outreach — and identified underserved segments with strong growth potential. The lender used the findings to refine its product offerings and sharpen its go-to-market approach.
CASE STUDY 03
Refreshing a Foundation's Policy Strategy
❋ THE CHALLENGEA major policy-focused foundation was navigating a pivotal moment. Shifts in the national policy environment had disrupted existing priorities, and leadership needed a rigorous, evidence-based process to define where the foundation could have the most impact over the next five years.
❋ WHAT WE DIDShearwater designed a blended research program that engaged grantees, external influencers, and policy experts. We gathered structured input on past learnings, emerging policy priorities, and how the foundation could strengthen its role — synthesizing perspectives from across the field to give leadership a clear picture of where its resources could matter most.
❋ RESULTShearwater’s analysis informed a five-year strategic plan presented to and approved by the board, with a committed annual budget of $20 million.
Facing a similar challenge?
If you are working through a similar challenge — in permitting, policy, or market strategy — we can help you understand your audience and what it will take to succeed.