The Community Earth atmospheric Data System (CEDS) provides historical surface flux data that are used for general analysis and also for model validation through comparisons with observations.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has pioneered the use of observational research for evaluating energy efficient technologies in the built environment.

PNNL's Ocean Dynamics Modeling group studies coastal processes such as marine-hydrokinetic energy, coastal circulations, storm surge and extreme waves, tsunamis, sediment transport and nutrient-macroalgal dynamics.