Geoff Staneff
@gstaneff.bsky.social
Former thermoelectrics and fuel cell scientist, software and data product manager; current forestry startup guy trying to reduce the impact of future wildfires. PNW based, have visited high intensity burns this year from Northern BC to the Sierras.
He/Him
He/Him
Hydro gets weird when you start getting into storage. Pumped hydro doesn't need to be water (fluids gas/water and solids too). Tanks under the sea -> pressure. Kinetic and Gravity.
And then anything moving can go create a compressor/vacuum and turn another working fluid into compressed storage.
And then anything moving can go create a compressor/vacuum and turn another working fluid into compressed storage.
Trompe - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
February 8, 2026 at 8:40 PM
Hydro gets weird when you start getting into storage. Pumped hydro doesn't need to be water (fluids gas/water and solids too). Tanks under the sea -> pressure. Kinetic and Gravity.
And then anything moving can go create a compressor/vacuum and turn another working fluid into compressed storage.
And then anything moving can go create a compressor/vacuum and turn another working fluid into compressed storage.
I have some video and LiDAR of work being done nearby, the folks out there are great.
www.tiktok.com/@deatley_bri...
www.tiktok.com/@deatley_bri...
Earth force technology I’m a fan 👍🏻🤘🏻#TBL #EarthForceTechnology ##EarthForce##logging##dyingbreed##arizona##RFOR##ForestRestoration##FirePrevention##AZLogging
TikTok video by dbritt
www.tiktok.com
February 7, 2026 at 4:35 AM
I have some video and LiDAR of work being done nearby, the folks out there are great.
www.tiktok.com/@deatley_bri...
www.tiktok.com/@deatley_bri...
The same spot has been imaged from space again, but finally the piles have been burned in this project area.
February 7, 2026 at 4:32 AM
The same spot has been imaged from space again, but finally the piles have been burned in this project area.
A spot I've been to several times finally got through some pile burning backlog in the last 6 months and it is already visible on Google Maps. Here was a view representative up through at least the first half of 2025. Lots of wood-rat habitat around here.
February 7, 2026 at 4:28 AM
A spot I've been to several times finally got through some pile burning backlog in the last 6 months and it is already visible on Google Maps. Here was a view representative up through at least the first half of 2025. Lots of wood-rat habitat around here.
Some symmetry here to see the behavior of individuals, clumps, and openings up against an ICO prescription.
Locals report the people of Flagstaff are taxing themselves to fund more fuels mitigation work in the in-city forested lands. Individual homeowners make their own choices though.
Locals report the people of Flagstaff are taxing themselves to fund more fuels mitigation work in the in-city forested lands. Individual homeowners make their own choices though.
February 7, 2026 at 4:24 AM
Some symmetry here to see the behavior of individuals, clumps, and openings up against an ICO prescription.
Locals report the people of Flagstaff are taxing themselves to fund more fuels mitigation work in the in-city forested lands. Individual homeowners make their own choices though.
Locals report the people of Flagstaff are taxing themselves to fund more fuels mitigation work in the in-city forested lands. Individual homeowners make their own choices though.
Current Solar is about the size of Golf Courses in that map, larger commitment than we make to Christmas Trees and smaller commitment than Maple Syrup.
Of course, one can multi-use farm or graze around renewables generation so land use needn't be exclusive (e.g. 10x the acres as parking).
Of course, one can multi-use farm or graze around renewables generation so land use needn't be exclusive (e.g. 10x the acres as parking).
February 2, 2026 at 8:54 PM
Current Solar is about the size of Golf Courses in that map, larger commitment than we make to Christmas Trees and smaller commitment than Maple Syrup.
Of course, one can multi-use farm or graze around renewables generation so land use needn't be exclusive (e.g. 10x the acres as parking).
Of course, one can multi-use farm or graze around renewables generation so land use needn't be exclusive (e.g. 10x the acres as parking).
Careful, even strategic reserves can prove to be less secure than expected.
February 2, 2026 at 3:48 AM
Careful, even strategic reserves can prove to be less secure than expected.
This one is also a good background on US land use. I grabbed this from Bloomberg nearly 8 years ago. It doesn't break out power generation except for Ethanol and probably the less we talk about this particular map projection the better (what is going on in the SW!?).
Based on USDA data.
Based on USDA data.
February 2, 2026 at 1:01 AM
This one is also a good background on US land use. I grabbed this from Bloomberg nearly 8 years ago. It doesn't break out power generation except for Ethanol and probably the less we talk about this particular map projection the better (what is going on in the SW!?).
Based on USDA data.
Based on USDA data.
A lot of MacKay's work started from a first principles theoretical approach rather than the point in time capabilities of real systems. For instance, the slow pace of nuclear buildout vs. China dropping a whole US worth of power consumption as new Solar last year are pragmatic but missing analysis.
February 1, 2026 at 11:51 PM
A lot of MacKay's work started from a first principles theoretical approach rather than the point in time capabilities of real systems. For instance, the slow pace of nuclear buildout vs. China dropping a whole US worth of power consumption as new Solar last year are pragmatic but missing analysis.
Yes, a shame.
Didn't have space above (alt text mentions); I wasn't entirely sure this graphic didn't start with solar incidence in NA and theoretical conversion instead of in-production performance numbers.
Also, didn't know if biomass has gotten any better over the last 20 years (suspect not).
Didn't have space above (alt text mentions); I wasn't entirely sure this graphic didn't start with solar incidence in NA and theoretical conversion instead of in-production performance numbers.
Also, didn't know if biomass has gotten any better over the last 20 years (suspect not).
February 1, 2026 at 11:47 PM
Yes, a shame.
Didn't have space above (alt text mentions); I wasn't entirely sure this graphic didn't start with solar incidence in NA and theoretical conversion instead of in-production performance numbers.
Also, didn't know if biomass has gotten any better over the last 20 years (suspect not).
Didn't have space above (alt text mentions); I wasn't entirely sure this graphic didn't start with solar incidence in NA and theoretical conversion instead of in-production performance numbers.
Also, didn't know if biomass has gotten any better over the last 20 years (suspect not).
David MacKay's Sustainable Energy Without the Hot Air from 2009 had graphics such as these to illustrate the footprint of equivalent power production. Joining it onto literal land use seems a small additional step best left to the student.
February 1, 2026 at 10:30 PM
David MacKay's Sustainable Energy Without the Hot Air from 2009 had graphics such as these to illustrate the footprint of equivalent power production. Joining it onto literal land use seems a small additional step best left to the student.
@xkcd.com
How good at juggling would you have to be to keep 3,000 lemons going, and what weather conditions would make tracking their return trajectories improbable?
How good at juggling would you have to be to keep 3,000 lemons going, and what weather conditions would make tracking their return trajectories improbable?
January 26, 2026 at 2:30 AM
@xkcd.com
How good at juggling would you have to be to keep 3,000 lemons going, and what weather conditions would make tracking their return trajectories improbable?
How good at juggling would you have to be to keep 3,000 lemons going, and what weather conditions would make tracking their return trajectories improbable?
What do we take from there not being a "mitigation and avoidance" category here at all? Plenty of attention on reacting to fire, to be sure.
Seems like an outsized opportunity in the "stop throwing people into the river" business despite all the attention on the "pulling people out" activities.
Seems like an outsized opportunity in the "stop throwing people into the river" business despite all the attention on the "pulling people out" activities.
January 24, 2026 at 1:34 AM
What do we take from there not being a "mitigation and avoidance" category here at all? Plenty of attention on reacting to fire, to be sure.
Seems like an outsized opportunity in the "stop throwing people into the river" business despite all the attention on the "pulling people out" activities.
Seems like an outsized opportunity in the "stop throwing people into the river" business despite all the attention on the "pulling people out" activities.
Tomorrow is the day! I'm looking forward to meeting some new people and reconnecting with the regulars to talk about forestry and build community. Hope to see you there.
New year, same Forest and Friends monthly meet up on the eastside (Bellevue WA)! If you are in the neighborhood next Thursday come on by and join us as we kick off 2026 together.
🌲🔥
luma.com/hrt8kynx
🌲🔥
luma.com/hrt8kynx
January 22, 2026 at 1:09 AM
Tomorrow is the day! I'm looking forward to meeting some new people and reconnecting with the regulars to talk about forestry and build community. Hope to see you there.
Reposted by Geoff Staneff
It is dry and warm across most of the Colorado River basin so far this winter, which is not great www.kktv.com/2026/01/17/c...
Colorado snowpack near record lows raises concerns for water and wildfire risk
Colorado snowpack is significantly below normal for mid-January, raising concerns about water supply, drought and wildfire risk later this year.
www.kktv.com
January 17, 2026 at 7:22 PM
It is dry and warm across most of the Colorado River basin so far this winter, which is not great www.kktv.com/2026/01/17/c...
New year, same Forest and Friends monthly meet up on the eastside (Bellevue WA)! If you are in the neighborhood next Thursday come on by and join us as we kick off 2026 together.
🌲🔥
luma.com/hrt8kynx
🌲🔥
luma.com/hrt8kynx
January 16, 2026 at 8:20 PM
New year, same Forest and Friends monthly meet up on the eastside (Bellevue WA)! If you are in the neighborhood next Thursday come on by and join us as we kick off 2026 together.
🌲🔥
luma.com/hrt8kynx
🌲🔥
luma.com/hrt8kynx
Reposted by Geoff Staneff
Permafrost (frozen ground) is the backbone of northern ecosystems. Watch this field video for a visual demonstration of what happens when we lose that permafrost to thaw.
January 6, 2026 at 6:41 PM
Permafrost (frozen ground) is the backbone of northern ecosystems. Watch this field video for a visual demonstration of what happens when we lose that permafrost to thaw.
Reposted by Geoff Staneff
Rainfall rates up to 1.5 inches per hour forecast in Southern California on Wednesday. Rainfall of that intensity has a nearly 100% chance of triggering a debris flow within and downstream of the Eaton and Palisades burn areas.
www.sfchronicle.com/weather/arti...
www.sfchronicle.com/weather/arti...
Storm expected to bring ‘life-threatening’ impacts to Southern California. Here’s what to know
Heavy rainfall is expected to bring widespread impacts to Southern California starting Tuesday night, with the potential for dangerous flash flooding and mudslides.
www.sfchronicle.com
December 24, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Rainfall rates up to 1.5 inches per hour forecast in Southern California on Wednesday. Rainfall of that intensity has a nearly 100% chance of triggering a debris flow within and downstream of the Eaton and Palisades burn areas.
www.sfchronicle.com/weather/arti...
www.sfchronicle.com/weather/arti...
Reposted by Geoff Staneff
On climate change and lighthouses:
"today’s business leaders aren’t lobbying to illuminate risks and aren’t building lighthouses... those who appreciate the new risks are either trying to benefit privately... or are trying to keep risks hidden." probablefutures.org/perspective/...
"today’s business leaders aren’t lobbying to illuminate risks and aren’t building lighthouses... those who appreciate the new risks are either trying to benefit privately... or are trying to keep risks hidden." probablefutures.org/perspective/...
Solstice greetings: guiding lights · Probable Futures
It’s a testament to technological progress that lighthouses have become scenic. These towers with their glass rotundas are now mostly quaint relics whose images evoke nostalgia and attract tourists to...
probablefutures.org
December 21, 2025 at 6:18 PM
On climate change and lighthouses:
"today’s business leaders aren’t lobbying to illuminate risks and aren’t building lighthouses... those who appreciate the new risks are either trying to benefit privately... or are trying to keep risks hidden." probablefutures.org/perspective/...
"today’s business leaders aren’t lobbying to illuminate risks and aren’t building lighthouses... those who appreciate the new risks are either trying to benefit privately... or are trying to keep risks hidden." probablefutures.org/perspective/...
To be fair, the Island State of Duvall gets cut off a couple times a year here at 124th. This is the river's land.
Both pictures above are across 124th from opposite sides of the valley floor, that's closed for minor floods. Fall City & Snoqualmie become unpassable in major floods (now).
Both pictures above are across 124th from opposite sides of the valley floor, that's closed for minor floods. Fall City & Snoqualmie become unpassable in major floods (now).
December 11, 2025 at 6:25 PM
To be fair, the Island State of Duvall gets cut off a couple times a year here at 124th. This is the river's land.
Both pictures above are across 124th from opposite sides of the valley floor, that's closed for minor floods. Fall City & Snoqualmie become unpassable in major floods (now).
Both pictures above are across 124th from opposite sides of the valley floor, that's closed for minor floods. Fall City & Snoqualmie become unpassable in major floods (now).
Unlikely. But you are being generous with me so I'll allow it.
December 5, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Unlikely. But you are being generous with me so I'll allow it.
I think the kind of failure is important. This wasn't FTC fraud, (or all that corporate raider nonsense from the '80s).
This was CDS's from 2008, where a lot of people had suspicions and few had enough information to act or knew what the trigger might be.
This was CDS's from 2008, where a lot of people had suspicions and few had enough information to act or knew what the trigger might be.
December 5, 2025 at 7:45 PM
I think the kind of failure is important. This wasn't FTC fraud, (or all that corporate raider nonsense from the '80s).
This was CDS's from 2008, where a lot of people had suspicions and few had enough information to act or knew what the trigger might be.
This was CDS's from 2008, where a lot of people had suspicions and few had enough information to act or knew what the trigger might be.
This is collective action in general, we all pay for clean air and water when one pollutes too.
SVB, specifically, should be well regulated and should not have held an asymmetric position account holders had no awareness or control over. When regulation failed, we collectively paid the other way.
SVB, specifically, should be well regulated and should not have held an asymmetric position account holders had no awareness or control over. When regulation failed, we collectively paid the other way.
December 5, 2025 at 7:42 PM
This is collective action in general, we all pay for clean air and water when one pollutes too.
SVB, specifically, should be well regulated and should not have held an asymmetric position account holders had no awareness or control over. When regulation failed, we collectively paid the other way.
SVB, specifically, should be well regulated and should not have held an asymmetric position account holders had no awareness or control over. When regulation failed, we collectively paid the other way.
Every other business is similarly exposed, and why all companies eventually become banks.
The (non) regulation of SVB, the bank, was special; not startups as a broad class of business. There was a lot of non-tech exposure, including the banking system. The failure was in regulation, not accounts.
The (non) regulation of SVB, the bank, was special; not startups as a broad class of business. There was a lot of non-tech exposure, including the banking system. The failure was in regulation, not accounts.
December 5, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Every other business is similarly exposed, and why all companies eventually become banks.
The (non) regulation of SVB, the bank, was special; not startups as a broad class of business. There was a lot of non-tech exposure, including the banking system. The failure was in regulation, not accounts.
The (non) regulation of SVB, the bank, was special; not startups as a broad class of business. There was a lot of non-tech exposure, including the banking system. The failure was in regulation, not accounts.
SVB generated a "Marry Poppins" bank run, meaning it triggered on mob behavior and panic; the kind of things a well regulated banking system should avoid. They had outrageous risk management.
That was a regulatory oversight and management failure. And would have casually destroyed many companies.
That was a regulatory oversight and management failure. And would have casually destroyed many companies.
December 5, 2025 at 7:21 PM
SVB generated a "Marry Poppins" bank run, meaning it triggered on mob behavior and panic; the kind of things a well regulated banking system should avoid. They had outrageous risk management.
That was a regulatory oversight and management failure. And would have casually destroyed many companies.
That was a regulatory oversight and management failure. And would have casually destroyed many companies.