Brian Tarroja
@briantarrojaphd.bsky.social
Helping build a robust & beneficial clean energy transition. Researcher & Lecturer at UC Irvine. MechEng PhD & PE.
Direct work:⚡💧🔋💨🌞🌋🚗🔌🏢 🌡🚲
Info: https://btarroja.wixsite.com/btarroja
♿ Cane / wheelchair-user & chronic pain-haver since 11/2023
Direct work:⚡💧🔋💨🌞🌋🚗🔌🏢 🌡🚲
Info: https://btarroja.wixsite.com/btarroja
♿ Cane / wheelchair-user & chronic pain-haver since 11/2023
Pinned
🧵 Hi new followers!
1/ I'm a research prof working to better understand how diff. pathways towards & realizations of a future clean energy system differ from each other - so we can better ensure the way the clean energy transition is carried out is robust & provides tangible benefits to people.
1/ I'm a research prof working to better understand how diff. pathways towards & realizations of a future clean energy system differ from each other - so we can better ensure the way the clean energy transition is carried out is robust & provides tangible benefits to people.
Reposted by Brian Tarroja
If we speak of political realities as if they are immovable *they will remain immovable* and I think it's high time that we start speaking of possibilities more than impediments.
March 22, 2025 at 4:21 PM
If we speak of political realities as if they are immovable *they will remain immovable* and I think it's high time that we start speaking of possibilities more than impediments.
Reposted by Brian Tarroja
As a reminder why this all matters--the 2020s is when storage was supposed to scale up to provide RA otherwsie providedby thermal gen. In CAISO, ERCOT, ISONE interconnection queues, storage topping all other resources, with WECC close to the same. #EnergySky
March 21, 2025 at 1:46 AM
As a reminder why this all matters--the 2020s is when storage was supposed to scale up to provide RA otherwsie providedby thermal gen. In CAISO, ERCOT, ISONE interconnection queues, storage topping all other resources, with WECC close to the same. #EnergySky
Reposted by Brian Tarroja
The 3 major headwinds to #EnergyStorage deployment in the US -- trade/supply chain, interconnection/permitting, & system planning -- are blowing harder than ever. In the 10 years I've been at it, it's the most challenging policy landscape I've ever had to navigate www.linkedin.com/posts/jburwe... 🔌💡
Can U.S. energy storage deployments keep up the post-IRA pace? These 3… | Jason Burwen
Ever since the 2024 election, I've been meaning to revisit my 2022 article outlining 3 key factors determining the pace of U.S. #EnergyStorage deployments…
www.linkedin.com
March 20, 2025 at 8:12 PM
The 3 major headwinds to #EnergyStorage deployment in the US -- trade/supply chain, interconnection/permitting, & system planning -- are blowing harder than ever. In the 10 years I've been at it, it's the most challenging policy landscape I've ever had to navigate www.linkedin.com/posts/jburwe... 🔌💡
Reposted by Brian Tarroja
"Just because you don’t understand why or how federal funds are being spent doesn’t mean they’re waste or fraud — especially if you’re too lazy or ideologically focused to ask questions about the nature of the spending in the first place." therevelator.org/doge-cuts-fe...
How DOGE Cuts Threatens Science That Could Save the Planet • The Revelator
Politicians have mocked and cut federally funded research for decades, but funding basic science has a history of lifesaving discoveries.
therevelator.org
March 19, 2025 at 6:39 PM
"Just because you don’t understand why or how federal funds are being spent doesn’t mean they’re waste or fraud — especially if you’re too lazy or ideologically focused to ask questions about the nature of the spending in the first place." therevelator.org/doge-cuts-fe...
Reposted by Brian Tarroja
I think it's more than that. They want all regulatory agencies, plus any agency that provides benefits to ordinary people, to fail. That way, there will (in their minds) be less pushback when they eliminate them completely. Total elimination is the goal.
March 18, 2025 at 4:50 PM
I think it's more than that. They want all regulatory agencies, plus any agency that provides benefits to ordinary people, to fail. That way, there will (in their minds) be less pushback when they eliminate them completely. Total elimination is the goal.
1/ Been holding back re: research since everything is on fire, but that's not changing anytime soon so might as well post:
We plan decarbonized electricity systems to minimize monetary cost. How different would they look if we minimized life cycle GHG instead?
iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1...
We plan decarbonized electricity systems to minimize monetary cost. How different would they look if we minimized life cycle GHG instead?
iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1...
Evaluating the effectiveness of cost-minimal planning of decarbonized electricity systems in reducing life cycle greenhouse gas emissions - IOPscienceSearch
Evaluating the effectiveness of cost-minimal planning of decarbonized electricity systems in reducing life cycle greenhouse gas emissions, Tarroja, Brian, Mulvaney, Dustin, Peer, Rebecca, Grubert, Emily
iopscience.iop.org
March 18, 2025 at 5:01 PM
1/ Been holding back re: research since everything is on fire, but that's not changing anytime soon so might as well post:
We plan decarbonized electricity systems to minimize monetary cost. How different would they look if we minimized life cycle GHG instead?
iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1...
We plan decarbonized electricity systems to minimize monetary cost. How different would they look if we minimized life cycle GHG instead?
iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1...
🧵The goal of withdrawing govt. agencies from being able to provide critical services that benefit people is distinctly different from the goal having these agencies be more efficient in how they operate.
It's maddening how the former is being marketed as the latter. 1/
It's maddening how the former is being marketed as the latter. 1/
March 18, 2025 at 4:27 PM
🧵The goal of withdrawing govt. agencies from being able to provide critical services that benefit people is distinctly different from the goal having these agencies be more efficient in how they operate.
It's maddening how the former is being marketed as the latter. 1/
It's maddening how the former is being marketed as the latter. 1/
Reposted by Brian Tarroja
Hi, US coal has largely declined because the plants have well outlived their design life. Not because of climate policy, largely not because of other policy either. It’s old tech and the plants cost a lot to keep running.
Trump Says He’s Authorizing Administration to Produce Coal Power
US President Donald Trump said he would look to counter China’s economic advantage from coal-based electricity by authorizing his administration to ramp up production of energy from the fossil fuel.
www.bloomberg.com
March 17, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Hi, US coal has largely declined because the plants have well outlived their design life. Not because of climate policy, largely not because of other policy either. It’s old tech and the plants cost a lot to keep running.
Reposted by Brian Tarroja
People might think that whatever destruction is done to science in the US, we can undo in 4 years with a Democratic president and Congress.
The problem is that many areas require specialized knowledge and skills built up over years, and once that's lost, it's hard to get back.
The problem is that many areas require specialized knowledge and skills built up over years, and once that's lost, it's hard to get back.
The damage will be far worse than just a 4-yr gap. Both I and the individual who has managed this site for most of the past 50 yrs are retiring within the next 2 years. With this closure, we will not be able to plan a transition.
March 16, 2025 at 10:35 PM
People might think that whatever destruction is done to science in the US, we can undo in 4 years with a Democratic president and Congress.
The problem is that many areas require specialized knowledge and skills built up over years, and once that's lost, it's hard to get back.
The problem is that many areas require specialized knowledge and skills built up over years, and once that's lost, it's hard to get back.
Our dams provide multiple critical functions & need expertise that can deal with that complexity - which will be even more important as climate variability increases.
Yet another example that the admin either doesn't understand what they're cutting or likely that they do & they don't care.
Yet another example that the admin either doesn't understand what they're cutting or likely that they do & they don't care.
AP Exclusive: Trump administration workforce cuts at the federal agencies that oversee the nation's dams are jeopardizing their ability to provide reliable electricity, provide water for irrigation and control flooding, workers and dam-safety experts warn. apnews.com/article/dams...
Critics warn staff cuts at federal agencies overseeing US dams could put public safety at risk
Experts are warning that Trump administration workforce cuts at federal agencies overseeing U.S. dams are threatening their ability to provide reliable electricity, supply water to farmers and protect...
apnews.com
March 15, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Our dams provide multiple critical functions & need expertise that can deal with that complexity - which will be even more important as climate variability increases.
Yet another example that the admin either doesn't understand what they're cutting or likely that they do & they don't care.
Yet another example that the admin either doesn't understand what they're cutting or likely that they do & they don't care.
Reposted by Brian Tarroja
these guys are kind of an object lesson in how the ruling class has ideological commitments that come before profit: namely, maintaining their position atop an economic system which provides the ability to produce profit, and the racial and gender hierarchy they approve of. wild to see in practice!
March 15, 2025 at 7:16 PM
these guys are kind of an object lesson in how the ruling class has ideological commitments that come before profit: namely, maintaining their position atop an economic system which provides the ability to produce profit, and the racial and gender hierarchy they approve of. wild to see in practice!
Reposted by Brian Tarroja
Trump and Musk are basically trying to deskill America:
1) kill all white-collar jobs and replace them with AI
2) kill universities
3) use tariffs to turn the U.S. into an economic island manufacturing, oil and ag hub
4) empty the cities
5) push men into manual labor & women back into the kitchen
1) kill all white-collar jobs and replace them with AI
2) kill universities
3) use tariffs to turn the U.S. into an economic island manufacturing, oil and ag hub
4) empty the cities
5) push men into manual labor & women back into the kitchen
March 15, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Trump and Musk are basically trying to deskill America:
1) kill all white-collar jobs and replace them with AI
2) kill universities
3) use tariffs to turn the U.S. into an economic island manufacturing, oil and ag hub
4) empty the cities
5) push men into manual labor & women back into the kitchen
1) kill all white-collar jobs and replace them with AI
2) kill universities
3) use tariffs to turn the U.S. into an economic island manufacturing, oil and ag hub
4) empty the cities
5) push men into manual labor & women back into the kitchen
Reposted by Brian Tarroja
All of this is true. I also think Americans who voted for the concept of "American greatness" are unprepared for the downstream impacts of dismantling most of the institutions of American prestige and soft power, while also burning alliances and geopolitical trust.
I don’t think Americans who voted for this administration are in any way prepared for the way its decisions could reverberate through the economy and lead to lost wages, mass layoffs, spiraling consumer debt, foreclosure, another lost generation of young people.
Recessions are no joke.
Recessions are no joke.
March 14, 2025 at 1:56 PM
All of this is true. I also think Americans who voted for the concept of "American greatness" are unprepared for the downstream impacts of dismantling most of the institutions of American prestige and soft power, while also burning alliances and geopolitical trust.
Reposted by Brian Tarroja
The irony is that between DOGE and Trumps tariffs they’re endangering the anchor of a lot of American prosperity, which is centuries of political stability and rule of law which makes a place people want to put capital. None of these dweebs grasp that.
“America is deeply unprofitable” it’s a country not a B2B startup you fucking dweeb
March 13, 2025 at 5:06 AM
The irony is that between DOGE and Trumps tariffs they’re endangering the anchor of a lot of American prosperity, which is centuries of political stability and rule of law which makes a place people want to put capital. None of these dweebs grasp that.
In case anyone needed a reminder:
This is what many cities in the U.S. looked like before the EPA.
Why the heck would anyone celebrate deregulating it?
Why the heck would anyone celebrate deregulating it?
March 13, 2025 at 4:33 PM
In case anyone needed a reminder:
Reposted by Brian Tarroja
Since Trump's inauguration, his EPA had announced no major step to address water or air pollution.
That changed today. Trump's EPA BOASTED it plans the biggest rollback of safeguards for health, land, water & air quality in US history. To INCREASE harmful pollution to water, air, to your community.
That changed today. Trump's EPA BOASTED it plans the biggest rollback of safeguards for health, land, water & air quality in US history. To INCREASE harmful pollution to water, air, to your community.
March 12, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Since Trump's inauguration, his EPA had announced no major step to address water or air pollution.
That changed today. Trump's EPA BOASTED it plans the biggest rollback of safeguards for health, land, water & air quality in US history. To INCREASE harmful pollution to water, air, to your community.
That changed today. Trump's EPA BOASTED it plans the biggest rollback of safeguards for health, land, water & air quality in US history. To INCREASE harmful pollution to water, air, to your community.
Update: was able to bike to eat lunch. Slowly starting to increase the distance I can e-bike. Still a long way from recovering enough to ride my regular bike though!
Also it looks weird when I roll up on my e-bike then get out my cane to walk. E-biking is easier on my foot than walking though!
Also it looks weird when I roll up on my e-bike then get out my cane to walk. E-biking is easier on my foot than walking though!
March 7, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Update: was able to bike to eat lunch. Slowly starting to increase the distance I can e-bike. Still a long way from recovering enough to ride my regular bike though!
Also it looks weird when I roll up on my e-bike then get out my cane to walk. E-biking is easier on my foot than walking though!
Also it looks weird when I roll up on my e-bike then get out my cane to walk. E-biking is easier on my foot than walking though!
Reposted by Brian Tarroja
Imagine DOGE opens your mail and finds your household electric bill. To eliminate this cost, they burn your house down without warning. Then they total up the bills that, as a homeless person, you will never again pay. On its website, DOGE boasts about the money it has saved you.
March 4, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Imagine DOGE opens your mail and finds your household electric bill. To eliminate this cost, they burn your house down without warning. Then they total up the bills that, as a homeless person, you will never again pay. On its website, DOGE boasts about the money it has saved you.
Weather forecasts aren't just for helping you figure out what clothes to wear. They're critically important for early warning against extreme events that can damage people & infrastructure and for helping communities prepare for them.
Gutting NWS capability directly puts lives at risk.
Gutting NWS capability directly puts lives at risk.
March 4, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Weather forecasts aren't just for helping you figure out what clothes to wear. They're critically important for early warning against extreme events that can damage people & infrastructure and for helping communities prepare for them.
Gutting NWS capability directly puts lives at risk.
Gutting NWS capability directly puts lives at risk.
Reposted by Brian Tarroja
"Only I can fix this," says person as they stand amongst things they broke.
March 2, 2025 at 7:32 PM
"Only I can fix this," says person as they stand amongst things they broke.
Reposted by Brian Tarroja
I want to be clear: the private sector, as it presently exists, *cannot* quickly spin up to fill any void left by substantial dismantling of #NOAA. Full stop. If that were to happen, people would die in extreme weather events who would not have otherwise, & economy would suffer.
February 5, 2025 at 7:21 PM
I want to be clear: the private sector, as it presently exists, *cannot* quickly spin up to fill any void left by substantial dismantling of #NOAA. Full stop. If that were to happen, people would die in extreme weather events who would not have otherwise, & economy would suffer.
Reposted by Brian Tarroja
Your weather app gets its info because of NOAA.
Your mail arrives at your home because of USPS.
Your plane navigates the skies because of the FAA.
Your food is safer -- and we get alerts when it isn't -- because of USDA.
You hear about earthquakes *worldwide* because of USGS.
Your mail arrives at your home because of USPS.
Your plane navigates the skies because of the FAA.
Your food is safer -- and we get alerts when it isn't -- because of USDA.
You hear about earthquakes *worldwide* because of USGS.
February 22, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Your weather app gets its info because of NOAA.
Your mail arrives at your home because of USPS.
Your plane navigates the skies because of the FAA.
Your food is safer -- and we get alerts when it isn't -- because of USDA.
You hear about earthquakes *worldwide* because of USGS.
Your mail arrives at your home because of USPS.
Your plane navigates the skies because of the FAA.
Your food is safer -- and we get alerts when it isn't -- because of USDA.
You hear about earthquakes *worldwide* because of USGS.