Ryan E. Hanna

Center for Energy Research

Ryan Hanna is an assistant research scientist in the Center for Energy Research. His research focuses include energy systems, deep decarbonization, and energy policy. Present research includes economic modeling of microgrids—investigating the extent to which decentralized supplies of energy help to decarbonize the electric grid, and in what ways that paradigm is optimal—as well as technical assessments of the feasibility of using direct air capture machines to scrub carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. He also contributes to work on the political economy of carbon capture and storage and on driver behavior vis-a-vis electric vehicle use.

Past research has included assessments of the impacts of distributed and centralized solar power on the electric grid, as well as behind-the-meter applications for solar+storage systems. Ryan developed optimization algorithms for solar+storage systems that mitigate peak load and control photovoltaic (PV) power ramp rates, and implemented them operationally using real PV systems and second-life electric-vehicle batteries at the UC San Diego campus.

Ryan received his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering at the Jacobs School of Engineering and has held postdoctoral positions in both the Center for Energy Research and School of Global Policy and Strategy at UC San Diego. He spent part of his Ph.D. at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) in Laxenburg, Austria, focusing on microgrids—on how technology variables and policies affect the “business case” for investing as well as the optimal deployment of renewables.