When people think about UN climate summits, they likely imagine politicians thrashing out the details of new climate commitments in late-night negotiations. However, on the sidelines of meetings like COP27, there are many companies showcasing new technologies that can help the climate fight. Deep geothermal “superhot rock energy” is one of those technologies.

Terra Rogers (left), program director for superhot rock energy at the Clean Air Task Force, in conversation with Energy Monitor reporter Dave Keating at COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

Terra Rogers is at COP27 trying to spread the message to delegates that geothermal energy is not a 100-year-old technology that has no room left to develop. “It is still nascent, and it has a lot of research and development that has to happen,” the program director for superhot rock energy at US-based non-profit the Clean Air Task Force told Energy Monitor in Sharm El Sheikh. “We need public funding to get over the hurdle and prove that this resource can [deliver] continuously and ongoing.”

“We are here to raise awareness – this energy source is nearly unrecognised in the decarbonisation debate, despite the fact that it is truly unparalleled,” she added. “It is taking the niche industry of geothermal to the next level by amping it up with additional temperature and additional pressure.”

Rogers is hoping to convince delegates to make a bet on deep geothermal energy as a key technology for the future. “When you see a nascent technology that has the potential for impact, like superhot rock, where the market cannot offset the risk, that is when policy can step in.”

Climate action beyond deep geothermal at COP27:

Reporter Nour Ghantous and senior writer Dave Keating are reporting from COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, on behalf of Energy Monitor and our parent company, GlobalData. They are providing the data-led analysis you have come to expect from Energy Monitor but also something new: video interviews with business leaders, policymakers and campaigners. We encourage you to return often to our Energy Monitor home page for updates from the conference. You can also sign up for our free biweekly newsletter here.

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Other recent COP27 coverage includes:

COP27: “Energy efficiency should not be neglected” – Danfoss, by Nour Ghantous (15 November)

One year on, is coal being consigned to history?, by Dave Keating (15 November)

COP27: Cities are essential in the climate fight, says former Lord Mayor of Dublin, by Dave Keating (14 November)

Opinion: Why climate action will fail without more women at the table, by Philippa Nuttall (14 November)

COP27: “Green hydrogen is one of the bright spots of this COP” – Jonas Moberg, CEO of GH2, by Nour Ghantous (14 November)

COP27: Ukraine energy company DTEK maintains net-zero goal, by Nour Ghantous (14 November)

Opinion: COP27 comes after a year of unfulfilled COP26 promises, by Nick Ferris (11 November)

COP27: Data science can strengthen climate action, by Nour Ghantous (11 November)

COP27: Alpine Group proffers recycled textiles to combat climate, by Nour Ghantous (10 November)

Why the financial odds are stacked against developing countries, by Isabeau van Halm and Polly Bindman (9 November)

COP27: International Labour Organization wants to see a just transition “actually implemented”, by Nour Ghantous (9 November)