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Case Study

The Potential for Superhot Rock Energy in South America

What if there were a ubiquitous, always-on renewable energy source with the potential to replace fossil fuel power generation and meet much of the world’s future energy needs? What if that energy source could provide firm power without variability issues? What if it had a low land footprint and was available around the world, reducing the need to import energy? 

This energy source is possible. It’s called superhot rock energy.

The power of superhot rock geothermal energy

Superhot rock energy is an emerging energy source that will harness massive stores of renewable energy by pumping water deep into hot underground rocks, where it naturally heats up and then returns to the surface as steam. That steam could be used to produce carbon-free electricity, clean hydrogen, and other high-energy-intensity products. 

Traditional geothermal systems in operation today only work in regions where hot water naturally exists near the earth’s surface. By contrast, superhot rock energy systems would reach deeper into the earth and wouldn’t require underground sources of water, making them viable across the globe. With appropriate investment to overcome technological hurdles, superhot rock energy could reach commercial scale. If this is achieved, superhot rock energy could provide clean firm power at scale without the import risk and land-use footprint of other energy sources. 

Superhot rock energy’s enormous potential in South America

First-of-a-kind modeling from Clean Air Task Force and the University of Twente in the Netherlands estimated superhot rock energy potential around the world. This modeling represents preliminary estimates of superhot rock potential, rather than confirmed resources. Nevertheless, it suggests that South America is well endowed with superhot rock resources, as illustrated in our global map.i

CATF’s model finds superhot rock energy potential across about 11% of South America’s land area — amounting to more than 2 million square kilometers — at depths below 12.5 km. With a concerted focus on deep drilling research and technology innovation, South America should be able to access superhot rock nearly anywhere.

Just 1% of South America’s superhot rock resource has the potential to provide 6.1 terawatts of energy capacity, which could generate nearly 51,000 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity. Though these numbers are only preliminary, their scale is enormous. To provide perspective, the city of Lima consumed 17.7 TWh in 2017, so South America’s superhot rock energy resource capacity could theoretically satisfy the annual electricity demands of nearly 2,900 additional cities equivalent to Lima.

Energy access and development

South America’s energy demand is projected to rise over the coming decades due to a growing population, economic development, and higher per-capita energy consumption. South American countries will also need to adopt more energy-intensive technologies to adapt to rising temperatures and extended droughts, while shifting their energy sectors away from fossil fuels.

The immense capacity of superhot rock energy could also play a crucial role in fostering sustainable development across South America. Superhot rock energy projects can increase the overall capacity of the electrical grid, providing more reliable and consistent power to homes, businesses, and industries. Improved access to electricity is crucial for economic development.

The development of superhot rock energy projects also requires a workforce, creating job opportunities in various fields such as engineering, geology, and maintenance, which can reduce unemployment and poverty rates across South America. Finally, the development of superhot rock energy projects may attract foreign investment and expertise. Collaborating with international partners can bring in funding, technology, and knowledge, fostering a supportive environment for sustainable development.

If fully deployed and utilized, South America’s superhot rock resource potential could help meet the region’s growing energy demand, reduce energy poverty, and spur economic growth.


Environmental and health benefits

The combined Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement for all South American countries that have significant superhot rock energy resourcesii aim to reduce emissions by over 1,800 megatonnes of CO2eq annually by 2030. Additionally, some countries in the region have adopted zero-carbon or climate neutrality goals.iii South America’s superhot rock energy endowment could replace fossil-based energy sources and their associated carbon emissions. While it is improbable that superhot rock energy will reach commercial scale in time to support 2030 climate goals, it does have the potential to enable low-carbon energy development over time. Superhot rock energy would also provide air quality and health benefits by reducing nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, and other toxic pollutants associated with the combustion of fossil fuels. And excess superhot rock energy could help South America produce zero-carbon fuels for decarbonizing industrial and transportation sectors.

Leveraging subsurface expertise

South America has strong subsurface expertise and infrastructure, and the region’s oil and gas companies are well poised to champion superhot rock on both domestic and foreign soil. They maintain deep expertise in many of the technical areas needed to deploy superhot rock energy quickly and a fleet of international assets, such as drilling rigs and contractual partners, that could do so at a global scale. Many of the electricians, mechanics, geoscientists, and more currently working in South America’s oil and gas sector could find similar employment in the superhot rock industry, enabling a zero-carbon employment pathway. Meanwhile, an intensive drilling and resource development program by well-funded consortia that include oil and gas industry players around the country could provide the knowledge and innovation needed to develop and rapidly commercialize superhot rock energy.

Enabling a reliable and efficient grid

Superhot rock energy is available around the clock, rain or shine. An electricity system without this type of firm power requires building excess generation and transmission capacity to ensure there is always enough to meet demand. For example, a recent study of California found that an energy system that includes clean firm power would require one-third the new transmission compared to one without these resources. Finally, the 24/7 production profile of superhot rock energy makes better use of existing grid infrastructure by operating reliably and consistently, reducing reliance on demand-side shifting and expensive backup generation.

Efficient land use

Superhot rock energy is expected to be an extremely energy-dense resource, so its land requirements will be exceptionally low. Producing 1 GW of superhot rock energy is estimated to require roughly 12 km2 of land, compared to approximately 160 km2 of land for natural gas, 180 km2 for solar, 520 km2 for offshore wind, and 14,000 km2 for biomass.iv

What will this cost?

According to preliminary modeling, electricity produced from mature superhot rock energy resources could be competitive with conventional power sources priced potentially as low as $25-40 (USD) per MWh on a global average.v Initial costs will be higher for first-of-a-kind projects but are likely to progressively decline in the same way that unconventional shale gas, solar, and wind project costs have declined after commercialization.



With the right funding and policy support, superhot rock energy could develop to its full potential: creating abundant renewable energy around the world. 

To learn more about the policy and technology innovations required to fulfill superhot rock energy’s revolutionary potential, visit our website. See more findings from CATF’s heat mapping research here. For inquiries, contact shr-info@catf.us

Future state of superhot rock:
Key steps to success

Private and public investment

Investment from both private and public sources is needed to help superhot rock energy reach its full potential. It will require resources of governments, geothermal industry, academic institutions, oil and gas industry, and technology companies.

Government investment

Early government investments can jumpstart the process of commercialization by providing drilling campaign incentives, funding early-stage R&D to “de-risk” superhot rock in the public and private sector, funding pilot projects, and enhancing cooperation among international projects.

Regulatory
regime

New policies are needed to ensure that superhot rock energy development is both safe and efficient. Institutional frameworks are also required to provide the resources needed for development and scalability at a global level.

Curious to learn more?

Take a deeper dive into superhot rock

Learn more about how the superhot rock process works and explore the potential benefits this source of energy has to offer.