The Climate Connection to Deep Tech

The Deep Tech Initiative at Duke University is working to support the development of deep tech solutions to key challenges, including the myriad challenges of climate change. Deep tech refers to technologies rooted in scientific breakthroughs with the power to transform industries and shape national priorities. At Duke, we recognize the importance of holistically understanding the opportunities and risks they pose to critical national interests such as economic security, technological leadership, and environmental sustainability. The Initiative leads multidisciplinary research and collaborations that explore the effects of technical domains such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, semiconductors, renewable energy, and cybersecurity.

How are Climate Tech and Deep Tech Related?

Climate tech employs cutting-edge research in energy efficiency, renewable energy, grid optimization, and carbon capture. These technologies are developed and deployed to help mitigate climate change and to help adapt to its ongoing impacts. 

Given the long-term time horizons and complexity of the climate challenge, deep tech solutions are key to harnessing next-generation technologies. Broadly speaking, deep tech refers to sophisticated technical advancements that require significant scientific or engineering breakthroughs to achieve. Deep tech is characterized by years of research and development and the scale of investment needed to make progress.

Madelene Larsson of Giant Ventures describes Deep Tech as "leveraging cutting-edge new science and technologies to solve very real problems for the planet and for society". She adds, "While some technologies might also require disruption of business models, others might use well-proven business models, which can partly derisk the path to market. At the core, Deep Tech means exceptional technologies that can drive meaningful change.[i]”

What are some examples of Deep Tech Climate Solutions?

In the climate space, nuclear fusion energy is an example of a deep tech innovation that could serve as a key climate solution. Fusion operates on the same principle that powers the sun, in which a tremendous amount of energy is released when two nuclei fuse to create a nucleus. Fusion is the most energy-dense form of energy production known to exist.[ii] The significant technical breakthroughs necessary to develop and deploy fusion nuclear power plants, and the revolutionary potential of nearly limitless clean energy if achieved, make it emblematic of deep technologies that can help to address the climate crisis. 

Another example of a deep tech climate solution that complements existing climate solutions is the development of superconducting tape used in the manufacturing of electric transmission wires. By vastly increasing the efficiency of energy transmission, these tapes can transmit energy with virtually no energy loss in transit.[iii] This approach can increase the capacity of existing grid infrastructure by 5 to 10 times, enabling more deployment of existing clean energy technology such as wind and solar power.[iv] These examples illustrate how deep tech innovations can complement existing climate solutions while also laying the groundwork for future advancements. Such breakthroughs enable us to significantly increase grid capacity without the time-consuming process of building entirely new infrastructure. 

How is Deep Tech at Duke contributing to research at the Intersection of Deep Tech and Climate?

While the examples above describe how deep tech solutions can help advance climate progress, not all technology deployment is a boon for the climate. Some deep tech deployments threaten to exacerbate climate challenges if not thoughtfully managed. For example, the rapid buildout of large hyperscaler data centers to power AI tools poses major sustainability challenges. These challenges range from the emissions caused by meeting increased power demand with fossil fuels, data centers, the water intensity of cooling data centers, and the proper disposal or reuse of the vast amounts of e-waste that data centers generate. Additionally, many deep technologies are at the heart of data centers, with the surge of interest in the use of products like generative AI translating to higher demand for semiconductors.

Merritt Cahoon and I as Deep Tech researchers, wrote a forthcoming report, Hyperscaler Data Center Buildout: A Sustainability Bane, Boon, or Both surveys the sustainability considerations surrounding the rapid buildout of hyperscaler data centers in the United States.  The research also describes mechanisms for hyperscalers such as Google, Microsoft, and Meta to manage the data center buildout while still making progress toward their ambitious clean energy and sustainability goals. 

The report was written in preparation for the “Billions to Trillions” conference at Duke University, which brought together leaders from multiple sectors to discuss the current landscape of climate finance. Staff from the Deep Tech Initiative played key roles in organizing the second annual event along with the Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability. Read the event recap and check out the recorded sessions on the Nicholas Institute website. 

In addition to the research discussed above, Duke undergraduate students have worked with Deep Tech to produce relevant research on topics such as small modular nuclear energy development, describing the economic benefits of green data centers, and understanding how power purchase agreements and energy storage technologies can help data centers operate more sustainably. Go to our Student Projects page to learn more. 

To learn more about Deep Tech’s mission, upcoming events, and work, visit our home page!