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In her lightning talk at RailsConf 2021, geologist Sarah Sausan shares her passion for renewable energy, particularly geothermal energy, and how it led her to embrace Ruby and Rails for data accessibility in this field.

**Main Topic:**  
Sausan discusses the significance of geothermal energy as a reliable and cleaner alternative within the renewable energy spectrum, highlighting its potential amidst other traditional sources like solar and wind.

**Key Points:**  
- **Understanding Geothermal Energy:**  
  - Defined as energy generated from the Earth's underground heat.  
  - Reliable and provides 24/7 energy output, making it suitable for powering cities or countries.  
- **Comparison with Other Renewable Sources:**  
  - Unlike solar and wind, which are dependent on weather conditions, geothermal energy offers a consistent energy supply.  
  - Less land is required to harness geothermal heat, which underscores its scalability and environmental benefits.  
- **Current Challenges:**  
  - High costs hinder widespread adoption of geothermal energy, making it less competitive with other renewable sources.  
  - The need for lower costs can emulate the development cycles seen in solar energy technology.  
- **Role of Software & Programming:**  
  - Sausan emphasizes her journey into software, particularly how her experience as a former product manager aided her understanding of technology.  
  - Her interest in Ruby and Rails developed when she realized programming could help lower costs associated with accessing critical geological data, thus improving geothermal energy feasibility.  
  - She encourages viewers that one doesn’t need to know all aspects of programming to create something useful, paralleling her journey in geology.  
- **Community Reflection:**  
  - Expressed gratitude for the Ruby community and shared the joy of participating in RailsConf 2021, highlighting the connections and learning opportunities within the tech space.

**Conclusions:**  
Sausan's talk encapsulates how interdisciplinary engagement, combining geology with software development, can drive innovative solutions in renewable energy. Her journey exemplifies the integration of different fields and encourages others to explore the intersections between their passions and technology.

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