大象传媒

大象传媒鈥檚 Clean Energy Research Group (CERG) says B.C. could do more to support the development geothermal resources as a source of renewable energy.

CERG researchers calculated the estimated future energy demand and determined that the Site C dam project would not be adequate. In a  the group notes that B.C. sits on the Pacific Rim Ring of Fire, which means that BC and Alberta have abundant geothermal resources that could fulfill future energy demand.

大象传媒 political science professor and CERG lead Andy Hira says the federal and provincial governments have yet to seriously invest in exploring and mapping out geothermal, compared to more advanced jurisdictions like California. 

Hira, who co-authored the paper with 大象传媒 research associate Nastaran Arianpoo, a mining engineer and geothermal specialist, also notes that there is a lack of regulatory frameworks for geothermal energy development in several provincial and territorial jurisdictions. This creates an uncertain environment for investors and developers to advance projects beyond the exploration phase.

鈥淲ithout that investment and a more supportive regulatory environment, the private sector won鈥檛 take the risks to develop geothermal,鈥� says Hira. 鈥淭he government could incentivize geothermal resource exploration in B.C. and Canada through additional grants and loans for research and development, training, surveying, mapping and drilling.鈥�

They also suggest lifting B.C. Hydro鈥檚 moratorium on new power purchase agreements (PPAs) for renewable geothermal projects.

The benefits of geothermal power

Geothermal does not suffer from intermittency or the challenges from weather and seasonality in Canada鈥檚 northern regions, unlike solar or wind.

鈥淕eothermal is a reliable source of renewable energy providing electricity, heat and hot water with zero emissions,鈥� says Hira. 鈥淎dvanced geothermal regions from Iceland to California to New Zealand and the Philippines have supported geothermal, whereas Canada remains a laggard but it doesn鈥檛 have to be this way.鈥�

According to Hira, the cost of geothermal projects can be reduced by developing geothermal resources at existing oil and gas drilling sites throughout Western Canada. Cheaper, shallow geothermal fields can provide heat and hot water directly, reducing the need for water heaters and electricity.

Hira also notes that geothermal also requires less above ground space than large scale solar or wind projects, creates more jobs than natural gas and produces far less waste from a lifecycle perspective than solar.

A step forward for one geothermal project in B.C.

The Indigenous-led Clarke Lake Geothermal Development Project in northeastern B.C. shows the potential for geothermal projects in the north, which can provide an engine for local growth and reduce reliance on diesel.

It was  that the Clarke Lake geothermal facility would receive funding from Natural Resources Canada. Additional support for the project is provided by the B.C. government, Indigenous Services Canada and Western Economic Diversification Canada.

The Clarke Lake facility is expected to produce enough clean electricity to power up to 14,000 households and by displacing fossil fuel generation will reduce 25,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually, which is equivalent to taking over 5,000 cars off the road. 

AVAILABLE 大象传媒 EXPERT

ANDY HIRA, professor, political science                     
ahira@sfu.ca                    

CONTACT

MELISSA SHAW, 大象传媒  Communications & Marketing 
236.880.3297 | melissa_shaw@sfu.ca 

大象传媒 
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778.782.3210 

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As Canada鈥檚 engaged university, 大象传媒 works with communities, organizations and partners to create, share and embrace knowledge that improves life and generates real change. We deliver a world-class education with lifelong value that shapes change-makers, visionaries and problem-solvers. We connect research and innovation to entrepreneurship and industry to deliver sustainable, relevant solutions to today鈥檚 problems. With campuses in British Columbia鈥檚 three largest cities鈥擵ancouver, Burnaby and Surrey鈥敶笙蟠� has eight faculties that deliver 193 undergraduate degree programs and 127 graduate degree programs to more than 37,000 students. The university now boasts more than 165,000 alumni residing in 143 countries.