Project location: CanmetENERGY Ottawa, Ottawa, ON
Timeline: 5 years (2023 to 2028)
Program: Funded by the Program of Energy R&D
Project Overview and Objectives
CanmetENERGY Ottawa is working to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of geothermal energy systems for heat and power for northern and remote communities. Its resource potential varies significantly across the north, from regions that have high geothermal gradients, such as hot sedimentary basins found in in parts of southeastern Yukon and western NWT, hot volcanic rock in southwestern Yukon; to the majority of the rest of the north that is underlain by crystalline rock of the Canadian Shield where the geothermal resource potential is much lower.
Our areas of research are:
- Deep enhanced geothermal systems (EGS): Deep EGS is a technology which harnesses geothermal energy from rock that is hot but has insufficient permeability. The rock is hydraulically stimulated to create a reservoir. Such systems may be developed for direct heat use, or power at greater (hotter) depths.
- Deep borehole heat exchange systems (DBHE) can be drilled more affordably than conventional geothermal wells by using smaller, cheaper, and more readily available drilling rigs (such as mining and water well rigs). These shallower (under 2 km) wells can be coupled WITH heat pumps to boost the temperature of the produced fluid to provide heat to large buildings, a collection of houses, or possibly a district heating system.
Impacts and Innovations
The results of our work will provide information that communities, commercial and military installations, and other stakeholders can use to make informed decisions about developing stable and durable energy systems.
Two main outcomes from the current work will be to understand the potential for deep EGS to meet the heat and power needs for remote communities located in regions with moderate to poor geothermal potential, and the potential for DBHEs to provide affordable heating in areas with good geothermal resources.
Contact CanmetENERGY in Ottawa
To learn more about this project, email our Office of Research Partnerships and External Relations.