Geothermal power is the key to cheaper energy in the Canadian Arctic
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John Hollins
Oct 23, 2025, 12:57:34 PMOct 23
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Technology evolving -- as usual.
Canada is on thin ice if it can’t defend its Northern sovereignty. Warming is making the Arctic more accessible and vulnerable, and powerful countries – including a newly predatory United States – are moving to secure influence in the region.
. . . energy costs in the Canadian Arctic are among the world’s highest. Most Northern communities, military bases and industrial sites rely almost entirely on diesel . . . shipped from the South. For decades, this polluting system has been vulnerable to disruption and is absurdly expensive.
The solution is nearby. . . . Until recently, engineers could tap geothermal power only where hot rock and a naturally occurring water reservoir were relatively close to the surface. But new breakthroughs – hybrid drill bits that slice through granite, automated rigs that steer with surgical precision and closed-loop well designs that harvest heat without relying on underground water – have expanded the geological conditions where geothermal energy sources can be viable.
Richard van der Jagt
Oct 23, 2025, 6:46:27 PMOct 23
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it's worth pointing out that we could use those already trained in drilling for oil to drill for geothermal.
This results in transitioning workers from the ff industry to the renewable sector.
This would be so much better for our planet and our health.
Richard van der Jagt
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--Cheers,John
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Cacor Canada
Oct 23, 2025, 7:40:37 PMOct 23
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We known this for several decades.
Some in Alberta have been working on it for some time.
I recommended to the Notley government a decade ago that they pursue geothermal energy in a big way.
Dave Dougherty
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From AI
Alberta is harnessing geothermal energy as a renewable resource for electricity generation, with projects like the Alberta No. 1 facility set to produce 10 MW of clean electricity.
Current Projects
The Alberta No. 1 geothermal energy facility is a significant development in the province, representing the first conventional geothermal energy project. This facility will consist of a wellfield, an electrical generation plant, and infrastructure for district heating. It is expected to generate 10 MW of clean electricity and provide 985 TJ/year of clean heat, significantly reducing carbon emissions by offsetting
over 97,000 tonnes of CO2 annually.
The project has received substantial funding and is anticipated to create nearly
300 jobs.
Geothermal Energy Overview
Geothermal energy is derived from the heat stored beneath the Earth's surface, which can be utilized for both heating and electricity generation. In Alberta, the geothermal potential is primarily found in low to medium temperature resources, ranging from 80°C to 170°C. These resources can be harnessed through various systems, including hydrothermal systems with naturally occurring hot aquifers and enhanced geothermal systems that involve injecting water into hot, dry rock.
Regulatory Framework
The Geothermal Resource Development Act (GRDA), enacted in December 2021, establishes a regulatory framework for the responsible development of geothermal resources in Alberta. This act is administered by the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) and covers deep geothermal resources, ensuring that development is conducted safely and sustainably.
Future Potential
Geothermal energy in Alberta remains largely untapped, with significant potential for both residential and commercial applications. The province's geological formations, particularly in the western regions, are conducive to deep geothermal development, which can exceed temperatures of 120°C. This energy source is seen as a viable alternative to meet Alberta's growing demand for power and heat, especially as the province seeks to diversify its energy portfolio.
In summary, Alberta is making strides in geothermal energy development, with projects like Alberta No. 1 paving the way for cleaner electricity generation and a more sustainable energy future. The regulatory framework and geological potential further support the growth of this renewable energy source in the province.
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From: cacor-di...@googlegroups.com <cacor-di...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Richard van der Jagt <rvdj...@gmail.com>
Sent: October 23, 2025 6:45 PM
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Subject: Re: [cacor-discussion] Geothermal power is the key to cheaper energy in the Canadian Arctic
Sent: October 23, 2025 6:45 PM
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Subject: Re: [cacor-discussion] Geothermal power is the key to cheaper energy in the Canadian Arctic
David Harries
Oct 24, 2025, 12:15:03 PMOct 24
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Electric Drills ?
Drilling remediation?
DH
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Sent: Thursday, October 23rd 2025, 06:45 PM
Subject: Re: [cacor-discussion] Geothermal power is the key to cheaper energy in the Canadian Arctic
it's worth pointing out that we could use those already trained in drilling for oil to drill for geothermal.
This results in transitioning workers from the ff industry to the renewable sector.This would be so much better for our planet and our health.Richard van der Jagt
On Thu, Oct 23, 2025 at 12:57 PM John Hollins <holl...@gmail.com> wrote:
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Cheers,John
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Art Hunter
Oct 24, 2025, 2:21:59 PMOct 24
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As a reminder, there are two of the universe's many nuclear reactions (very long lifetime - million or billions of years) that we have access to for electricity and heat at very high temperatures (say 6,000 C) in the sun and the molten lead centre of the earth. All we have to do is to go and collect the energy. It is well known that solar energy is easy to collect with specialty collectors whereas geothermal is open to a much wider variety of collection methods. Drilling down to the very hot rocks and pumping water down to recover steam to turn generators is popular but there are cheaper ways to collect geothermal energy. It depends on the temperature you want a working fluid to return to your surface system. Temperatures less than the boiling point of water are far cheaper to deliver to the surface.
I just looked at the temperature of the circulating returning fluid (water and 25% ethanol) in my collector and it is at a comfortable 16 C. I put this into a heat pump and pump it up to 45 C for hot water and home heating while returning the working fluid temperature back underground at about 9 degrees C. This is very cost effective and thermally efficient use of geothermal heat. I only have my ground heat exchangers down 2 metres from the surface. Yes, going deeper would improve thermal efficiency but cost much more.
There are usable geothermal systems that are buried about one metre down due to rock and other local conditions.
On Thu, Oct 23, 2025 at 12:57 PM John Hollins <holl...@gmail.com> wrote:
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--Cheers,John
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Bob Este
Oct 24, 2025, 3:27:02 PMOct 24
to Art Hunter, John Hollins, Geoffrey Strong, Ruben Nelson, David Dougherty, Richard van der Jagt, David Harries, 'SamratB' via cacor-discussion, MOI, cacor-public
Art et al — as a young person growing up in the 1950s and early 1960s in Timmins, Ontario, every day I saw the nearby and highly-visible landmark Hollinger mine headframe that overlooked the town (later the city).
Everyone I ever knew back then had a dad or uncle or older brother who worked in the mines or in closely-related industries or services, or knew someone who did. Our family was populated by engineers, engineering technologists, educators, land surveyors, and town planners — so: no direct underground mining experience there.
But, I recall informal conversations around the dinner table about the hard-rock mining going on under our feet that we could hear, smell and occasionally feel. We knew, though so many channels, the history and the life-blood coursing through the veins of our community. Hard-rock mining defined our very existence.
Back then, common knowledge on the street was that the deepest rock at of the very bottom of the main Hollinger shaft was so hot that further downward drilling (and ongoing work) was becoming impossible.
As I recall (as best as I can), the constant ambient temperatures at the bottom of the shaft were said to be near to +145F — not exactly “survivable” working conditions for mere humans. The heat was seen as an obstacle to further extractive mining.
As I also recall, not too many people back then thought very much about this sort of constant, reliable heat energy being captured in any practical or useful ways.
Fast forward to the current era. Other hard-rock mines continue to be developed to go after the “low hanging fruit”. The limits to extraction will be reached, over and over again.
And each hard-rock mine will almost certainly end up with a “hot bottom” even as they “run out” of ore — if not “hot”, certainly warmer than at the surface.
Reliable deep Earth heat sources, the evidence for which I recall being informally discussed at suppertime lo those many years ago, will be around for much, much longer than we will.
Onwards / cheers / Bob
On Oct 24, 2025, at 12:21 PM, Art Hunter <art....@gmail.com> wrote:As a reminder, there are two of the universe's many nuclear reactions (very long lifetime - million or billions of years) that we have access to for electricity and heat at very high temperatures (say 6,000 C) in the sun and the molten lead centre of the earth. All we have to do is to go and collect the energy. It is well known that solar energy is easy to collect with specialty collectors whereas geothermal is open to a much wider variety of collection methods. Drilling down to the very hot rocks and pumping water down to recover steam to turn generators is popular but there are cheaper ways to collect geothermal energy. It depends on the temperature you want a working fluid to return to your surface system. Temperatures less than the boiling point of water are far cheaper to deliver to the surface.I just looked at the temperature of the circulating returning fluid (water and 25% ethanol) in my collector and it is at a comfortable 16 C. I put this into a heat pump and pump it up to 45 C for hot water and home heating while returning the working fluid temperature back underground at about 9 degrees C. This is very cost effective and thermally efficient use of geothermal heat. I only have my ground heat exchangers down 2 metres from the surface. Yes, going deeper would improve thermal efficiency but cost much more.There are usable geothermal systems that are buried about one metre down due to rock and other local conditions.On Thu, Oct 23, 2025 at 12:57 PM John Hollins <holl...@gmail.com> wrote:Technology evolving -- as usual.Canada is on thin ice if it can’t defend its Northern sovereignty. Warming is making the Arctic more accessible and vulnerable, and powerful countries – including a newly predatory United States – are moving to secure influence in the region.. . . energy costs in the Canadian Arctic are among the world’s highest. Most Northern communities, military bases and industrial sites rely almost entirely on diesel . . . shipped from the South. For decades, this polluting system has been vulnerable to disruption and is absurdly expensive.The solution is nearby. . . . Until recently, engineers could tap geothermal power only where hot rock and a naturally occurring water reservoir were relatively close to the surface. But new breakthroughs – hybrid drill bits that slice through granite, automated rigs that steer with surgical precision and closed-loop well designs that harvest heat without relying on underground water – have expanded the geological conditions where geothermal energy sources can be viable.
< SNIP >
John Hollins
Oct 24, 2025, 5:22:28 PMOct 24
to art....@gmail.com, geoff.s...@gmail.com, ruben...@shaw.ca, directf...@hotmail.com, rvdj...@gmail.com, jdsha...@bell.net, cacor-di...@googlegroups.com, cacor-...@googlegroups.com, be...@mac.com
The energy in the sun is from nuclear fusion, hydrogen to helium.
The energy in the centre of the earth is derived from the radioactve decay of Uranium-238 and a string of 14 radioactive decay isotopes. The half life of U238 is 4.5 billion years, the same as the age of the earth. So half remains. Art’s source is good for a while.
The centre of the earth is believed to be an alloy of iron and nickel. The central core is solid, despite its temperature, as a result of the high pressure.
The Canadian shield is a thick layer of precambrian rock. It covers all of the Canadian arctic. There is very little soil on top. So, Art’s technique of digging a shallow trench would not work. The depth of drilling would be substatial. And it would be through rock, not like drilling for oil or fossil gas.
Cheers,
John
Art et al — as a young person growing up in the 1950s and early 1960s in Timmins, Ontario, every day I saw the nearby and highly-visible landmark Hollinger mine headframe that overlooked the town (later the city).
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