In a recent interview with Roy Hales of the ECOreport, CanGEA’s Managing Director Alison Thompson and Policy Advisor Justin Crewson discussed the intricacies of developing geothermal in Canada. Many of the topics covered in the interview include:

• The geothermal resource in British Columbia and the comparison between it and the rest of the North American market (the U.S. and Mexico) that has geologically similar settings, and thus show that for BC “the sky is the limit”
• Geothermal power is not in competition with other power sources, such as hydro, but is instead complimentary
• The ability for the development of a geothermal power industry to be able to attract additional industries to the province because of the prospect of a low-cost, steady power source (e.g. Iceland and the aluminum processing industry)
• The advantages of the by-product of geothermal: it’s waste heat left over after it has been used to produce power, and its ability to give rise to entrepreneurial and localized business ventures that would utilize this waste heat
• The difficulty of developing geothermal in Canada, and the fact that Canada is actually an attractive place for international companies to come and raise money for geothermal through our strong, resource-based stock exchange and to use it towards geothermal projects in other countries around the world where geothermal is actually supported, instead of investing in Canada’s own ample geothermal resource

Borealis’s projects are discussed in the interview, specifically around the 23-minute mark.
To listen to the interview, click here.
For more on CanGEA and their activities, please visit their website.
To learn more about the ECOreport, please visit their website.

“Largely untapped, geothermal energy has the potential to become a major source of renewable energy in Alberta and across Canada. It’s clean, leaves a small environmental footprint, and it works as both a baseload and a dispatchable power supply. That is, once in production, geothermal energy can produce electricity on demand, day or night- unlike the green energy that relies on less predictable patterns of wind and sun.”
APEGA highlights opportunities for the Canadian geothermal energy industry in its Winter Issue this month, stating that the decommissioning of coal plants, the need for local power, and technology transfer opportunities with the oil and gas and mining sectors makes geothermal a solution to a number of its energy needs. Amongst those interviewed include Alison Thompson, Chair of CanGEA and Borealis GeoPower’s Craig Dunn, who speak about opportunities for geothermal power in Canada and the roadmap in getting this power to market.
Dr. Michael Moore, Professor of energy economics at the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy rang his belief in geothermal energy audible: “There’s huge potential in Alberta to feed geothermal energy to the power grid, along with solar and wind power. With growing environmental concerns, we must investigate alternatives to fossil fuel,” he says. “Having a diverse system is in everyone’s best interest.”
Read the PEG_Winter2014.

Geothermal 101
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)
11762-106 street NW Edmonton, AB T5G 2R1
January 30, 2014
12:15 PM – 1:15 PM


NAIT’s technical training and applied education is designed to meet the demands of Alberta’s industries – graduates have the knowledge and skills employers want.
Craig Dunn will be teaching about the economic benefits of geothermal energy and how it will help these alternative energy students.


About the presenter:
Craig Dunn, P. Geo:
Scientist, entrepreneur and energy fanatic, Craig Dunn is always working hard to be ahead of the curve.  Mr.Dunn started WellDunn Consulting, a geological consulting firm for the oil and gas industry, and worked on many of the early stage exploration programs from the Bakken in SE Saskatchewan to tight gas plays in NE BC.  He is the founder of tech startup, WaterSeal technology, and amassed and led the YYCHelps volunteer army during the 2013 Calgary flood.  As Chief Geologist with Borealis Geopower, he is considered one of the leading experts and pioneers in geothermal energy exploration and development initiatives in Canada.  A father of two, he is always thinking of the world that we are leaving for the next generation. @loveyourrock

Geothermal 101 Workshop
The Calgary Petroleum Club
The Trophy Lounge
December 18, 2014
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Lunch included
The economic, social and environmental benefits of geothermal energy are profound and can solve some of Canada’s greatest current challenges, such as climate change, employment shortages, economic recovery and community development.
Craig Dunn, Chief Geologist of Borealis GeoPower, will be speaking at the Calgary Petroleum Club to highlight the potential for geothermal energy in Canada’s energy mix and its benefits to the Canadian economy. For more information about the event, visit http://goo.gl/xksQO1.