Borealis seeks to improve community health by decarbonizing local airsheds
The Village of Valemount is nestled in the Robson Valley, away from access to conventional energy sources.
The Village currently uses heat derived from electricity, propane and wood-burning stoves.
The Valemount District Heating System (VDHS) is a low-cost geothermal energy solution with a carbon-free footprint.
The Village currently uses heat derived from electricity, propane and wood-burning stoves.
The Valemount District Heating System (VDHS) is a low-cost geothermal energy solution with a carbon-free footprint.
Jobs and Economic Benefits
Sustainaville will generate social and economic benefits, including employment, training and business opportunities. The project will support many full-time jobs during implementation and development, and continued full-time operations jobs after completion.
Project History
Borealis GeoPower began project plans in 2009 with strategic planning, desktop work, and relationship building. By 2010, Borealis GeoPower successfully acquired a BC Geothermal Resources Act Permit via a sealed bid public competition during a Geothermal Tenure sales process. Borealis acquired an additional geothermal permit in 2016 via an Order in Council. A geothermal permit grants the holder an exclusive right to undertake the investigation of the potential geothermal resource.
Field exploration and reservoir model development followed the granting of the first geothermal permit. The project was initially envisioned as a 15 MW base-load electricity plant that would be tied into the BC Hydro grid and under contract with their Standing Offer Program. A first step along the way to a large-scale plant was the development of a demonstration project,[1] ~250 kW, that would be under contract with BC Hydro’s Micro Standing Offer Program. When BC Hydro indefinitely suspended their Standing Offer Program in 2019,[2] the project pivoted to a direct-use of heat opportunity.
[1] Learn More.
[2] BC Hydro, Standing Offer Program, last modified: March 20 2019.
Field exploration and reservoir model development followed the granting of the first geothermal permit. The project was initially envisioned as a 15 MW base-load electricity plant that would be tied into the BC Hydro grid and under contract with their Standing Offer Program. A first step along the way to a large-scale plant was the development of a demonstration project,[1] ~250 kW, that would be under contract with BC Hydro’s Micro Standing Offer Program. When BC Hydro indefinitely suspended their Standing Offer Program in 2019,[2] the project pivoted to a direct-use of heat opportunity.
[1] Learn More.
[2] BC Hydro, Standing Offer Program, last modified: March 20 2019.