Outside, air temperatures are cooling down, but beneath the surface, temperatures are hot - perfect for harnessing geothermal energy.
This summer, the Alberta Energy Regulator began accepting applications for geothermal resource development. As part of the Government of Alberta's plan to diversify the energy resource sector, the AER was directed to regulate the development of deep geothermal resources found below the base of groundwater protection.
Developing geothermal resources is another step towards alternative, renewable energy sources in Alberta to help meet the demand for power and heat. Geothermal energy has many uses, including electrical power generation, aquaculture, and heating greenhouses. Geothermal resources will provide power and heating for residential, industrial, and commercial buildings. And oil and gas operators will also be able to use geothermal resources to power their operations.
The Potential of Geothermal
Heat is produced under the Earth's surface in several ways, including heat from the Earth's core or by friction between rock formations. There are two types of geothermal resources: deep and shallow. Deep geothermal resources occur at depths where groundwater becomes saline (salty), as outlined in the base of groundwater protection. Shallow geothermal resources, on the other hand, occur at depths closer to the Earth's surface.
Deep geothermal resources can be accessed via open- or closed-loop systems.
In an open-loop system, two wells are drilled on the surface. Water is injected into one well and heated by the hot porous rock formation. The heated water is produced from the second well and transported via pipeline to a geothermal facility, where heat is extracted from the water and used for power generation or heating. The cooled water is reinjected into the rock formation and heated, continuing the cycle.
