Large geothermal potential identified in Northwestern Alberta, Canada
Smoky River Valley, Northwestern Alberta, Canada (source: flickr/ Jason Hollinger, creative commons)
Alexander Richter
9 Nov 2016
A new research study conducted in a county in Northwestern Alberta has identified a geothermal potential of up to 80 MW in power generation capacity for this small community in the province of Alberta, Canada.
A recent study conducted by researchers of the University of Alberta, shows up to 80 MW in geothermal potential in the Grand Prairie County in Northwestern Alberta, Canada.
The study describes a potential that could fuel up to 80,000 homes for 30 years, so the researcher who presented the interim results to councillers of the region this week.
“It is pretty significant,” Jonathan Banks, a researcher with the University of Alberta. “It’s not going to replace the five gigawatts of coal power we’re taking offline but it is enough to provide clean, renewable energy for Grande Prairie county.”
“This is the resource that we know we can develop now. There are other resources out there that might require further exploration, or some further confirmation or new technology. These 80 megawatts … we could develop right now with existing technology.”
In the study, the researchers searched a radius around five communities, with most of the potential being identified in an area between two cieities.
The Planning and Economic Development department of the county will now be asking for funding to be set aside. With that funding t the county could participate in a continuation of the project that will look into the economic potential of the findings.
Banks said researchers will be studying economic, regulatory and social questions.
“How much is it really going to cost? Who’s going to benefit? What is the real environmental impact and what are the regulations in place – or what regulations need to be in place?”
Source: Daily Herald Tribune
