Why Geothermal?
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Geothermal energy is an internationally recognized clean, sustainable and renewable source of affordable heat and power. It is obtained by pulling hot water from deep below the earth’s surface and running it through a turbine to produce electricity with low or no emissions. After the hot water is used to make clean electricity, and before the water is reinjected, the remaining heat can be used for a variety of commercial, industrial, or entrepreneurial endeavours, including fish farming, greenhouse heating, district heating, pasteurization, material drying and snow melting. The experience of countries around the world shows us the great potential of geothermal heat and power. With legislative and regulatory support, we can harness the potential of geothermal here in Canada, and use it to create reliable green energy, jobs, and economic prosperity.
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Schematic of a Hydrothermal Binary Power Plant (Source: Augustine et al. Guidebook to Geothermal Power Finance. 2012)
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Send this letter to your MP and MLA:
Dear Elected Official,
As a voter in your constituency, I’m contacting you to let you know about Canada’s geothermal potential, and to advocate for its use. Geothermal energy is the Earth’s own internal heat and is incredibly versatile. Some examples of its uses include greenhouse agriculture, refrigeration, space heating, tourism, and electrical generation. While particularly visible in the western Provinces, geothermal resources are found throughout all of Canada. With this renewable form of energy, we can use Canadian expertise in sub-surface resource development to create sustainable and permanent jobs.
There is now a critical opportunity to expand our country’s green energy and economic growth in order to meet the Federal goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. Geothermal energy is a baseload energy form that can heavily contribute to reducing Canada’s GHG emissions. In order to accomplish this, more action is needed to help level the playing field for geothermal developers.
In addition to the changes needed on the Federal level, the Provinces and Territories can play an important role in helping to level the playing field for the geothermal industry. Local geothermal developers are in need of robust Provincial/Territorial regulatory framework, as well as direct support matching that which other renewable energy sources such as wind and solar receive. I strongly encourage Provincial or Territorial representatives reading this letter to contact the Canadian Geothermal Energy Association (CanGEA) for further details on the specific policy needs of geothermal developers in your area.
In 2018, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources issued a report titled, “Rethinking Canada’s Energy Information System: Collaborative Models in a Data-Driven Economy” that stated:
“Some Canadian energy information is incomplete or lacking…[E]nergy topics that need better coverage include… new renewable energy sectors such as geothermal [energy].” (Pg. 11)
Improved data coverage would help developers better understand Canada’s geothermal resources. Geothermal developers can become full and effective players in Canada’s renewable energy future if the right changes are made.
CanGEA has identified the following points as keyways to support geothermal development in Canada:
1. That the Government of Canada provide funding for CanGEA to scale up its geothermal energy literacy pilot into a Pan-Canadian initiative.
A well-informed populace is key to moving forward with renewable energy project developments and to meet Canada’s GHG reduction goals; providing support for renewable energy literacy workshops will go a long way in helping Canadians get on board with mitigating climate change.
2. That the Government of Canada create a geothermal risk reduction program to help mobilize risk capital towards exploratory and production geothermal well drilling.
Geothermal drilling risk reduction programs have a proven record for increasing project developments globally. Developing a drilling risk reduction program in Canada could help accelerate the development of Canada’s geothermal energy industry.
3. The Government of Canada can help further grow the geothermal industry in Canada by focusing their attention now on geothermal heat only projects.
Both Federal and Provincial governments have recently funded more capital-intensive geothermal electricity projects. As important as these early-stage projects are, geothermal electricity projects cannot be replicated easily in Canada. In order to currently maximize Canada’s geothermal resources and help launch the geothermal industry, the Federal Government should develop programs and incentives for geothermal heat only projects.
These 3 recommendations would help promote the development of clean, reliable, and affordable geothermal energy development in Canada. Climate change mitigation and clean growth are both better served by increased government support for geothermal heat and electricity.
When the opportunity comes for you to comment on programs and regulations, in provincial or territorial legislatures, and in particular as the Federal, Provincial and Territorially Budgets are drafted, I ask that you support geothermal energy by making sure the recommendations written above are present so that Canada can be a prosperous and more sustainable country.
Sincerely,
Your name.
As a voter in your constituency, I’m contacting you to let you know about Canada’s geothermal potential, and to advocate for its use. Geothermal energy is the Earth’s own internal heat and is incredibly versatile. Some examples of its uses include greenhouse agriculture, refrigeration, space heating, tourism, and electrical generation. While particularly visible in the western Provinces, geothermal resources are found throughout all of Canada. With this renewable form of energy, we can use Canadian expertise in sub-surface resource development to create sustainable and permanent jobs.
There is now a critical opportunity to expand our country’s green energy and economic growth in order to meet the Federal goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. Geothermal energy is a baseload energy form that can heavily contribute to reducing Canada’s GHG emissions. In order to accomplish this, more action is needed to help level the playing field for geothermal developers.
In addition to the changes needed on the Federal level, the Provinces and Territories can play an important role in helping to level the playing field for the geothermal industry. Local geothermal developers are in need of robust Provincial/Territorial regulatory framework, as well as direct support matching that which other renewable energy sources such as wind and solar receive. I strongly encourage Provincial or Territorial representatives reading this letter to contact the Canadian Geothermal Energy Association (CanGEA) for further details on the specific policy needs of geothermal developers in your area.
In 2018, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources issued a report titled, “Rethinking Canada’s Energy Information System: Collaborative Models in a Data-Driven Economy” that stated:
“Some Canadian energy information is incomplete or lacking…[E]nergy topics that need better coverage include… new renewable energy sectors such as geothermal [energy].” (Pg. 11)
Improved data coverage would help developers better understand Canada’s geothermal resources. Geothermal developers can become full and effective players in Canada’s renewable energy future if the right changes are made.
CanGEA has identified the following points as keyways to support geothermal development in Canada:
1. That the Government of Canada provide funding for CanGEA to scale up its geothermal energy literacy pilot into a Pan-Canadian initiative.
A well-informed populace is key to moving forward with renewable energy project developments and to meet Canada’s GHG reduction goals; providing support for renewable energy literacy workshops will go a long way in helping Canadians get on board with mitigating climate change.
2. That the Government of Canada create a geothermal risk reduction program to help mobilize risk capital towards exploratory and production geothermal well drilling.
Geothermal drilling risk reduction programs have a proven record for increasing project developments globally. Developing a drilling risk reduction program in Canada could help accelerate the development of Canada’s geothermal energy industry.
3. The Government of Canada can help further grow the geothermal industry in Canada by focusing their attention now on geothermal heat only projects.
Both Federal and Provincial governments have recently funded more capital-intensive geothermal electricity projects. As important as these early-stage projects are, geothermal electricity projects cannot be replicated easily in Canada. In order to currently maximize Canada’s geothermal resources and help launch the geothermal industry, the Federal Government should develop programs and incentives for geothermal heat only projects.
These 3 recommendations would help promote the development of clean, reliable, and affordable geothermal energy development in Canada. Climate change mitigation and clean growth are both better served by increased government support for geothermal heat and electricity.
When the opportunity comes for you to comment on programs and regulations, in provincial or territorial legislatures, and in particular as the Federal, Provincial and Territorially Budgets are drafted, I ask that you support geothermal energy by making sure the recommendations written above are present so that Canada can be a prosperous and more sustainable country.
Sincerely,
Your name.
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Your information
Your postal code is required to select your local elected officials. A copy of the email will also be sent to the Prime Minister, Federal Minister of Natural Resources, Minister of Finance, Minister of National Revenue and Federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change as well. |
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powEARTHful is a public engagement initiative of the Canadian Geothermal Energy Association (CanGEA). CanGEA is the collective voice of Canada’s geothermal energy industry. As a non-profit association, we engage in advocacy and public outreach efforts that promote the exploration and development of geothermal resources in Canada. Geothermal energy can provide competitively priced, renewable, round-the-clock energy in Canada.
Be part of the change. Be powEARTHful.
Copyright © 2021, CanGEA.
Be part of the change. Be powEARTHful.
Copyright © 2021, CanGEA.
