News
Jul 31, 2008Calgary Herald: Alberta has a ‘long way to go’ for geothermal energy
The following Calgary Herald article explores the potential for enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) in Alberta. The article cites the Alberta EGS research of CanGEA Board Member Michal Moore. EGS will require further investigation and more comprehensive geothermal gradient mapping in Alberta and Canada. The article also mentions that EGS could be deployed in oilsands operations in the future.
A new study concludes geothermal energy has more potential than previously believed to provide a clean source of electricity and steam for Alberta residents and industries, including the oilsands.
But bringing such a project on stream would take years of study and millions of dollars to drill test wells that are twice as deep as the deepest typical gas wells, according to author Michal Moore of the Institute for Sustainable Energy, Environment and Economy at the University of Calgary.
To read the full article: Alberta has a ‘long way to go’ for geothermal energy
Jul 22, 2008
Company to purchase geothermal property in B.C.
Christopher James Gold Corp has announced that it has entered into a letter of intent with CanGEA member Candorado to acquire Candorado’s interest in the Canoe Creek Hot Springs Geothermal Project, purchase the Copper Creek Au-Cu Project and acquire a 60% interest in Candorado’s Tillicum Lake Au-Cu Project.
To view the full press release please visit: http://www.christopherjamesgold.com/news/index.php?&content_id=121
Jul 21, 2008
NewScientist.com: Geothermal powerplants could also consume CO2
Tim Simonite explores the concept of using enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) to consume CO2. In the article Simonite interviews Karsten Pruess, a hydro-geologist at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory in the US. The concept Pruess proposes is using CO2 to drive the closed loop EGS system. Pruess goes onto say that using CO2 to drive turbines in an EGS process could enhance energy output by up to 50%.
Pumping carbon dioxide through hot rocks could simultaneously generate power and mop up the greenhouse gases produced by fossil fuel power stations, according to a new study.
Harnessing geothermal power involves extracting heat from beneath the surface of the Earth. Normally, this means pumping water down through hot rocks and extracting it again. But the new analysis suggests carbon dioxide could extract heat from rocks more efficiently than water.
Karsten Pruess, a hydro-geologist at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory in the US, carried out the study and says carbon dioxide could theoretically boost the amount of energy produced by hydrothermal plants by 50% or more. At the same time, Pruess calculates that the technique could be used to dispose of the carbon dioxide produced by conventional power plants, which contribute to global warming
To read the full article: http://technology.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn10478&feedId=online-n
Jul 17, 2008
The Star: “Geothermal ‘not getting any love’”
In the following article Tyler Hamilton from the Toronto Star explores why geothermal energy in Canada is having difficulty getting appreciated in the public and by the Government of Canada. CanGEA Board Members Gary Thompson and Michal Moore are mentioned in the article, as well as CanGEA specifically. The article also investigates the unfortunate situation where companies such as CanGEA member company Sierra Geothermal Power are going to the U.S. to produce energy, where incentives for green production are greater than in Canada.
Canada’s obsession with “clean coal” and carbon capture technologies has left it blind to the vast potential of its own geothermal resources, says the head of one of the country’s few publicly traded developers of geothermal power.
Gary Thompson, chief executive of Sierra Geothermal Power Inc. of Vancouver, said the neglect has left Canada a laggard among peers who view emission-free geothermal power as a strategic part of their electricity mix.
“We’re one of the few countries with significant geothermal potential that’s not doing anything about it,” said Thompson, adding that the federal government has shown little interest, despite calls for more study. “It’s rather disconcerting. They’ve really been letting Canadians down.”
To read the full article: http://www.thestar.com/article/461711
Jul 15, 2008
CanGEA partners with Clean Energy Classrooms
CanGEA has sponsored the B.C. Sustainable Energy Association project Clean Energy Classrooms. Clean Energy Classrooms features a two-part directory of all of Canada’s currently available training and education options in renewable energy. It is run by Renewable Recruits, a green energy recruiting firm. The program will help bring exposure to clean energy training programs across Canada for the emerging industry.
To learn more please visit: http://www.cleanenergyclassrooms.ca/
