Geothermal: Canada's Hottest Natural Energy Resource
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Last week, along with approximately 150 others, I attended the first ever CanGEA Geothermal Energy Conference at the new convention centre in Vancouver. It was a tremendous three day event, consisting of a workshop and open house, an industry day and a technical program. By all indication, the geothermal industry is well served by CanGEA.
Geothermal energy, not to be confused with its cousin geo-exchange, is capable of utility-scale generation of electricity. What is unique (and great) about geothermal energy is that it is low-impact, base load (ie, non-intermittent), cost-effective and widely available. It really is the "greenest" of all renewable power. About 10 GW of geothermal electric capacity is installed around the world as of 2007, generating 0.3% of global electricity demand. The US, Philippines and Indonesia are the global leaders in installed geothermal electric capacity. And because of its geographic location on earth, British Columbia is home to some world class geothermal energy resources.
While there are no geothermal facilities currently generating electricity in the province, I am aware of two BC publicly traded companies currently conducting geothermal exploration in British Columbia Western GeoPower has operations which are close to commercial viability at South Meager Creek (north of Pemberton). It is also developing a 35MW geothermal plant in the Geysers region of northern California. Sierra Geothermal Power Corp. recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the Da'naxda'xw/Awaetlala Nation to develop geothermal power projects on their traditional lands, covering approximately 800,000 hectares (2 million acres) in the Knight Inlet area of British Columbia.
In my view, it is time that British Columbia and Canada (there are also good resources in the North) catch up to the rest of the world and put geothermal energy on the renewable energy to do list. The opportunities for this home based green energy natural resource are too good to pass up. Now is the time to move towards CanGEA's goal of 5,000 MW of installed geothermal energy resources by 2015. I truly believe with a little help, such as the federal government renewing the EcoEnergy for Renewable Power program, this can be done.
