Unlocking Canada's Geothermal Potential
Geothermal energy can provide clean, reliable, and affordable baseload power. Given the alignment with technology used in oil and gas, Canada is well-positioned to compete in this rapidly advancing sector.
However, the full extent of Canada's geothermal resource is not known. Only 40% of the country has been mapped to date and these maps do not include all presently available data. High-quality temperature estimates at various depths are essential to select prospective geothermal sites and effectively manage risk. Without these data, investment in particular projects will be difficult to obtain, and the overall Canadian geothermal opportunity will remain underdeveloped.
Similar data gaps plagued the solar and wind industries for years, but the Government of Canada stepped in to develop resource maps. These maps created a massive public good that catalyzed the scale-up of renewable energy in Canada. However, no such dataset exists for Canada's geothermal resource.
It’s time for a new Canadian geothermal heat map. Researchers at the Cascade Institute are working to gather and integrate a much larger set of geologic and geophysical data and apply modern modelling tools to produce comprehensive, interactive thermal maps.
Cascade's proposed Canada Geothermal Mapping Initiative will fast-track the development of a robust, interactive map of the Canadian geothermal resource from sea to sea to sea.
Rebecca Pearce
Dr. Rebecca Pearce is Science Lead on the Ultradeep Geothermal program. Her research focuses on emerging geothermal and drilling technologies and the characterization of geothermal sites. Rebecca is an expert in applied magnetotellurics, contributing to projects in Chile, Northern BC and West Antarctica. She holds a PhD in Geophysics from University College London.
Emily Smejkal
Emily Smejkal is Policy Lead with the Cascade Institute Geothermal Energy Office (CI-GEO) and the Ultradeep Geothermal program. She is a specialist in Canadian geothermal geology and geothermal policy. Emily holds a BSc in Geology and Earth Science from the University of Calgary. She is the Vice President of Geothermal Canada.
This research is supported by the Accelerating Community Energy Transformation initiative, to which the Cascade Institute brings system theory analysis and complex problem-solving experience, unlocking high-leverage interventions including ultradeep geothermal to accelerate community energy transformation.
Ultradeep Geothermal Research & Analysis
The Deep Heat Advantage
Geothermal program
Gordon Brasnett, Megan Eyre, and Peter Massie
A techno-economic analysis of enhanced geothermal systems in western and northwestern Canada
Groundwork: Regulatory guidelines for making Canada a geothermal powerhouse
Ultradeep Geothermal program
Emily Smejkal, Princess Sharlynne Cosalan, Stephanie Rose Cortinovis
A report identifying best practices to help Canadian provinces establish effective geothermal regulations and make Canada a global clean energy leader.
AOSTRA: A model for funding geothermal innovation
Ultradeep Geothermal program
Emily Smejkal, Peter Massie, Leighton Gall
A case study of the Alberta Oil Sands Technology and Research Authority (AOSTRA) as a model for kickstarting geothermal innovation.
Prospecting for Superhot Rock Energy
Rebecca Pearce et al.
A technology gap analysis for siting and characterizing superhot rock energy resources.
Drilling for Superhot Geothermal Energy: A technology gap analysis
Rebecca Pearce, Tony Pink
A report that reviews state-of-the-art deep geothermal drilling and well-construction technologies, identifies existing technology gaps, and suggests strategies to overcome these gaps.
Ultradeep Geothermal Research and Action Roadmap
Leighton Gall, Dave Lovekin, Rebecca Pearce, Emily Smejkal
A roadmap outlining a plan to advance ultradeep geothermal power to commercial operation in Canada.
Deep Geothermal Superpower: Canada’s potential for a breakthrough in enhanced geothermal systems
Ian Graham, Ellen Quigley, Scott Janzwood, and Thomas Homer-Dixon
An opportunity analysis that makes the case that Canada can and should become the global leader in ultra-deep geothermal electricity production.Ultradeep Geothermal News & Views
Geothermal power is the key to cheaper energy in the Canadian Arctic
Gordon Brasnett, Leighton Gall, and Peter Massie
The Globe and Mail
To defend its sovereignty, Canada should launch Project AURORA – the Arctic Underground Research Observatory for Resource Advancement.
Can new tech finally wake Canada’s sleeping geothermal giant?
The National Observer
New technologies, geological know-how, and vast untapped resources are putting geothermal at Canada’s energy forefront, says an in-depth article in Canada’s National Observer.
Geothermal belongs in Canada’s industrial strategy
Emily Smejkal and Owen Henshaw
Times Colonist
Geothermal energy can meet domestic energy needs while positioning Canada as a global leader in clean energy services and technology.
How Canada can lead now in geothermal energy innovation
Emily Smejkal
The Future Economy
Canada is uniquely positioned to lead the next-generation geothermal energy boom by leveraging its oil and gas expertise, but it must act now with bold policy, investment, and coordination to seize the trillion-dollar opportunity.
Canada’s hidden heat: How regulations can power a geothermal breakthrough
Emily Smejkal
The National Observer
Provinces should act quickly to harmonize and extend geothermal regulations across the country.
How can Alberta and Ottawa be friends again? It begins with drilling
Peter Massie
The Globe and Mail
Drilling test centres in Alberta and Canada would establish the country as a global leader in geothermal power.
A bellwether for U.S. energy policy: Secretary of Energy Chris Wright’s approach to energy integration
Tim Bibby
Guest Commentary
U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright's record has implications for Canada and beyond.
DEEP Earth Energy unveils next-gen geothermal plant near Estevan
Peter Massie
The Energy Mix
DEEP Earth Energy arrives on the Canadian geothermal power scene.
U.S. Department of Energy ARPA-E SUPERHOT program: Cascade Institute reaction
Ultradeep Geothermal program team
Cascade Institute reaction
The U.S. Department of Energy announces a $30M SUPERHOT geothermal program.
Time to dig deep into a strategy for geothermal power
Peter Massie and Emily Smejkal
The Hill Times
Canada's opportunity to become a leader in geothermal power.
IEA Future of Geothermal report: Cascade Institute reaction
Cascade Institute Ultradeep Geothermal program team
Recent technological innovations have dramatically expanded geothermal's potential as a significant contributor to global electricity generation. By 2050, experts project geothermal will emerge as the third-largest source of power growth in the global renewable energy landscape. (PDF).
The Alberta Drilling Accelerator has the potential to redefine energy innovation
Peter Massie
Technology breakthroughs have unlocked geothermal potential well beyond these limits. These breakthroughs have given geothermal a completely new value proposition. Read about the recent adoptions and advances in geothermal power (PDF).
Breaking new ground: Geothermal in 2024
Peter Massie
Cascade Institute analysis
Technology breakthroughs have given geothermal a completely new value proposition.
Key to Canada’s growth? Recall the role of public money in developing Alberta Oil
Emily Smejkal, Peter Massie, and Thomas Homer-Dixon
The Globe and Mail
The potential for Canada's AOSTRA model (Alberta Oil Sands Technology and Research Authority) to serve as a blueprint to support energy innovation.
Major Cascade Institute funding to power up geothermal energy in Canada
Ultradeep Geothermal program team
Cascade Institute announcement
New funding massively upscales Canada’s R&D efforts in geothermal power.
Deep geothermal superpower: Positioning Canada for a breakthrough in next-generation geothermal systems
Ultradeep Geothermal program team
Cascade Institute announcement
The case for ultradeep geothermal energy and a strategic plan for Canada to capture this technological opportunity.
Canada needs to dig deep to become a world leader in geothermal technology
Rebecca Pearce and Ian Graham
The Globe and Mail
A worldwide race for next-generation geothermal technology has begun, and Canada can still emerge a leader.
Every politically feasible pathway to net-zero requires a technological breakthrough
Scott Janzwood
The National Observer
Distrust of new technology runs deep in the climate movement. But we don’t have the critical green technologies we need to get us to net-zero by 2050—and assuming we do is wishful thinking.
A big bet on geothermal could help prevent a climate catastrophe
Thomas Homer-Dixon, Ian Graham, and Ellen Quigley
The Globe and Mail
A government-industry research and development partnership in ultradeep geothermal would be a “moonshot” project that Canadians could rally around.
