PROPOSAL FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A GEOTHERMAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AUTHORITY (GEOSTRA) 

Canada stands at the threshold of a transformative energy opportunity. Recent technological breakthroughs have fundamentally changed geothermal energy's potential, evolving it from a niche technology requiring rare geological conditions to a scalable solution that could power communities across the nation.

Canada possesses unparalleled advantages to become the global leader in geothermal electricity production. Our world-class drilling expertise, developed through decades of oil and gas innovation, provides the foundation for accessing deep geothermal resources. As one expert noted, "Because Canada has such a strong background in oil and gas and a deep expertise in drilling, [accessing geothermal heat] isn't a technological issue. We know where the resources are, and how to access it."

The scale of opportunity is staggering. Canada's geothermal power potential exceeds one million times the country's current electrical consumption, with high-temperature resources identified in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories. Recent analysis suggests geothermal could meet up to 15% of global electricity demand growth through 2050, representing a $2.1 trillion investment opportunity worldwide.

However, realizing this potential requires coordinated action. While pioneering projects like DEEP's Saskatchewan facility and innovative initiatives in Alberta demonstrate early progress, Canada lacks the systematic approach needed to capture global leadership in this rapidly evolving sector. Other nations, including the United States with its recent $30 million SUPERHOT program, are moving aggressively to establish dominance in next-generation geothermal technologies.

The Imperative for GEOSTRA

To transform Canada's vast geothermal potential into commercial reality, we need an institution that can coordinate research, de-risk investment, and accelerate innovation across the entire value chain. GEOSTRA would serve as the catalyst for Canada's geothermal revolution, building on our proven energy expertise to establish technological leadership in this critical clean energy sector.

Canada's Geothermal Potential: The Case for GEOSTRA

Building on Success: The AOSTRA Model

AOSTRA: A Blueprint for Geothermal Innovation

GEOSTRA draws inspiration from one of Canada's most successful energy innovation initiatives: the Alberta Oil Sands Technology and Research Authority (AOSTRA). Established in 1974, AOSTRA transformed what many considered an impossible challenge—economically extracting oil from Alberta's oil sands—into a thriving industry that generates billions in economic value.

AOSTRA's approach was revolutionary: it used public-private partnerships to de-risk technological development, retained ownership of intellectual property while providing fair access to industry partners, and maintained focus on breakthrough technologies rather than incremental improvements. The authority's $1.4 billion investment (in 2019 dollars) yielded extraordinary returns, with technologies like Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) generating over $130 billion in gross revenues between 2017-2022 alone.

Today's geothermal challenge mirrors the oil sands situation of the 1970s: vast resources locked away by technological and economic barriers, requiring coordinated innovation to unlock commercial viability. GEOSTRA would apply AOSTRA's proven model to geothermal energy, positioning Canada as the global leader in next-generation geothermal technologies.

Connect with CI-GEO

Ready to explore Canada's geothermal future? Peter Massie, Director of the Cascade Institute's Geothermal Energy Office (CI-GEO), is leading the charge to establish GEOSTRA and unlock Canada's vast geothermal potential.

Contact Peter Massie:  
Director, Geothermal Energy Office (CI-GEO)
Cascade Institute, Royal Roads University
E-mail: massie@cascadeinstitute.org