ULTRADEEP GEOTHERMAL

Ultradeep geothermal is an emerging renewable energy system that can supply both heat and dispatchable baseload power. It involves drilling >5 km into igneous and metamorphic rock (i.e., into the “basement” or Canadian Shield) and then heating a circulating fluid that is brought up to the surface.

The Cascade Institute’s Ultradeep Geothermal program provides timely research and analysis on the technological, regulatory, financial, and social obstacles facing ultradeep geothermal to guide technology companies, investors, and public sector actors.

The Cascade Institute also provides the Canadian and international communities focused on accelerating ultradeep geothermal with strategic advice and policy leadership through its Geothermal Energy Office in Ottawa (CI-GEO).

Ultradeep Geothermal Research & Analysis

Prospecting for superhot rock energy

Rebecca Pearce et al.
Summary of a technology gap analysis for siting and characterizing superhot rock energy resources.
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Drilling for Superhot Geothermal Energy: A Technology Gap Analysis

Rebecca Pearce, Tony Pink
This report reviews state-of-the-art deep geothermal drilling and well-construction technologies, identifies existing technology gaps, and suggests strategies to overcome these gaps.
Read More

Ultradeep Geothermal Research and Action Roadmap

Leighton Gall, Dave Lovekin, Rebecca Pearce, Emily Smejkal
This Roadmap outlines a plan to advance ultradeep geothermal power—that is, geothermal systems with depths greater than 5 km—to commercial operation in Canada.
Read More

Deep Geothermal Superpower: Canada’s potential for a breakthrough in enhanced geothermal systems

Ian Graham, Ellen Quigley, Scott Janzwood, and Thomas Homer-Dixon
This opportunity analysis makes the case that Canada can and should become the global leader in ultra-deep geothermal electricity production.
Read More

Prospecting for superhot rock energy

Rebecca Pearce et al.
Summary of a technology gap analysis for siting and characterizing superhot rock energy resources.
Read More

Drilling for Superhot Geothermal Energy: A Technology Gap Analysis

Rebecca Pearce, Tony Pink
This report reviews state-of-the-art deep geothermal drilling and well-construction technologies, identifies existing technology gaps, and suggests strategies to overcome these gaps.
Read More

Ultradeep Geothermal Research and Action Roadmap

Leighton Gall, Dave Lovekin, Rebecca Pearce, Emily Smejkal
This Roadmap outlines a plan to advance ultradeep geothermal power—that is, geothermal systems with depths greater than 5 km—to commercial operation in Canada.
Read More

Deep Geothermal Superpower: Canada’s potential for a breakthrough in enhanced geothermal systems

Ian Graham, Ellen Quigley, Scott Janzwood, and Thomas Homer-Dixon
This opportunity analysis makes the case that Canada can and should become the global leader in ultra-deep geothermal electricity production.
Read More

Ultradeep Geothermal News & Views

DEEP Earth Energy

DEEP Earth Energy unveils next-gen geothermal plant near Estevan

The Cascade Institute’s Geothermal Energy Office Director Pete Massie spoke with The Energy Mix about developments in Canada’s geothermal sector. Deep Earth Energy Production (DEEP) has launched Canada’s first commercial-scale geothermal power facility near Estevan, Saskatchewan. Last week, DEEP partnered with international drilling and geothermal leader SLB to develop the project.  Together, DEEP and SLB […]
Read More

U.S. Department of Energy ARPA-E SUPERHOT Program: Cascade Institute Reaction

Cascade Institute Ultradeep Geothermal program team
The Cascade Institute's reaction to the U.S. Department of Energy's $30M SUPERHOT program announcement. As Canada seeks to scale its own geothermal energy potential, this initiative is a reminder of the transformative possibilities that arise when vision, resources, and expertise converge.
Read More

Time to dig deep into a strategy for geothermal power

Peter Massie and Emily Smejkal
Strategic investments in innovation and a supportive policy context could build on a proven made-in-Canada model to position the country at the forefront of geothermal power.
Read More

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).
Read More

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).
Read More

Breaking New Ground: Geothermal in 2024

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).
Read More

Key to Canada’s Growth? Recall the Role of Public Money in Developing Alberta Oil

Emily Smejkal, Peter Massie, and Thomas Homer-Dixon
This Globe and Mail opinion piece explores the potential for Canada's AOSTRA model (Alberta Oil Sands Technology and Research Authority) to serve as a blueprint for support energy innovation.
Read More

Major Cascade Institute Funding to Power Up Geothermal Energy in Canada

Ultradeep Geothermal Program Team
The funding massively upscales Canada’s research and development efforts in geothermal power and supports its national commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 to address the climate crisis.
Read More

Deep Geothermal Superpower: Positioning Canada for a Breakthrough in Next-Generation Geothermal Systems

Cascade Institute Ultradeep Geothermal Team
This position paper outlines the case for ultradeep geothermal energy and offers a strategic plan for Canada to capture this technological opportunity.
Read More

Canada Needs to Dig Deep to Become a World Leader in Geothermal Technology

Rebecca Pearce and Ian Graham
A worldwide race for next-generation geothermal technology has begun – and Canada needs to get serious about joining, lest it fall to the back of the alternative-energy pack.
Read More

Every Politically Feasible Pathway to Net-Zero Requires a Technological Breakthrough

National Observer article by Scott Janzwood
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.
Read More

A big bet on geothermal could help prevent a climate catastrophe

Globe and Mail article by Thomas Homer-Dixon, Ian Graham, and Ellen Quigley — A government-industry research and development partnership in ultradeep geothermal would be a “moonshot” project that Canadians could rally around.
Read More
DEEP Earth Energy

DEEP Earth Energy unveils next-gen geothermal plant near Estevan

The Cascade Institute’s Geothermal Energy Office Director Pete Massie spoke with The Energy Mix about developments in Canada’s geothermal sector. Deep Earth Energy Production (DEEP) has launched Canada’s first commercial-scale geothermal power facility near Estevan, Saskatchewan. Last week, DEEP partnered with international drilling and geothermal leader SLB to develop the project.  Together, DEEP and SLB […]
Read More

U.S. Department of Energy ARPA-E SUPERHOT Program: Cascade Institute Reaction

Cascade Institute Ultradeep Geothermal program team
The Cascade Institute's reaction to the U.S. Department of Energy's $30M SUPERHOT program announcement. As Canada seeks to scale its own geothermal energy potential, this initiative is a reminder of the transformative possibilities that arise when vision, resources, and expertise converge.
Read More

Time to dig deep into a strategy for geothermal power

Peter Massie and Emily Smejkal
Strategic investments in innovation and a supportive policy context could build on a proven made-in-Canada model to position the country at the forefront of geothermal power.
Read More

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).
Read More

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).
Read More

Breaking New Ground: Geothermal in 2024

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).
Read More

Key to Canada’s Growth? Recall the Role of Public Money in Developing Alberta Oil

Emily Smejkal, Peter Massie, and Thomas Homer-Dixon
This Globe and Mail opinion piece explores the potential for Canada's AOSTRA model (Alberta Oil Sands Technology and Research Authority) to serve as a blueprint for support energy innovation.
Read More

Major Cascade Institute Funding to Power Up Geothermal Energy in Canada

Ultradeep Geothermal Program Team
The funding massively upscales Canada’s research and development efforts in geothermal power and supports its national commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 to address the climate crisis.
Read More

Deep Geothermal Superpower: Positioning Canada for a Breakthrough in Next-Generation Geothermal Systems

Cascade Institute Ultradeep Geothermal Team
This position paper outlines the case for ultradeep geothermal energy and offers a strategic plan for Canada to capture this technological opportunity.
Read More

Canada Needs to Dig Deep to Become a World Leader in Geothermal Technology

Rebecca Pearce and Ian Graham
A worldwide race for next-generation geothermal technology has begun – and Canada needs to get serious about joining, lest it fall to the back of the alternative-energy pack.
Read More

Every Politically Feasible Pathway to Net-Zero Requires a Technological Breakthrough

National Observer article by Scott Janzwood
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.
Read More

A big bet on geothermal could help prevent a climate catastrophe

Globe and Mail article by Thomas Homer-Dixon, Ian Graham, and Ellen Quigley — A government-industry research and development partnership in ultradeep geothermal would be a “moonshot” project that Canadians could rally around.
Read More