string(19) "[Energy-Geothermal]"

Northwest BC Geothermal & CCUS Assessment Project - Phase 1

Lead Researcher(s):  C. Hickson

Project ID:  2024-010

Key Research Organization(s):  Tuya Terra Geo Corp.

Project Location:  Northwest BC

Strategic Focus Area:  Energy-Geothermal

Summary



Geothermal energy resources can provide electrical power and/or heat (direct use), bringing potential economic development opportunities, particularly to remote communities. Public geoscience has been used successfully to develop predictive models to target specific resources and sites and to evaluate geothermal as a viable energy source, reducing risk for industry.

Carbon capture and storage opportunities can be found throughout the province in sedimentary rock basins and mafic-ultramafic rock bodies. Determining the location of suitable rock types for geologic carbon storage will determine where there may be opportunities to develop or co-develop geothermal and carbon storage opportunities in northwest BC.

The first phase of this project would recommend suitable areas of BC’s Northwest Region in which to undertake more in-depth geothermal assessments. An overview assessment of geological carbon storage opportunities will be included as a final deliverable.

Project Partners

 

 

 

 

 

How To Contribute

This Project is being developed by Geoscience BC and its members and partners. If you have data or would like to be a project partner, or in-kind or financial contributor please email info@geosciencebc.com.

The Need

Successful completed Geoscience BC studies of geothermal potential are already driving investment. In Southwest BC work in the Garibaldi Geothermal Volcanic Belt Assessment Project supporting the development of low carbon intensity hydrogen production, and in Northeast BC the Fort Nelson First Nation is developing its Tu Deh-Kah Geothermal project following significant Geoscience BC-supported research into geothermal potential at Clarke Lake Geothermal Pre-Feasibility Study.

Northwest BC hosts numerous volcanoes and hot springs, and therefore has potentially significant geothermal energy resources. This new study will help assess the geothermal resource potential of the region to guide development decisions by industry, communities, Indigenous groups and government.

Geologic carbon storage opportunities are being researched by Geoscience BC throughout the province, where sedimentary basins and ultramafic rocks are being assessed for their potential to store CO2.This project would add knowledge about potential opportunities for geologic carbon storage to a region with an extensive mining industry.

 

Project Goals

This Energy project fits under our Strategic Objective of Enabling Cleaner Energy.

Specifically, the Phase 1 scoping review goals are: 

  • Identification of priority areas for future desktop analysis and future exploration to support geothermal and CCUS development.
  • Foster collaboration among Indigenous communities, industry leaders, government entities, and academic institutions to ensure a comprehensive and inclusive project design.
  • Align with BC’s CleanBC Roadmap to 2030 and federal decarbonization goals, showing how geothermal energy and CO2 storage can contribute to broader climate action objectives.

Project Benefits

Geothermal energy generation can have a low environmental footprint and can provide stable baseload-power supply without the need for energy storage. Geological carbon storage is a long-term option for removing and safely storing CO2 in sedimentary basins or locked into carbonate minerals. Identifying opportunities for geological carbon storage will help identify areas and opportunities to permanently store atmospheric CO2. The foundational geoscience information generated by this project will give geothermal energy producers, communities, governments and Indigenous groups a better understanding of the potential geothermal resource at a suitable site in Northwest BC.

New tools and techniques can also be applied elsewhere to reduce risk and increase efficiency of exploration for geothermal potential.

Location

This research will target areas in BC’s Northwest Region.

Geoscience BC encourages anyone planning exploration work to first contact Indigenous groups in the area. The Province of British Columbia’s Consultative Areas Database can help with this (https://maps.gov.bc.ca/ess/hm/cadb/). The Association for Mineral Exploration (AME) also produces an Indigenous Engagement Guidebook.

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