INNOVATION March-April 2012

If and when developed, power projects “would vary from small scale of 5 MW, 20–100 MW to up to 200 MW” says Richter. As federal and provincial governments try and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, geothermal power could be an attractive option. “We are excited about BC’s geothermal potential” confirms a spokesperson for the BC Ministry of Energy and Mines. The Process In BC, companies nominate particular parcels of land they want to explore. Staff in the Ministry of Energy and Mines review requests and consult with First Nations, local governments and provincial agencies. If a

And where in Canada is that potential the greatest? The Canadian Cordillera, which stretches from BC to the Yukon and more specifically, three belts of young volcanic rock: the Garibaldi, the Anahim and the Stikine. According to Alexander Richter, Director of CanGEA, a geothermal resources report from 2007/2008 identified six geothermal projects in BC with a maximum potential of 1,550 MW. Other studies and other people are more optimistic. Thompson of Borealis GeoPower says “there’s probably somewhere between 3,000 and 5,000 MW of generating capability which could be brought into the BC system under the current pricing...that would represent roughly 40% of the current generating use of British Columbia.”

parcel is deemed appropriate for exploration, a public competition is held and tenure awarded through a sealed bid. Geothermal permits have annual work and rent requirements associated with them and must be renewed on a yearly basis. Permits can be converted to leases, which give production rights. Since 2009, seven geothermal permits have been issued. The Players and Their Properties Borealis GeoPower – Three permits at Canoe Reach, Valemount. Borealis conducted soil and biogeochemistry sampling in September 2011 and after 18 months, signed a joint venture agreement with both the Shuswap and the Simpcw First Nations, a significant milestone. “We just blew all the records out of the water; that’s unbelievably fast,” says TimThompson, CEO. Borealis is also working with the community on an agreement to sell it waste heat at below-market prices.

Alterra Power Corp

Winter geothermal drilling in Iceland.

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