Yukon-based columnist Keith Halliday says next-generation geothermal energy could play a vital role in the Canadian territory’s future. Economic commentator Halliday has a long list of opinion pieces written for multiple regional publications, including Yukon News and Tar Sands Diplomat. It is no surprise that many of Halliday’s articles focus on resource development and the environment in a territory primarily driven by mining and tourism. In a recent two-part series, the writer breaks down the past, present, and most importantly, the future of mining and resource extraction in light of global climate change initiatives and attitude shifts towards responsible resource development. Global demand for sustainable minerals like copper and zinc is increasing, and the Yukon has a unique opportunity to supply responsible resources while striving towards reduced emissions and world-wide climate goals.

On March 28, 2023, Chrystia Freeland, the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, tabled Budget 2023, A Made-in-Canada Plan: Strong Middle Class, Affordable Economy, and Healthy Future. Promoting the commercialization and viability of emerging clean technologies to enhance greenhouse gas reduction, job creation, and economic diversification remains a national priority. Various policy mechanisms, some of which are mentioned below, aim to advance this goal, including: Tax rate reductions for zero-emission technology manufacturers; Tax credits for clean electricity production; Investment tax credits for clean technology manufacturing; and Additional funding for the Strategic Innovation Fund.

Geothermal energy has long been recognized as a reliable and sustainable source of power but has struggled to gain widespread adoption due to high upfront costs and limited access to suitable geological formations. However, a new generation of startups is shaking up the geothermal industry with innovative technology and business models that could make it a more attractive option for investors and utilities. According to an article by Power Magazine, one such startup, Eavor Technologies, has developed a closed-loop geothermal system that eliminates the need for drilling into specific geological formations. Instead, Eavor’s system circulates water through a network of underground wells, using the natural heat of the earth to generate steam and power turbines. This system can be deployed in a wide range of locations, making geothermal power accessible to many more communities and industries.

Energy News Network published an article stating the U.S. Department of Energy pledged $1 billion to expand Puerto Rico’s solar energy systems. The island is striving to become less reliant on fossil fuels and integrate a more renewable source of energy into their grid.

Alexis Massol González, founder of solar project Casa Pueblo, is hopeful that the funds are funnelled to independent solar projects, as it would boost local energy autonomy and establish a more reliable source of power during natural disasters.

Casa Pueblo, according to Massol González, became an “energy oasis” during the fallout of Hurricane María in 2017, as people could use energy from the solar panels to make phone calls.

Energi Media recently featured Eavor’s director of business development, Paul Cairns, in an article about energy transitions in Alberta. CEO of Energi Media, Markham Hislop, spotlighted three clean energy stories in the article, highlighting Eavor’s technology and how it adopts methods that were created by the oil and gas sector for geothermal. It also gave context to Eavor’s motivation to provide a scalable, baseload or dispatchable source of clean energy that does not suffer from the same shortcomings of traditional geothermal or Enhanced Geothermal Systems. “There’s been lots and lots of time and energy put into extracting hot water from the earth, pulling that heat energy out of the water to make electricity or heating. It’s been done for a very long period of time,” said Cairns in the interview.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory published a comprehensive report on the uses of and momentum behind the rising wave of next-generation geothermal. Written by NREL’s communication project manager Kelly MacGregor, the article is a culmination of six months of immersive research into the world of geothermal and the current projects underway at NREL. Complete with educational infographics, photos of real-world geothermal technology in use, and plenty of blue links to satisfy thoroughly curious readers, the article delves into great detail about the uses, old and new, of earth-based energy. NREL is a laboratory under the US Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Rewenable Energy, and managed by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy LLC. With six national centres and collaborative research facilities across America, 16 research programs involving projects from bioenergy to grid modernization, and nearly 700 patents for proprietary technologies, NREL is undoubtedly a leading energy science institution.