Recent models of Canadian isotherms could map where next-generation geothermal projects are viable in Canada
A collaborative investigation between Clean Air Task Force, geo-data modelling company Seequent, and the University of Twente have mapped depths up to 450°C temperature in Canadian subsurfaces. An in-depth research paper presented at Geoconvention 2023 showed new models about “Earth’s lithosphere and the geodynamic environment thermal anomalies occur.” The intent behind these investigations is to harness a better understanding of where future next-generation geothermal operations could be most promising. According to the abstract, “…geothermal energy has seen an intensification of interest because it may provide cost-competitive, carbon-free, always available renewable energy, while requiring significantly less land than other energy sources. Increased exploration of geothermal resources is occurring along with a boom in technological innovations, with an eye towards exploration of deeper and hotter geothermal resources.”
Why drilling expertise is the bridge between oil and gas and Geoenergy
An opinion piece written by Andrew Howell and Karine Kleinhaus urges oil and gas companies, who have cut back on their reduction ambitions in the last year, to leverage their drilling expertise and expand into Geoenergy. “Large oil and gas operators can also play an important role in Geoenergy development, bringing technological expertise, a skilled workforce, and access to capital. There are signs that the industry is starting to wake up to the opportunity,” said Howell and Kleinhaus. The article highlights that venture capital leaders bp and Chevron have a combined investment of $40 million in Eavor, which is helping to expand a renewable energy source that is “always on” and occupies up to 88 percent less land per KWh than other sources of clean energy.
Geothermal prospects are gaining momentum in Japan: one power plant at a time
To provide clean energy for future generations, CEO and founder of supermarket chain Kobe Bussan, Shoji Numata is building a geothermal power plant on the island of Kyushu in southern Japan. The plant is scheduled to be completed within a year, and has potential to provide electricity to approximately 8,000 homes. “It’s a stable power source 24 hours a day, and it has the lowest carbon dioxide emissions among renewable energies,” Numata said in an interview with ABC News Australia. “I am determined to spend all the money I have for the sake of the next generation.”
Studies discover great geothermal potential in Singapore for district cooling opportunities
A site near the Sembawang hot spring in Singapore has recently been discovered to harbour water temperatures of 60°C to 90°C at a depth of 1.1km. This is hotter than water found at similar depths in many European countries. Furthermore, the geological landscape under Singapore contains suitable conditions for rock to retain a substantial amount of heat. This site and the Sembawang hot spring are located in the geological region called the Simpang Granite Pluton, where granite is found. Granite is rich in elements like uranium, thorium, and potassium, making it highly effective in both heat transfer and storage. Singapore’s demand for geothermal extraction from hot rock, for example, can be met with Eavor-Loop™ technology, as it harnesses underground heat through a closed-loop system. Furthermore, the very low land footprint makes these systems exceptionally compatible with high-density populated areas.
Estonian city set to explore earth-based energy for heating
Eavor’s proprietary closed-loop technology will be deployed in an exploratory district heating project in the Estonian city of Narva. Carlos Cariaga, reporter for energy news outlet ThinkGeoEnergy, covered the announcement of an agreement between Geothermal Baltic OÜ and Eesti Energia, otherwise known as Enefit, to develop a next-generation geothermal project using Eavor-Loop™ technology. Published on February 15, Cariaga’s article cites sustainability and energy affordability as major motivating factors driving the project.
Geothermal energy will soon provide direct heating to Salisbury District Hospital in the UK
GT Energy, a UK-based geothermal heat developer, has been selected by the Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust, in collaboration with the Carbon and Energy Fund (CEF), to provide direct heating for the Salisbury District Hospital NHS Trust in Wiltshire, England. According to ThinkGeo, the main objective of this project is to meet the hospital’s complete heat requirements (which currently exceed 20GWhth per year) through a long-term energy supply agreement. Additionally, while the project aims to seek funding from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) in the future, its progress is not dependent on receiving a grant from the PSDS. GT Energy will undertake the responsibility of de-risking and developing the geothermal project, such as initial geological feasibility studies to obtain necessary consents and overseeing the construction of wells and the energy centre. It’s anticipated that heat supply will begin as early as 2026, which is subject to regular planning processes, regulatory permits, and procurement cycles. Upon completion, GT Energy is expected to assume ownership and operation of the facility.
Chubu Electric Power Co. Inc. Participating in World’s First Commercial Eavor-Loop™
Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc. (“CHUBU”) has decided to participate in the world’s first geothermal power generation and district heat supply Eavor-LoopTM project (the “Project”) by Eavor Technologies Inc. (“Eavor”) in Bavaria, Germany, and has entered into an agreement to obtain equity shares of Eavor Erdwärme Geretsried GmbH (“Geretsried Project Company”), the operating company of the Project.
CHUBU will acquire shares in the Geretsried Project Company in the near future. Eavor is a Canadian global startup company that leads the world in the research and development of closed loop geothermal technology (the “Eavor-Loop Technology”), with the aim of full commercialization. CHUBU has acquired shares in the company (as announced on October 14, 2022).
Geothermal prospects in Turkey are heating up
Geothermal exploration activities are scheduled to commence in the Adana and Sivas provinces of Turkey. The General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration (MTA) has obtained the AR:18 License for an extensive area covering 4,983.5 hectares in the Adana province. As part of this license, the MTA intends to drill a well in the Kuzgun Village of Karaisali District, with an estimated project cost of approximately 10 million TL (equivalent to around USD 503,000). The planned borehole will reach a depth of 2,000 meters. In addition, the MTA has also planned geothermal exploration in the Yildizeli district of Sivas Province, which encompasses an area of 5,400 square meters within the larger 4,999-hectare territory covered by the AR:28 License. The drilling of proposed boreholes, expected to be 600 (+100) meters deep, will provide valuable information about the geothermal potential in the region.
Jesse Jenkins urges that huge changes to the electrical grid are needed to make the transition to clean energy
The American Federal Government is currently investing billions of dollars to expedite a transition to clean energy, and Professor at Princeton University and Eavor Advisor, Jesse Jenkins urges that huge changes to the electrical grid are needed to make that transition successful. Reporter Scott Patterson of the Wall Street Journal wrote an article detailing the importance of Jenkins and his team’s research at ZERO lab. This research contributed valuable insights towards climate laws and legislation that will efficiently reduce carbon emissions in the US. Jenkins attributed that he and his team’s main objective was to assist the government in achieving a climate law that “helped Senate staff target their most bang-for-the-buck provisions.” The article highlights that Jenkins and his team secured nearly $6 million in funds from nonprofit foundations, federal agencies, Bill Gates’s Breakthrough Energy, Google, and General Electric, which helped construct components of President Biden’s Build Back Better act. The act did not accumulate enough votes to be passed through the Senate; however, Jenkins’ research warned that if a bill wasn’t passed to incentivize a transition to a renewable power grid, emissions from the power sector would worsen by 2030.
Eavor’s Chris Cheng spoke at a panel dedicated to discussing sustainable solutions to increasing global energy demands
Chris Cheng, Manager, Development Engineering at Eavor, was invited to attend an event titled “Let’s Talk About… The Grid” as a panelist to discuss clean energy and human impact at the Calgary Central Library. Cheng was joined by Richard Harrison (poet, essayist, and editor), Eveline Kolijn (printmaker and Installation artist), Kelly Edzerza-Bapty (architect and industrial designer), and Maggie Hanna (geologist, scientist, and communicator) to share ideas about human ambition and the utilization of clean energy. The panel was a supplement and basis for the presentation of a new art installation called “The Electromagnetic Field,” made by artists Allora and Calzadilla.
Drilling commences with bit dedication ceremony for the world’s first commercial Eavor-Loop™ in Geretsried
Construction work for the world’s first commercial Eavor-Loop™ in Geretsried is entering an important phase. Following the traditional drilling bit dedication ceremony, drilling operations will begin on Drill Site A. Drilling operations are also scheduled to start on the second drill site in a few weeks. Two of the largest drilling rigs in Europe will be used. They will be used in parallel to construct an underground heat exchanger using Eavor-Loop™ technology at a depth of 4,500 meters, which will produce reliable energy for municipal heating and power supply without hydrothermal deposits.
Hawaii pushes for more investments to fund further geothermal research
Hawaii State Senator Glenn Wakai has proposed bills that would provide additional funding for the Hawaii Groundwater and Geothermal Resources Center (HGGRC), which is located at the University of Hawaii. Senate Bill 458: Relating to Geothermal Royalties, was proposed earlier this year by the state to cap royalties collected by the state of Hawaii, and redistribute more of those royalties to Hawaiian counties. The purpose of this redistribution is to fund geothermal research projects, specifically to further discovery and development of geothermal resources.
