Canada's Geothermal Energy Potential--Country Update

Abstract

It is estimated that the total accessible heat energy beneath the populated areas of Canada is 1025 Joules (i.e. 3 kW for each Canadian for 4 million years), exceeding the energy in Canada’s conventional oil reserves. Electrical energy from geothermal resources and geoexchange systems are officially classified by Natural Resources Canada as a ‘renewable’ energy, meaning that they operate without destroying finite natural resources. Current U.S. geothermal electric power generation totals over 3,000 MW; but there is current no (0 MW) electrical power generation from geothermal resources in Canada making Canada the only country on the Pacific Rim that has yet to exploit its geothermal resources for electricity production. With such incredible source of renewable energy, how is the Canadian market moving forward to develop this green energy resource?