Public Awareness and Opinion on Deep Geothermal Energy in the context of Shale Gas Exploration in the Province of Québec, Canada

Abstract

As deep geothermal energy is currently not widely known, except in regions where it is being exploited, public outreach and acceptance associated with this technology is a key factor for its implementation. In fall 2013, an internet-based public awareness and opinion survey of Québec province residents was conducted. It investigated Québécois’ opinion about energy with a focus on their knowledge and opinion about deep geothermal energy. The survey was conducted after a strong public protest against shale gas. The Québécois recognized the challenge of developing renewable energies. Indeed, 52% of the respondents agreed with the fact that one of Québec's objectives should be to locally produce the maximum amount of renewable energy to export as much of this energy as possible. However, geothermal energy was more or less known as 56% of the Québécois said they knew a little or nothing about this energy source. Among the respondents who had already heard of geothermal energy, only less than 17% knew the difference between shallow and deep geothermal energy. After reading a short text describing deep geothermal exploitation, 67% of the Québécois supported its use to produce electricity in the province, and 64% would be in favor of a pilot project in their region. Shale gas exploration intensified in 2010 in southern Québec leading to a strong public protest and debate in the province. In that context, oil and gas exploration activities have almost been stopped since 2011. Thus, the survey also looked at the impact of the shale gas controversy on public opinion about deep geothermal energy since hydraulic fracturing may be involved to stimulate reservoirs. In the region where shale gas exploration was more intense and which is propitious to deep geothermal, 70% of the respondents were supportive of the use of deep geothermal energy to produce electricity and 67% would be in favor of a pilot project in their region. After learning that hydraulic fracturing is sometimes required, 56% of all the respondents supported the use of deep geothermal energy to produce electricity in the province and 52% of them would support a pilot project in their region. Survey results also revealed a similar decrease of acceptance among respondents located in the region where shale gas exploration was more intense. Thus, even in the case of a pilot project in their region knowing that hydraulic fracturing could be used, the majority of the Québécois are still favorable to such a project. The social context in a region where shale gas activities are underway may not seem, at first sight, the best that exists to help a potential deep geothermal project to become accepted by the local community. However, it was found that there was no major difference in the acceptance of such a project in this particular region compared to the rest of the province. Nevertheless, in the case of implementing a deep geothermal project in this region, it would be wise to prepare an information and consultation plan to particularly address the myths and concerns linked with hydraulic fracturing.