Logging operation in the winter (Photo courtesy of Voltage Wireline)

By Shaun Penner

Alberta No. 1

Testing confirms geothermal power generation potential south of Grande Prairie

Mar 12, 2021 | 11:06 AM

Alberta’s first geothermal energy facility planned in the MD of Greenview is one step closer to reality, after a test conducted on an inactive SECURE ENERGY well south of Grande Prairie has confirmed that the region has the potential to generate geothermal power.

No. 1 Geothermal LP, the owner of the project, says a recently completed, detailed temperature log returned a bottom hole temperature of 118 degree Celsius from a depth below 4,000 metres, which exceeds the minimum requirement of 100 degrees Celsius.

This means the geothermal plant planned for near the Greenview Industrial Gateway south of Grande Prairie, known as the Alberta No. 1 Geothermal Energy Project, is considered viable.

“We are quite encouraged by this test,” said Dr. Catherine Hickson, the CEO of Alberta No. 1 “We were also excited to have worked with SECURE ENERGY and Voltage Wireline to carry out this geothermal temperature log.

“This work continues to highlight the synergies between geothermal and oil and gas, demonstrating how Albertan expertise can make Alberta a leader in the geothermal space.”

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The plans for the facility were unveiled in August of 2019, as the federal government announced they would be putting $25.4 million into the estimated $50 million project through the Emerging Renewable Power Program.

The project is being developed and managed by Edmonton-based Terrapin Geothermics Inc, with the MD of Greenview serving as a limited partner in the project.

The plant would be located in the Gold Creek area south of Grande Prairie, located near the Greenview Industrial Gateway project (formerly known as the Tri-Municipal Industrial Partnership).

“This result provides us with confidence as we develop additional opportunities in this space,” said Stean Smith, Managing Partner of Terrapin Geothermics and Director of Alberta No. 1. “We see the Alberta No. 1 project as the first step in creating a robust geothermal energy industry in the province.”

Akita Drilling, an Alberta-based drilling company, has recently been signed to be the drilling provider for the exploration well of this project.

“We have always stewarded Alberta No. 1 as a geothermal project ‘built in Alberta by Albertans,’” said Dr. Hickson, CEO of Alberta No. 1. “We are excited to work with an Albertan company with world-class expertise as we deliver the next chapter of the Province’s energy story.”

The Alberta No. 1 project expects to be providing power to Alberta’s energy mix by 2024. It is expected to produce at least five megawatts electric net of electricity and 300 terajoules of thermal energy per year for local industries including forestry, manufacturing, and agriculture.

The project is expected to create more than 300 direct and indirect jobs.