The Garibaldi Geothermal Volcanic Belt Evaluation Mission has created one of the complete research of geothermal potential vitality ever performed at Mount Meager, close to Pemberton, in addition to focussing on Mount Cayley southwest of Whistler. This main collaboration has included Geoscience BC, the Geological Survey of Canada, seven Canadian universities and the Líl̓wat and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Nations.
The analysis has already helped to draw new funding into Meager Creek Improvement Company’s Meager Creek geothermal challenge, the place the corporate plans to provide hydrogen from inexperienced geothermal electrical energy.
The extent of element gathered about geothermal methods at Mount Meager has allowed for brand new methods to be developed and examined there and at Mount Cailey. These evaluation methods can be utilized to scale back threat and improve effectivity of geothermal exploration initiatives elsewhere within the Garibaldi Volcanic belt, in Canada and internationally.
Greater than 50 stories, papers, maps and information information for Mount Meager and Mount Cayley can be found for obtain now from the Geoscience BC web site. An extra abstract and evaluation paper is anticipated to be revealed in 2025. Extra analysis papers will even be added to the online web page as they’re revealed.
Geothermal vitality has the potential to play a big function in Canada’s net-zero emissions future. Not like wind and solar energy, it’s not reliant on climate circumstances and so can help clear vitality methods with a constant degree of energy (baseload). Geothermal energy technology services have comparatively small footprints. Additionally they use comparable applied sciences to grease and fuel improvement, so present alternatives for employees in fossil gasoline industries to retrain.
Geological Survey of Canada Analysis Scientist and Geothermal Canada President Steve Grasby mentioned: “Important enhancements have been made in our understanding of geothermal potential of the Garibaldi Volcanic Belt. The big quantity of recent information collected wouldn’t have been potential with out the help of Geoscience BC. The publicly out there outcomes of this work will hopefully proceed to spur new curiosity within the exploration for renewable geothermal vitality in British Columbia as a part of the clear vitality transition.”
Geoscience BC Supervisor, Power and Water Randy Hughes mentioned: “This elementary, revolutionary and collaborative geothermal analysis gives the info that trade, communities, Indigenous teams, authorities and others must make choices about investing in clear vitality within the area.”
Meager Creek Improvement Company (MCDC) President Richard Hawker mentioned: “As we’ve got labored to construct the event plan for the MCDC challenge the standard of the work performed by Geoscience BC frequently impresses our crew. With out the info and stories developed by their crew we might by no means have gotten to the purpose we’re.”
What Subsequent?
Geoscience BC is searching for companions for additional geothermal analysis applications in BC.
