The 2 campaigns may be over, but our mission certainly isn’t. With the $57,369 we’ve raised from these campaigns and via offline donations, we're breaking down policy barriers and raising public awareness of the opportunities of the geothermal power and heat industry in Canada.
In reality, the industry needs 10x our goal amount so that we can hire government relations professionals to assist us with our federal and provincial policy influencing efforts. This is vitally important because government relations professionals can get our message to those officials that will make a real difference, like what happens in every other industry such as wind, solar, oil & gas and mining. We’re trying to catch up and play at the same level as everyone else to get the same action.
We are now accepting contributions via the Donate PayPal Button at the bottom of our website as we prepare arguments on why Geothermal is a better option for the West than Site C Hydro or Coal Fired Power Plants.
Campaign Update:
Former Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, Brian Peckford, has spoken out in favour of CanGEA’s recent report. He agrees with the recommendation that a moratorium be placed upon the Site C project, while alternatives such as geothermal energy are fully investigated.
Mr. Peckford is often recognized for his instrumental role in the crafting of Newfoundland and Labrador’s successful energy sector. Amongst other positions, he served as the Minister of Mines and Energy and was also the Premier of the province from 1979 to 1989.
Read the letter here.
Looking for a cost-effective, clean and flexible source of energy? It is right under your
feet.
“... a failure to pursue research over the last 30 years into B.C.’s geothermal resources has left BC Hydro without information about a resource that BC Hydro thinks may offer up to 700 megawatts of firm, economic power with low environmental costs.”
- Site C Joint Review Panel, 2014
powEARTHful 2.0
BC currently has the opportunity to choose between a conventional, mega-dam project and a truly clean, stable and cost-competitive energy source.
You can help the BC Government make an informed decision so that generations to come are left with a legacy that everyone can be proud of. In the past, the geothermal potential of Canada has largely been ignored. However, as the Site C decision draws closer, Canada has the chance to finally demonstrate the feasibility of geothermal power.
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Kinbasket Lake, BC - Site of Canoe Reach Geothermal Project
What is geothermal energy?
Geothermal energy is a green source of reliable electricity and large scale direct use of (hot water) heat derived from the Earth. It can help solve some of Canada’s greatest challenges, namely providing energy security, economic growth and reducing our CO2 emissions. Geothermal energy is also the cleanest source of electricity and heat, using less land and producing fewer emissions than any other energy form.
Surmountable policy barriers in Canada are holding back the development of this renewable energy source that is already deployed in 73 countries.
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Canada is the only country in the Ring of Fire not currently advancing geothermal
Where will the funds go?
We are asking you today to fund "Geothermal Power: A Cost-Effective Alternative to Site C". This 10 Point Assessment of the True Value of Geothermal Energy finally sets the record straight, for British Columbia AND the rest of Canada.While it has recently been demonstrated by CanGEA that BC has enough cost-competitive geothermal energy potential to power the province, those claims are being disputed by BC Hydro and the BC Government in favour of the Site C mega-dam.
powEARTHful 2.0 Campaign proceeds will be directed towards our engineered resource estimate, financial modelling consulting costs, and the follow up required to act upon the report . With the Site C decision expected in December, it is imperative that our assessment is widely distributed, including follow-up briefings, to decision-makers, stakeholders and community-members before then.
Ways you can help
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About CanGEA
As a non-profit association, CanGEA has been working diligently since 2007 to promote the potential of geothermal energy in Canada through awareness raising outreach, research, and policy work.
Since our last crowdfunding campaign, we have accomplished many of the goals we have set out to do, such as:
- Hired a Policy Analyst that directly promotes geothermal power as a viable energy source to policy-makers and stakeholders
- Produced numerous policy reports and publications, including the Direct Utilization of Geothermal Energy: Suitable Applications and Opportunities for Canada
- Advanced our Industry Roadmap through Technology Transfer Workshops
- Created the Canadian National Geothermal Database and Provincial Resource Estimate Map for British Columbia
Resources and Publications
BC Geothermal Favourability Maps
Alberta Geothermal Favourability Maps
Direct Utilization of Geothermal Energy: Suitable Applications and Opportunities for Canada
Canadian Geothermal Projects Overview 2013
Geothermal Technology Roadmap: Global Best Practices Summary - Exploration through Generation
Geothermal Power & Direct Use of Heat Sector Supply Chain
An Assessment of the Geothermal Energy Sector in Canada - Now and in the Future
Related Press
DeSmog Blog, June 3, 2014
DeSmog Blog, October 7, 2014
Vancouver Sun, October 8, 2014
Energetic City, October 9, 2014
Globe and Mail, October 14, 2014
The Rocky Mountain Goat News, November 3, 2014
The Eco Report, November 6, 2014
UBC Clean Capital News, November 13, 2014
Vancouver Observer, November 18, 2014
Globe and Mail, November 25, 2014
Energetic City, November 25, 2014
DeSmog Blog, November 25, 2014
North Shore News, November 26, 2014
Kelowna Capital News, November 26, 2014
Gorilla Radio, November 26, 2014
Globe and Mail, November 30, 2014
The Eco Report, November 30, 2014
ReNew Canada, December 2, 2014
Hydrogen Fuel News, December 3, 2014
North Shore News, December 10, 2014
What has the powEARTHful campaign been about? Wanting to see our country choose a clean energy alternative that can produce green power and grow local food in greenhouses.
Developing our geothermal power and heat potential will create jobs, provide clean energy and tackle some of our greatest societal challenges. But, we are currently lacking government support.
Let's Tell Our Government That Clean Energy is a Choice We Want to Have
We want to choose a viable alternative that reduces our environmental footprint and boosts our economy. Together, we can make this a reality with geothermal electricity and heat. And, fortunately, we have an incredible amount of geothermal energy potential. We also have the expertise to be able to develop this clean, renewable source of power. The technology used for geothermal power production is globally established, and yet Canada is currently producing 0 MW of this power source. Yes, you read that right: ZERO. Zilch. None. Nada.
This is a Grassroots Campaign that will move our Clean Energy Industry Forward
Geothermal energy is a source of clean power and heat that provides renewable, competitively priced, around-the-clock energy. When we refer to geothermal energy, we are talking about geothermal power and heat, which is produced by accessing heat stored deep inside the Earth.
5,000 MW of Geothermal Power and Heat Can:
- Be built with the smallest environmental footprint of any electricity and heat source
- Offer a renewable energy base load option for the power grid (power 5 million households and simultaneously heat 750,000 homes)
- Eliminate 25 million tonnes/yr of CO2 emissions (equal to the entire installed Alberta coal-fired power plant fleet)
- Create 9,000 full-time jobs (3x the number of jobs created by Canada's offshore oil industry in Newfoundland and Labrador)
- Contribute to Canada's northern sovereignty by solving high power, heat and food costs in northern, First Nation and remote communities
- Create economic diversity through the myriad direct uses of geoheat (greenhouse fruits & vegetables, aquatic produce such as caviar & fish, tourism via hot springs & spas, and industrial processes like cement and pulp & paper manufacturing)
"We were amazed to see [the] simplicity and economical attributes of direct use of geothermal when we had a tour of [a direct use run] farm, where they used geothermal for aquaculture, agriculture and for other day to day applications."
- Piyush Bakane, University of Nevada, GRC
Why Aren't We Using It?
Well, geothermal electricity IS being used in 24 other countries, and over 80 countries incorporate geothermal direct use of heat into their energy mix. Canada has what it takes to develop our own geothermal industry (the resource, the expertise, the demand). As recently as 2010, members of the Canadian Geothermal Energy Association (CanGEA) produced more than 20% of the world's geothermal energy- just not in Canada. With our strong natural resources experience, we have the expertise and industry technology that will get this industry going here at home!
However, government support for geothermal energy lags. Current government policies are severely insufficient; supporting policies are necessary to help the industry reach critical mass and be on an equal playing field with conventional energy sources as it is in other countries.
With You, We Can Execute Our Plan
CanGEA is building an Industry Roadmap and Implementation Plan that will outline the necessary stepping-stones for Canadian policy makers and industry players to properly support our abundant and readily available geothermal opportunities. This Industry Roadmap is a series of market reports, resource favourability maps, databases and workshops that highlight Canada's geothermal potential.
Government and CanGEA member dollars have already helped complete some of the Roadmap, but it isn't complete yet. We need to establish financial support to be able to finish it and really influence government policy. In order to influence policy, we need a policy team…
With your contribution, we can:
- Hire a policy team that will lobby our government to put geothermal energy on a level playing field with other renewable and conventional energy sources
- Advance our Industry Roadmap
- Create local workshops to get information into the hands of the people who would benefit from geopower and heat while simultaneously training community organizers to keep the message alive
- Develop effective communication material that gets our message out in a clear voice
… All of which will bring us that much closer to making geothermal energy a reality in Canada.
"Canadians are internationally recognized for our natural resources and our ability to extract that resource. This Industry Roadmap is an amazing opportunity to engage our best geoscientists, engineers and business minds and show that with their knowledge and experience they can be an active partner in nurturing the geopower industry in Canada."
- Craig Dunn, Chief Geologist, Borealis GeoPower
(Source: Up Here Magazine, Liard River Hot Springs, cc) Hot Springs: A geothermal direct use of heat application.
Your Impact:
Our actions have great impact. Your contribution will directly create full time jobs, support northern and remote communities, encourage local greenhouse farming, power millions of homes, generate economic growth and reduce our environmental footprint while facilitating the development of a clean energy technology that we can rely on.
Your donation is a vote for clean, sustainable geothermal power and heat in Canada.
When we are aware of a reliable renewable energy alternative that has a capacity comparable to or better than conventional energy sources like coal, we will be empowered to make informed choices for ourselves."
- Julia Simone, Undergraduate, McGill University
Economic Opportunities Created by Geothermal Power and Heat
North America as a whole is endowed with vast geothermal resources. Mexico and the U.S. (which happens to be the world's #1 developer) are taking advantage of this gift. Canada is presently taking it for granted, even though it holds the potential to provide renewable and emissions-free baseload power. Another cool (or hot...) thing about geothermal energy is that you can use the water to heat a greenhouse or an aquaculture facility, or even clear the snow from your sidewalk!
Developing geothermal resources in remote communities and First Nations areas, both for power production and direct use, could offer an important means to diversify the economic base and potentially contribute the single largest capital investment in such areas, improving infrastructure and providing stable economic and social benefits for these communities."
Titi Kunkel, University of Northern BC
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(Source: Ram Power info@ram-power.com) Meager Creek, a potential geothermal power project in B.C
Canada's mining, oil and gas experience could play, and has played, a valuable part in the initial development of geothermal activities by Canadian players in Canada and overseas, particularly as it provides overlapping know-how and experience."
- Islandsbanki, an investment bank specializing in geothermal energy
What the Industry Needs
With $50,000, we can start on the right path by hiring a Policy Advisor. In reality, the industry needs 10x that amount so that we can hire a lobbyist to assist us with our federal and provincial government policy influencing efforts. When we meet our first funding goal, we will be that much closer to geothermal power and heat being on track with the other well-funded and recognized renewable and conventional energy sources.
Geothermal power and heat needs to be able to compete in Canada's energy mix. As has already happened in other industries in Canada, such as wind, solar and oil & gas, policies such as government grants, Feed-In-Tariffs and Renewable Portfolio Standards are necessary just to get the industry started and a foot in the door. Once the geothermal energy industry has built up and can sustain itself, as it has in many other countries, these programs become less and less necessary. There is enough geothermal power and heat potential in Canada for the industry to flourish- it will not need to rely on these programs for long, but it does need them to start.
Please participate in our campaign. You can Donate, Like, Share, Tweet, Google+, Leave a Comment Watch our Video, and view our media Gallery.
Who is CanGEA?
We are the Canadian Geothermal Energy Association (CanGEA), a member-based non-profit industry organization and group of passionate geothermal supporters. We know that at least 5,000 MW of power can be delivered to the Canadian and U.S. markets from Canada's geothermal resources. Meet Alison Thompson, the founder of CanGEA here.
"At least 5,000 MWe of geothermal power and thousands more MWth of heat can be installed in Canada and tackle some of our greatest challenges. That's enough electricity for about 5 million homes."
- Alison Thompson, Founder of CanGEA
For current information on where the powEARTHful movement is today, click on this link.